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Expert Answers in Workmanship
Caulk
Concrete Substrate Slab
Efflorescence Staining
Expansion Joints
Expert Answers
Exterior
installation
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Installation Products - Adhesives
Limestone
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Workmanship
Should I Install Limestone Coping on my Pool?
Always take what the contractor says with a grain of salt and make sure there is documents backing it up. Don’t assume they are doing things correctly and read the directions that they likely don’t…
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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Expert Answers
failures
Free Tile and Stone Installation Guidelines
installation
Installation Guidelines
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stone
Stone Restoration
Workmanship
How do I find a new Tile Installer to Fix or Complete my Tile Installation
ANSWER - It is very difficult to find a qualified tile installer to fix problems caused by another installer or to get them to complete an incomplete tile installation. The qualified installer doesn't want to…
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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…
Read MoreWhat are the standards for the proper alignment for tile installations?
ANSWER - ANSI A108.02 are the standards for tile installer workmanship. Some of the standards are quantitative, but many are qualitative and subjective. The only reference to alignment is that the tile should be installed…
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cleaning
Expert Answers
Maintenance
Moisture Problems
Physical Properties
sealers
Spalling
stone
Workmanship
Why do I now have Problems with my Limestone After it was Cleaned and Re-Sealed?
ANSWER - Refinishing or restoration of stone floors is a common maintenance process. There are many levels and degrees of what that might involve. Typically the stone floor will be cleaned with cleaning solutions and…
Read MoreWhat is the allowable Lippage for Cleft/Ungauged Natural Stone?
ANSWER: According to the NSI-MIA Dimension Stone Design Manual VIII, the maximum allowable lippage (the amount of vertical difference between two adjacent tile edges) for a calibrated smooth finished natural stone is 1/32". Although the…
Read MoreWhat is the standard if a Stone Fabricator damages a slab and they can't find a matching replacement?
ANSWER - It isn't clear from your description exactly what the conditions are, but generally speaking, if you have a countertop that is book-matched or if the veining is contiguous, and one of the slabs…
Read MoreWhat are the Standards for how to Finish the Grout in a Tile Grout Joint?
ANSWER - Per ANSI A108.10 Installation of grout in Tilework, it says that all grout joints shall be uniformly finished. Cushion edge tile shall be finished evenly to the depth of the cushion. The grout…
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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Expert Answers
Inspections
installation
Installation Guidelines
Lippage
Movement Joints
Standards
Workmanship
How can I verify if my tile was installed correctly?
ANSWER - Unfortunately it is difficult for consumers to determine how to select qualified tile installers. Most installers haven't had any formal education on how to install tile nor do they know what the industry…
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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Expert Answers
Grout
Installation Guidelines
Movement Joints
Standards
Workmanship
Are there Tolerance Standards for Grout or Caulking Joint Width Variation?
ANSWER - You are correct to install caulked movement joints at the perimeters and inside vertical corners of the tile installation. Caulk should be an ASTM C920 silicone sealant per TCNA EJ171 standards.
The ceramic…
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