Q:It‘s been a while since I have done tile, but I remember we used to use sheetrock to cover the floor or for back splash wall, however I don‘t remember what it was used for. Is there special cases when you need to use it or do I need to use it every time? What is the purpose to use the sheetrock?Please help. Thanks.

It may have been sheetrock that you remember but more than likely it was some type of special backer product that resembled Sheetrock but was made specifically for use under tile. There are several types available at Lowe's like hardibacker or durarock. Both of these products are designed to be placed on the surface to be tiled before the tile is applied and act to stiffen the substrate. In other words they make the surface that the tile goes onto into one big solid piece as opposed to several sheets of plywood. The benefit of this is that is keeps the tiles from moving in relation to each other which will cause the grout lines in between them to crack and gap. These products are generally put down, when tiling floors, on top of a layer of mortar same as you spread mortar to hold the tiles down. Ans then these backer boards are nailed down with roofing nails and the joints are mortared and usually taped like drywall joints are. Then more mortar is spread on top of these boards and the tile is set into this mortar. Floors generally use the 1/4 thick backer board and when applying on walls the 1/2 backer is used. Just nail to the studs and paint with a waterproofing paint then mortar and apply tiles. Good Luck.

Q:My wife sent me to pick up some used floor tile. It still has the stuff (plaster? grout? whatever?) on the back of the tile. Can this be reused? Do I have to get the old stuff off? It is on there pretty uniformly.

You could use this again if you want. The biggest thing is the thinset mortar on the backs and grout on the edges. If the mortar on the back is uniform, there's not much problem, but it will add to the overall height of the floor. You will also need to pay attention when re-installing to keep your top surface uniform (flat so that you don't have raised or low corners). As for grout on the sides, it can be removed painstakingly using some ceramic tile nippers. If there's a lot on the surface of the tile, it may be hard to get it cleaned effectively so that all looks good. Bottom line, you can reuse it. However, there could be a lot of labor involved in getting it ready for installing it. Unless it was really special, I'd look for something new - especially if you're going to install it in a large area.

Q:How to distinguish between good and bad tiles

Third, as long as the bottom of a more economical. Now I realize that in fact what paint is good. Hi or the master of the end of a light even in the eyes of my paint workers are not covered, take the initiative to brush the second time (the paint is my purchase, wages are fixed) after both the uniformity of color and wall The light fineness is quite different. I believe that the master in the United States or hi Canada in Canada should be publicity on both sides of the bottom. While the domestic publicity is to let the buyer feel that there is not the feeling of expensive only Bale. And the two paint is easy to wash the function is not how. My two friends are the decoration boss, their home is the most common use of the state forever forever. Blowing for two days without taste. 2, buy a wall paint must buy a small piece of light on the 1st color. After a large area of ??color will appear deep. 3, if there is later to fill out the wall, be sure to see whether the original wall and the same plane, I was to brush over the wall paint installed when the baseboard was found, knocked back;

Q:tiles at the top of my pool have fallen off, these tiles are in the water. what is best or suggested adhesive to reinstall them?

If you are redoing your tile,it means they have fallen off from one of two things: 1)movement.....clean the areas where tiles fell off with alcohol,then use silicone to put tiles back on and colored silicone for the grout....wipe excess silicone off tile face with scour pad and dish soap..looks fantastic and gives a little with movement! 2)water got behind tile..you must first fix mastic around pool or area where water is getting behind tile,then put tiles back on as above....the area must be bone dry before you atempt to put tiles back on....alcohol helps dry and clean..

Q:why is waterproofing done before grouting?why do we need to let the mortar/adhesive dry before grouting?

You should use special green board for the shower. It is water resistant not water proof. This gives the best base for the tiles. You should leave the adhesive set up totally before grouting because the gases that are in the glue need a place to go. This includes thin set mortar because of the water vapor it out gases. Good luck

Q:Can you have tile insalled in your kitchen w/o using grout in between tiles? Or, can you space the tiles very close together so there is very little grout? I just keep hearing about how hard it is to clean grout.

dont go without grout, use a minimum of 1/16 inch space. for this small of a grout space, you must use unsanded grout........

Q:Can you give me your opinion? White beveled subway tiles with dark gray marble floors, or mahogany brown large rectangular floors with matching size walls in beige tile? I was thinking of adding a glass border for accent, the tile store lady told me to put it up high, one right below the last cut of tiles as opposed to between the faucet and mirror. Do I still stick with the white toilets and bathtub? PLEASE help!Thanks

This is a beautiful piece. If you want a bright atmosphere, the dark floor might be too overwhelming. Have you considered floor tile in the green shade of the sink? Gray is a popular color right now and would match nicely with the green. I would go with green floor tiles with a gray tile here and there. The opposite on the walls, gray with green dispersed throughout. As for the glass accent, the woman at the store is a great resource. Can the glass be tinted in a darker color to bring in the richness of the cabinet? White toilet and tub never go out of style and if you want to remodel in the future, they will still stand the test of time. I moved into a 70's era mobile home a few years ago. The tub, sink and toilet were blue. I did not have the finances to replace any of these. My solution was to decorate around them to look like the blue color was my intent. These are just a few ideas. I can see you have good taste and I hope you enjoy the process.

Q:Im trying to figure out how to apply (vct) Vinyl tile squares? Whats the best way to start a project? What adhesive do you use if any? Is it like ceramic with some form of grout? etc!

On VCT, Vinyl Composite Tile, you need adhesive to put it down and it goes together directly next to each other, you do not grout VCT. You also need a heat gun and a VCT cutter when installing. The manufacturer of the VCT also makes the adhesive that is needed for installation. After it is installed it needs have a weight roller rolled over the tile to ensure it sticking to the floor. VCT should also be sealed and waxed after completion to ensure it won't be scratched and that no moisture gets underneath the surface. You can lay out the tiles before the adhesive is applied to see what it looks like and where the cuts will be, you don't need to lay out the whole floor just a little bit. You can chalk line the floor with a straight edge to ensure the VCT is being laid in a straight line. You may be able to get on the Armstrong, Congoleum, or Mannington website for more info.

Q:I have painstakingly cleaned and restored victorian age tiles in hall (using natural and eco products). Wondering what to seal with? Found few eco tile sealants but wondered if anyone used any without distorting the colour? Thanks :)

Most tile have a glazed finish so unless it dose not have it,it will be difficult to seal.You don`t mention wheat her its wall or floor tiles,if it wall tiles you might get away with it.If it floor tiles I think it will cause a problem by walk over it.

Q:the white tiles for like walls.

The style of the tile (hey, that rhymes) is very similar to the style used in many of the stations in the NYC subway system (and probably other systems) over the years.