Q:I am going to be removing ceramic tile in my kitchen and was wondering what the easiest way to go about it was? I was going to use a hammer and a flat ended screw driver, what do you think?

Dusty okorder

Q:Some people say that only natural tiles have radiation. Cheap certainly not a natural stone, there will be no radiation, is that right?

All the objects in nature, as long as the temperature above the absolute temperature of zero, are in the form of electromagnetic waves to keep out the heat, this way of transmitting energy called radiation. The energy emitted by an object through radiation is called radiant energy. Radiation is calculated according to Roentgen / Hour (R) The media claims that the so-called granite that can cause radioactive damage to the human body, mainly refers to the relatively long decay time radon 22 (half-time of 3.83 days). In fact, since ancient times human beings live in a radioactive environment. Radioactive is not only natural stone, paint, cement, red brick, ceramics and other building materials are also. Need to be properly understood and treated correctly. Scientific development shows that a certain dose of radiation will not cause harm to the human body and the environment, the rational use can also benefit mankind. The use of stone in the home, the release of radiation from the tiles on the human body is negligible. If too concerned about the words of their own modern housing can not live, and modern residential structure of the main concrete, and concrete material is sand, sand is actually a small point of the stone .... dizzy dare not want to live to the moon is not the same kind of radiation

Q:We laid tile in our shower and I used too much grout. Now I need to know how to get the grout lines even without damaging the tile. Any help would be appreciated.

Kudos to William After installing multiple thousands of sq. ft. of tile, and hundreds of gallons of grout, I so want to not offend you; but the WIPE process probably should have been more resolute on your part. Grout is Mortar/Cement essentially, and when doing tile grouting; the sponging might often be considered as a 3 stage process. Barely moist immediately after application; then as the grout sets, the sponging can increase in how wet you work it. The final result is often just DUST that can easily be wiped away. The issue should have been easy to relate to; as most tile has compressed edges; designed to allow wiping, but not strictly grouting flush with the tile face. In your case, and again; no offense; it seems it's beyond those stages. I guess I'm also curious as to the type of sponge you used. Knowledge is something we so often gain AFTER we NEED it. Certainly you'll have to use abrasives, and possibly a rounded paint knife blade or dinner knife. Nylon/woven scrubbers will likely be ineffective. With care; and if the tile is decent; scraping at the grout shouldn't scratch the tile; to any extreme. The deeper truth however; is that it may never look as it should; and almost as if the grout is squeezed out or bleeding onto the tile face. I do wish you well. Steven Wolf

Q:Laying 225 Sq ft of 18x18 tile on flat slab. Using Ultraflex II thinset (white) w/ 1/16 spacers. Cannot find a 3/4 trowel to apply just to floor...can I use 1/2 sq notch trowel if I apply to floor and back of tile as well when I set them???

Your okorder

Q:Why should the tiles be soaked before the tiles?

Tiles of water need to split the water absorption in terms of water absorption <0.5% in the paving when there is no need to soak, and kitchen and bathroom with glazed tiles and tiles, water absorption is generally greater than 10% It is necessary to carry out soaking (if the porcelain wall for the brick, water absorption of less than 0.5%, of course, no need to soak). As consumers asked in the morning, you can have the following answer: Eno polished brick water absorption rate of 0.5% or less, can be ignored for the non-absorbent, the bubble will be the surface of the anti-fouling wax washed, the construction of poor protection It will pollute or draw the brick.

Q:What kind of ceramic tile?

Tile type, according to its production process and characteristics can be divided into glazed tiles, quintana brick, polished tiles, tiles and mosaic. Different characteristics of the tiles of course have their own best use, knowledge of the tile have enough understanding, you can do in the decoration of the room targeted, make the best use. Whole body brick: the whole body of the brick surface is not glazed, and the front and back of the material and color consistent, hence the name. Whole body brick is more wearable, but its color than glazed tiles. Classification is divided into anti-skid brick, polished tiles and seepage through the whole body brick. The scope of application is widely used in hall, aisle and outdoor walkway and other ground, generally less used in the wall. Features: This is a glazed porcelain tile, with good slip resistance and abrasion resistance. Generally speaking, most of the anti-skid tiles are quintana bricks. As this kind of brick price is moderate, popular consumer favorite.

Q:I am tiling my kitchen countertop and want to put in some wood trim pieces around the front edge like is in newer homes with tile countertops. What I want to know is, where in Lowe‘s can I get that? Is it going to be with all of the moulding, etc., and am I looking for something inparticular? Thanks!

Try asking for bull nosed trim.if they don't have it they may be able to tell you who locally stocks it. Consider bull nosed tile as an alternative to wood if no wood is available. You can always make it yourself if you have some tools.

Q:I had a person re-grout the 4 tiles years ago. That person was a dufus and left some grout on the tiles instead of just in the grooves.. It is still there! How could I remove the small patches of grout from the front of the white tiles? As a point of information, the repair guy messed up by grouting ALL of the tiles when he first started. The grout drys so fast that it set up hard before it could be struck and finished and the excess washed off. The tile setter guy is supposed to do just a very few tiles at a time.

Hopefully, all of your tiles have grout AND sealer. You can try plain ol' scrapping it off, but be careful not to scratch the tiles. Try using white vinegar to soften the grout, but be sure not to get any on the grout that you want to save. Use a small sponge, or even Q-tips. You may have to let it soak a few minutes. Also, try using a plastic scraper instead of a metal one, like a pan scraper. If you have any spare tiles, practice scraping to see if you're scratching the tile.

Q:we ‘tiled‘ one wall and it was our original plan to do just that one.but now,a lot of tile has been not used (of what we bought) and the shopkeeper wouldn‘t take it back.what should we do?we can‘t do an entire another wall because we don‘t have that much tile but,it‘s still a lot.pleease help :)

If they happen to be the smaller 1x2 or 2x2 sized tiles, those you can donate to schools and preschools. These are good for counting. Anything bigger and they' re hard to handle for little kids. Larger tiles can be donated to older art classes for the kids to use. If they are colorful tiles you can break them (carefully) up to use as a mosaic pattern for decorating planters, small counter tops etc. I ve even seen wall art done with broken tiles and framed. Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar . GL

Q:It has been installed on a concrete slab for about five months now, could the slab not have cured right or is the tile layed wrong?

It is common on a poorly made one such as yours. People who laid them for has no masters degree, thats why they make a living of laying tiles. The work should have guarantee for one year and Im sure you kept some extra tile. Now you can get them to fix it for you with no charge.