Expert Answers in Wet Areas

ANSWER - Excessive efflorescence staining (generally a whitish substance) on stone, tiles,  grout, or adjacent surfaces is a generally a symptom of an excessive…

ANSWER -  First of all, tile applications installed on shower walls should not bow or crack.   What you describe sounds like it is a shrinkage problem in the floated wall mortar bed.  You didn't…

ANSWER -  If only the grout is cracking, and not the tile, then normally grout cracks due to excessive movement in the tile assembly for one reason or another. There are many different types of tile assemblies,…

ANSWER - The tile nor the stucco should be installed directly over plywood.  The plywood will expand and warp when exposed to moisture. The balcony should be fully waterproof with a slope to drain.  If it…

ANSWER - First of all, green board is not an acceptable substrate in a wet area per the tile and stone industry standards, and per the Gypsum GA-216.   Green board is water resistant but will…

ANSWER - It is possible to adhere the travertine tiles directly to the steel.  There is no need or value to use backer board in an application such as this. The steel has to be scarified…

ANSWER - Sorry you having a problem with your limestone.  Limestone normally does well in shower areas. I have seen this type of staining before.  There are a number of variables and factors that can…

ANSWER - I just wrote an article for the Construction Specifier that will be published in May 2013 that talks about this type of problem and potential causes. Key things to look at are: 1.…

 ANSWER - I don't know if you have a mat glazed or unglazed ceramic tile on your shower walls, but either way, you can apply a penetrating sealer on the tile surface, which will act…

ANSWER - First of all, if you have cracked tiles that suggests that there is an underlying problem.  Cracks in the shower can lead to leaks in areas that could cause other water damages within or…