Perhaps you have a newly built or recently remodeled home with a beautiful natural stone floor. Suddenly, you start seeing some cracks in the marble flooring. How can this happen? What could be the cause? The installers may not have added the additional layer of plywood underlayment required … [Read more...] about This is the Reason your Marble Floor Will Be Higher than Adjacent Flooring
5 Ways to Handle Uneven Floor Transitions
This post will cover 5 different tile transition strips for uneven floors. Technically, one of them isn't a strip, but we'll get to that. The reason you are here is that you have: But first, have you considered... Making Your Uneven Tile Floors... Even? I've written two posts, one … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Handle Uneven Floor Transitions
Tile Edges Chipping When You Cut? Here are 5 Reasons Why.
Are you struggling with chipped tile edges when you're cutting tiles? It's not uncommon. What's the cause? Are you doing something wrong? Perhaps it's the equipment? Here are 5 possible reasons for chipped tile cuts and what you can do to smooth things out. 1. Smoothing the cut First … [Read more...] about Tile Edges Chipping When You Cut? Here are 5 Reasons Why.
How to Repair Your Shower Drain Weep Holes
Shower drain weep holes play a crucial role in maintaining proper drainage in a tile shower. These small openings allow excess water to escape from the shower base. This can help prevent mold, mildew smells, and standing water. Ensuring that these holes remain clear is essential for … [Read more...] about How to Repair Your Shower Drain Weep Holes
One Thinset from Home Depot will do 80% of your Tile Installations
"How do non-pros know what Home Depot thinset they should buy?", I wondered to myself as I walked the tile aisle's at my local Home Depot. My local store had 9 different bagged varieties of thinset mortar that cost anywhere from $6/bag to $60! This is in addition to the premixed tile adhesives … [Read more...] about One Thinset from Home Depot will do 80% of your Tile Installations
Why liquid waterproofing is a bad idea for a shower pan
There's more than one way to waterproof a shower. But liquid waterproofing is an especially enticing method for building a watertight shower pan, particularly with DIYers. So, here's the thing: Why shouldn't you build a shower pan with liquid waterproofing? What is the issue? Liquid … [Read more...] about Why liquid waterproofing is a bad idea for a shower pan
Anti-Fracture vs Crack Isolation vs Uncoupling Membrane: What’s the difference?
You don't want your tile to crack so you're going to put some sort of crack suppressant under your tile. Yet, as you research, you realize all of these products seem to do the same thing. What gives? Why three different names for the same function? As the old saying goes, "the devil is in the … [Read more...] about Anti-Fracture vs Crack Isolation vs Uncoupling Membrane: What’s the difference?
7 Compelling Reasons the Noble Freestyle Linear Drain is the Best Drain for Your Shower And 3 Reasons it Isn’t
When it comes to shopping for linear drains, the Noble Freestyle Linear Drain is a stellar choice. I've been installing tile full-time for nearly 30 years and this is my go-to linear drain. It's not perfect but it's very well-engineered. This post explains why I feel that way. Noble … [Read more...] about 7 Compelling Reasons the Noble Freestyle Linear Drain is the Best Drain for Your Shower And 3 Reasons it Isn’t
1/2 x 1/2 inch Square Notch Trowel: The Worst Trowel for Large Format Tile?
The 1/2 x 1/2 inch square notch trowel is one of the most popular notch trowel sizes for large format tiles. The notches are big and deep with this trowel. That's a good thing as you need more mortar for bigger tiles. So, what's the problem with it? The 1/2-inch square notch trowel has a … [Read more...] about 1/2 x 1/2 inch Square Notch Trowel: The Worst Trowel for Large Format Tile?
Tile Notched Trowel Buyer’s Guide
Notch trowels for tile are one of the tools that generate the most questions. I'm a professional tile installer that started setting tile in 1996. These are the trowels that I and other tile installers use. We use different-sized trowels for different purposes. Down below, you'll see … [Read more...] about Tile Notched Trowel Buyer’s Guide
