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
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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?
Here is how you can lay tile over an old wood plank subfloor
You're renovating your home and found weird planks over the floor joists instead of plywood. What do you do now? Are your hopes of installing tile floors now shattered? Are you going to have to settle for *gasp!* LVP flooring? Take a deep breath. Here are some ways you can prepare your floor … [Read more...] about Here is how you can lay tile over an old wood plank subfloor
Does your floor meet minimum structural requirements for tile?
You want to install new tile on your floor but you're not sure if your floor is rated for it. Maybe you had tile previously and they were cracked and coming loose? Perhaps, you had a vinyl or carpet floor and wonder if the floor is engineered for tile? This post will help you understand the … [Read more...] about Does your floor meet minimum structural requirements for tile?
Yes, you can tile over drywall under these 3 conditions
With so many specialized tile backer boards and underlayment out there, it's not crazy to wonder if it's OK to tile directly over drywall. I'm here to tell you it is OK. As long as you follow these three rules: If you can meet these three conditions, tiling over drywall is perfectly OK. Also, … [Read more...] about Yes, you can tile over drywall under these 3 conditions
Ditra-Heat-Duo: The Good, the Bad, and the Warm
Ditra-Heat-Duo is a great product as long as you use it properly. However, it's not unusual for people to expect this product to do more than what it's capable of. Consequently, that's where the disappointment comes in. Let's talk about Ditra-Heat-Duo and determine what it does well and … [Read more...] about Ditra-Heat-Duo: The Good, the Bad, and the Warm
Do I Need Concrete Floor Insulation under Tile Floor Heat?
Yes. You will need to insulate your concrete floor before installing tile floor heat. Please don't go to the time and expense of installing electrically heated floors only to have it heat the entire concrete slab. The questions are: Let's dive in! Why Radiant Heat Insulation is … [Read more...] about Do I Need Concrete Floor Insulation under Tile Floor Heat?
Electrically Heated Floors: 10 Violations You Don’t Want to Commit
Installing electrically heated floors is not overly difficult. However, there are some definite do's and don'ts that you want to comply with. That's what this post is about. Ten sins that you don't want to commit when installing electric floor heat. 1. Not checking the resistance You … [Read more...] about Electrically Heated Floors: 10 Violations You Don’t Want to Commit
A Look at 3 Types of Electric Floor Heat Systems
You've decided to add an electric floor heat system to your renovation. Only now, you need to know which of the following types is the best for you: This post will cover the advantages and disadvantages of each heat system so you can make an educated decision. Once you figure out which system … [Read more...] about A Look at 3 Types of Electric Floor Heat Systems
Use These 7 Schluter Ditra Installation Tips and Avoid Problems (in 2023)
This post contains 7 real-world tips for installing Ditra. I'm a 25+ year tile installer and I use all of these tips when I install uncoupling membranes. First, let's clear up a couple of things: Here are the 7 installation tips: Ditra Installation Tip 1: Mix Your Thinset … [Read more...] about Use These 7 Schluter Ditra Installation Tips and Avoid Problems (in 2023)
