Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Hollow Sounding Tiles Standards

Should my Porcelain Tile Sound Hollow over Schluter-Ditra Uncoupling Membrane?

ANSWER - Hollow sounding tile is not considered a defect.  It can be an indication that there are voids under tiles or that the tile or the underlying components are not bonded for one reason…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Debonding Tile Expert Answers failures Standards

Why is our porcelain tile debonding?

ANSWER - Considering it is a porcelain tile, I would think that the warped corners were that way when they were installed.   Porcelain tiles are not moisture sensitive and they would not be expected to…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Hollow Sounding Tiles installation Lippage Movement Joints Standards

What are Expansion Joint or Movement Joint Requirements for Porcelain Tile planks?

ANSWER -  There are standards for what is acceptable tile lippage.  Hollow sounding tiles are not a defect in itself, but a hollow sound may or may not be an indication there is an underlying defect.…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers installation Lippage Standards stone

What is the allowable Tile Lippage for an 18" x 18" tile?

ANSWER - Allowable tile lippage for ceramic tile, including porcelain tile, which is a type of ceramic tile, is based on the grout joint width and the amount of allowable warpage that the tile itself exhibits.…

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Counter tops Expert Answers selection Slab Standards stone

The granite sample I approved does not match the granite countertop I received. What can I do about it?

ANSWER - Based on the few photos you provided, I don’t think the white background sample you approved is representative of the salmon background countertop that you got. Read More

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Standards stone Workmanship

Are there standards for tile installation workmanship?

ANSWER - Yes there are industry standards for workmanship.  ANSI A108 .08-2013 4.0 General requirements for tile installations provides many of the workmanship requirements for the installation of tiles. Walls cannot be out of plumb,…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers installation Installation Guidelines Standards stone

How to Achieve 95% Thin-set Mortar Contact when Installing Tile versus Spot Bonding?

ANSWER - Per ANSI A108 and per the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tiles they say that the thin-set adhesive coverage under the tile should be 80% with full support along tile edges…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Grout installation Movement Joints Standards

What is the allowable tolerance for tile grout head joint widths?

ANSWER - I am assuming that when you say head joint that you are referring to the vertical grout joint on the 12" short side of the 12 x 24 inch tile you are installing…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Inspections installation Standards

Are there standards for how ceramic tile installations can be inspected?

ANSWER - There is no standard for how to inspect a tile installation after it is installed.   There are ceramic tile standards in ANSI-A137.1 that give instructions on how to inspect tiles, which have not…

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Expert Answers selection Standards stone

What is First Choice Marble?

ANSWER - There is no industry standard for defining what is first choice natural stone.  Unlike ceramic tile that defines Second Grade tiles as tiles meet the ANSI A137.1 requirements other than for facial defects,…

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