Expert Answers in

ANSWER – Yes, you can bond directly to CMU if it is properly prepared.  Normally it is not completely plumb and flat.  It can be ground down and evened up with thin-set.  CMU is a…

ANSWER – Chances are the stone that you have may be over-burden granite or a type of metamorphic stone called gneiss, which commonly is sold as granite.

Often these types of stones are very colorful…

ANSWER – What you have described sounds like a condition we see in some stone floors called “indent fracture.”   Many times you can’t see it unless light shines on it from a certain angle and…

ANSWER – Yes you should definitely grout the wall tile in your shower.

In theory it shouldn’t matter if you grout or not (if you like that look), but from experience we have found that…

ANSWER – Yes you can install 18 x 18 inch ceramic tiles or stone tiles over a backer board in the shower and over drywall in the adjacent bathroom wall area if done correctly.  Most…

ANSWER – The mildew on the surface of the shower floor is an indication that perhaps water is trapped in the shower pan and is not able to escape to the drain, assuming you have…

ANSWER – Hiring the right installer is the difference between a delightful result and a nightmare.  Most installers don’t go to school to learn the trade, so even with good intentions, more often than not…

ANSWER – All stone or ceramic tile installations should have a grout joint for two basic reasons.  First reason is that tiles will vary in size to some degree and the grout joint allows the…

ANSWER – Using different types of tiles in the same installation can be done if you like the blend of colors.  You do need to adjust for different facial dimensions and different thicknesses from one…

ANSWER – Beware that there are many thin underlayments sold as sound control mats for ceramic tile and stone installations that do not significantly reduce sound transmission under certain floor configurations.  The product data sheet…