Expert Answers in

ANSWER - Staining natural stone isn’t something that is recommended by the natural stone industry.  Using enhancer sealers is what is typically done, but they only last so long.  So if you want to maintain a…

Answer - The ASTM F1869 Calcium Chloride membrane was the dominate test for years and depending on the tile installation manufacturer they would request a value of anywhere from 3% to 12% per 1,000 sf…

ANSWER - What is called Shade Variation is normal in the tile industry, but what is considered reasonable variation depends... In the industry we have what is called in ANSI A137.1 Aesthetic Classes, which is…

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.…

ANSWER - If the tiles are 12x12 inch in size, it probably is the Franciscan Terra Floor Waves series.  They had many different colors.  It was an extruded glazed tile that was very durable and…

ANSWER - Grout joints in a 12x24 inch tile should be at least 1/8" wide otherwise the grout can't fill the joint as it should.  If the grout joint is 1/16" or less then chances…

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…

ANSWER -  We have seen where the installer will cover the entire tile with thin-set adhesive (back buttering) and then use globs or spots of the adhesive to attach the tile.  This is not an…

ANSWER -  If the tile was installed correctly and had adequate movement joints installed, the water flooding should not have caused the tile to debond.  Unless the water leak in the slab created a hydrostatic…

ANSWER - The closed-cell foam backer rod is suppose to be wider than the movement joint.  You can compress a 1/4" foam backer rod into a 1/8" wide movement joint. The backer rod serves two…