Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Exterior Free Tile and Stone Installation Guidelines installation Installation Guidelines Pool and Spa Repairs stone

Can I Install Mosaic Tiles over an Old Eroding Sandstone Flagstone Tile?

ANSWER - I assume this is an exterior application of the sandstone in a flagstone irregular shape.  Sandstone is Quartz stone from a geological point of view, but it is a class 1 that is…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Hollow Sounding Tiles Repairs stone

How do you repair hollow sounding tiles?

ANSWER - Hollow sounding tiles is not a defect per se.  Depending on the substrate and installation materials and methods being used the tile can have a hollow sound without anything being wrong. On the…

Read More
Counter tops Expert Answers Maintenance Polished Repairs Stains stone

How do I remove a smudge on my new Granite Countertop?

ANSWER - Many natural stones that are produced around the world are treated with a type of sealer to enhance the color of the stone.  If some type of solvent gets on the countertop e.g.…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Concrete Substrate Slab Expert Answers Flood Leak Moisture Problems Repairs

Will residual water from a leak cause damage to my tile installation?

ANSWER - If the tile was installed correctly the residual water/moisture should not harm the tile.  Tile is often installed in showers, fountains, and pools and the moisture should not harm them as long as…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers failures Grout Leak Movement Joints Repairs Sealant Caulk Showers Waterproofing Wet Areas

Is it alright to use Silicone Sealant to fix a Shower Leak?

Answer: First of all, all of the transition joints in the shower both horizontal and vertical should not have been grouted with a cementitious grout.  They should have been filled with an ASTM C920 resilient sealant…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Debonding Tile Expert Answers failures Hollow Sounding Tiles installation Repairs

What can I do about my failed tile floor in the home I bought 1 year ago?

ANSWER - It sounds as though your tile installation has failed and is debonding. It is likely due to compounding deficiencies in how it was installed. The substrate may have not been properly prepared. The tile…

Read More
Expert Answers Repairs sealers Stains

Why does my Granite show white powdery streaks after applying sealer?

ANSWER - First of all the data sheet for Mapei Ultracare says not to install it on the surface of the tile.  It sounds like that is what you did. I'm not sure why it…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers installation Lippage Repairs

When is it necessary to replace an entire tile installation versus only make repairs of tile deficiencies?

ANSWER - There is no standard that says whether an entire installation should be replaced versus repaired based on the percentage of deficiencies. We always provide the option for repairing.  From an installer point of view…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Hollow Sounding Tiles Repairs Waterproofing Wet Areas

How do I make Repairs on Schulter Ditra Mat?

ANSWER -  First of all having tiles that sound hollow is not a defect in itself.  Normally when tiles are installed over a membrane of some sort; like Ditra it will cause hollow sounds because…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Maintenance Repairs Slip Resistance

How can we restore a tile floor that was etched to be more slip resistant?

ANSWER - The trade-off of etching a tile floor to make it more slip resistant is that it will alter the appearance of the tile and the tile can be come more difficult to clean…

Read More