Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers installation Plywood Substrate Waterproofing

Is it required to have a Waterproof Membrane under a Floor Tile Installation in a Mud Room, Laudry Room or in a Bathroom floor

ANSWER - It depends on what type of mat was used over the plywood on whether it is an acceptable installation method.  Although it would be ideal to install a waterproof membrane in areas that…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Debonding Tile Expert Answers failures Grout Installation Guidelines Showers Standards Waterproofing Workmanship

How do we determine what caused our Tile Shower to Fail?

ANSWER - You are asking a lot that can't be answered without performing a forensic inspection to determine what is causing the failures.  I can make some general statements that may or may not apply…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers installation Installation Guidelines Showers Standards Steam Showers Waterproofing

Is it a problem if Schluter Ditra is installed on the walls of a Steam Shower?

ANSWER - Based on the Schluter literature, although they only show floor applications, they don't say it is only for floors. The Ditra is waterproof if installed correctly for waterproofing.  It does have a key…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Efflorescence Staining Expert Answers installation Installation Guidelines Moisture Problems Remodeling Vapor Barrier Waterproofing

What should we do if there is evidence that there is high Moisture coming up our Concrete Slabs?

ANSWER - Carpet might be allowing the moisture to evaporate through it, but as dirty as carpets get you could develop some microbial growth in the carpet.  Adding more carpet doesn't solve or prevent problems.…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers installation Installation Guidelines stone Waterproofing

Is it necessary to waterproof under tile installations?

ANSWER - It depends on the application on whether waterproofing under a tile installation is necessary.  If it is in a wet application and in some exterior applications, then it is necessary to waterproof the…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cracks Deflection Expert Answers failures Grout installation Movement Joints Repairs Sealant Caulk Waterproofing Wet Areas

How do I repair the Horizontal Grout Joint between the Bathtub and the Tile wall?

ANSWER -  The transition joint between the top of the bathtub flange and the wall tile is not supposed to be filled with a cementitious grout.  It should be filled with a resilient ASTM C920…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Exterior installation Installation Guidelines Installation Products - Adhesives Standards stone Vapor Barrier Waterproofing

What kind of Water Resistant Barrier or Vapor Barrier should be used For Exterior Tile Veneer Installations?

ANSWER  - W244E can be a ceramic or glass tile or a stone application for an exterior framed wall with cement backer board over it.   If it is a cementitious backer board then they would put…

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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…

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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…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers failures Grout installation Leak Moisture Problems Movement Joints Standards Waterproofing Wet Areas

Why is my Tiled Balcony Leaking and How Can I fix it?

ANSWER - When there is a problem it normally is not due to one deficiency, but due to multiple compounding deficiencies. You state that the peel and stick moisture barrier was properly installed.  If if…

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