Q:More specifically, do you lay the tile right against the floorboard with no groat visible? Or would you put a spacer in between the floorboard and the tile so that it you have grout along the edge?

It is honestly all up to the look you prefer. I for example always remove the baseboards and put a quarter inch space in between the tile and the wall (gives you a seamless result). In doing so, when you put the baseboards back on the wall - any mistakes are hidden - and the job just looks more complete. You can however go the route you are talking about (I've seen it done) - and personally I think that adding a grout line is the way to go - mainly b/c not all walls are square - and the likelihood of you having a seamless edge against the baseboard is slim. Good luck,

Q:My husband ( yes...the one with the dents in his head from the cooker hood ) is fixing rustic tiles in my kitchen. He has done loads of tiling with plain tiles ( i.e straight edges!!) but we're wondering about spacing these with irregular edges. Very little advice on the web apart from to space them more widely which doesn't really help! Anyone done this and pleased with the result?

The easiest way is to average the widths, and do you lay out from there. So, if the 3 tiles, on average covers 18 (with grout joints) then you can get a very good idea of what the lay out should be. Hope this helps.

Q:I'm laying ceramic tile in my bathroom which I've never done. Any suggestions? I was also just thinking that it'd be neat to put the same tile as a shower surround. Would that be difficult? What do I need to do for that?

Yes you can put the same tiles on the wall as on the floor. Just be careful about the size of the tiles (speaking of ceramic tiles) for the wall. The bigger and heavier the tiles for the wall the more craftsman ship is needed to keep them adhered or from slipping until dry. You need the same thing for the wall as you are using on the floor. A tub of Mastic, a notched trowel, tape measure and a tile cutter and grout joint spacers. After tile is set, let dry for at least 24 hours. Then you'll need grout, a bucket , grout sponge, a rubber float (or grout float). And grout sealer.

Q:i mean i know they make tiles obviously, but how do they go about doing that exactly?

Hello Most of the tile makers now use dust clay(fine powder) .they have a standard 6x6 two part mould that they fill with a set amount of the powdered clay insert the filled mould in to a fly press of similar type of press remove from the mold decorate glaze and fire in the kiln. this is just to give you some idea. The traditional way is to use plastic clay that's wet clay that you can press into a tile mould by hand or a small press remove leave to dry and then fire when fully dry.You can fine a few help full books on the internet or the Library. Cheers Bob a Job

Q:ok, i tiled my kitchen with the sticky tiles (not expensive ceramic ones or anything like that) then sealed it with a clear tube of sealant. it is about 3 or 4 days later, and the floor looks like crap. the sealer left behind a nasty tar trail or something. While the tile looks glossy and beautiful the places i sealed are dull and def noticable. How do I get rid of the excess???? I've tried scraping, it just don't work. help me!!!!

i dont know about anything chemical, but what about a paint scraper? it would be a lot of hard word, but it would prob get rid of the nasty extras. Just trying to be helpful. good luck ;)

Q:Moved into a house where prior owner used glazed porcelain tile. Job unfinished but a little tile left behind. Not enough! Can anyone help me find GEO CERAMICHE Natura Sable BL 12x12 (or larger, I can cut it down). Have looked online to no avail (yet). Neighbors tell me the tile was bought at least 4 years ago but not later. Can anyone help me find 5 pieces of this tile?

Find where the tile was bought 1st.. Many big box stores will private label name brand tiles ( and many products) so you can t cross shop them..After 4 years I won t give you much of a chance to find them ..sorry... Styles change along w/ technology and they switch things to change w/ the times.It may be still available but chances are slim..Is it in a place that some sort of mosaic can be used as a decoration? Or maybe a good rug? Start w/ the big box stores but don t waste to much gas chances are slim .. I wish you luck ..

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:I just mortared some very porous tiles down and i‘m ready to grout. I‘ve used these tiles before and noticed it‘s pretty tough to get the haze to go away. Should i pre-seal the tile before grouting? if so, what brand or name? Also, do i still use a grout haze remover if needed? And lastly what is your recommended tile sealer to finish the job?

Pre Sealed Grout

Q:I wanted to put ceramic tile over the linoleum (in good shape) in our bathroom (floor is concrete). Can I do this or do I need to remove all the linoleum? Thanks

I don't know where everyone gets your info, you can put tile over linoleum but you must first rough up the surface for tile cement to adhere. Most manufacturers recommend 1 1/4 of sub floor so floor won't flex to much and crack the grout.

Q:should I clean the tiles in my basement or is there not worry about it? Thanks

in my case, i like the basement to be kept dry and empty. what is so valuable about ceiling tile? you can keep them outside the house, they are part of garbage. if you want to repair the roof, buy new tile because of color matching. ceiling tile is porous and a good hiding place of germs. germs travel throughout the house from the basement because the house is warm