Q:I am installing 4x4 ceramic tiles on a shower wall. I have been using a 1/4 x 1/4 sq. notch trowel, but am having trouble with the tiles staying put...should I use a 3/16 x 5/32 v-notch trowel instead?

When I use a trowel I use a V-notched trowel spreasding adhesive in a figure 8 configuration all over the walls, I use a trowel with 5/16th's groove.

Q:We just installed laminate wood floors tiles in our open space living/kitchen room. We put ceramic tiles in the kitchen area the wood laminate in the living area. Due to time constraints we had to get the laminate installed first before the tiles. Our tiler was supposed to put something between the wood the tiles but didn‘t. He‘s not being very cooperative about completing this, so we are trying to do something ourselves.What can we put there, so that the grout stops coming apart where the tiles laminate wood meet?Thanks.

I would be reluctant to use laminate in any area that is liable to get wet -- snowy boots, washing machine leak, plugged toilet etc. Laminate flooring is very durable but it swells when it gets wet and when it swells it pops up at the joins, then chips. I have had to replace two bathroom laminate floors for just this reason. Use a good quality tile and 3 coats of sealer on the grout. When people have trouble keeping grout clean it is usually because they failed to properly seal it. If you're concerned the tile may be slippery when wet, choose a tile with a bit of texture in it. It will look more high end, give some protection against slipping when wet -- and it will last for as long as you own the home. -- Just be sure to seal the grout 3 days after completion and every couple of years thereafter.

Q:A few tiles in my building flat give a cracking noise when i step on them.Upon inspection i found that the tiles make cracking sound even when i press them with my hands but requires some strength.There is a small airgap in a few joints but the gap is very small.The tiles were installed almost 15 years ago and i dont know how old the building is but is considered an earthquake proof structure.The cracking sound is sometimes even for as long as 1-2 seconds when standing on it.So is it a lose tile or a foundation crack?

It sounds like the tiles has become loose. There is a chance that the subfloor may be loose as well depending upon what it is made out of and how it was installed. Wood subfloors can become loose if they are nearly nailed down and not screwed down. The best thing to do at this point is to take up the floor and inspect any problems with the subfloor and make any repairs. Then install new tile. If you want to save a few bucks you can take up just the ones that are loose and install new tiles that look best in their place.

Q:Hexagonal tiles of side 20cm are used to tile a room that measures 6.25m by 4.85m. Assuming we complete edges by cutting up tiles how many tiles are needed?

First you need to get the square of the room by multiplying the lenght and the width...6.25m x's 4.85m Then convert that into cm. Next do the same thing on your tile and divid that with your floor and that will give you the # of tiles....I may be wrong here but here we go.... 6.25 * 4.85 = 30.3125 *100 = 3031.25 sq cm ROOM 20 * 6 = 180 sq cm TILE 3031.25 / 180 = 17 tiles I am sure that this is off I would suggest if a room is 12 x 18 ft giving 216 sq ft and a box of tile at a 1.5 x 1.5 at 9 tiles each box at 20 sq ft would be about 11 boxes Another soulution is to goto the hardware store and ask the tile pro to tell you how many you need and give him the measurements lol

Q:i need to know if there are any ways to remove concrete that has already set, from tile

If the tiles are a really hard glaze then you could have them sand blasted there are plenty of businesses that can dry sand blast as long as the tiles are worth more than the cost of sand blasting

Q:Can you put linoleum over tile?

You really can't put a vinyl floor on top of a tile floor properly without doing some prep work which will ruin the tile. There are some products however that you can use that won't harm the tile like laminate, which doesn't require adhesives or floor prep. Or if you're dead set on vinyl, Tarkett has a new product out called FiberFloor which doesn't require adhesive but you may still see the grout lines from the tile come through from underneath. However, if you have permission from your landlord to renovate the floor (I made such an arrangement with my landlord in exchange for rent), then you can get a floor leveler like Ardex and put it over the tile to give yourself a new smooth surface and from there, you can do anything you want. Although I would highly recommend removing the tile.

Q:What should you pay attention to when installing tiles?

Empty drums, shedding flatness after 3 days to see just finished shop looks like can not see

Q:I am having glass tile installed. It is in a high use area...backsplash with lots of good cooking going on...should it be sealed, and if so by what kind of sealer. The glass tile is frosted. Thanks.

If it weren't for the grout joints, you wouldn't have to apply sealer to the area. Grease and oil splatter from frying will not soak into the glass tiles, but it will soak into the grout joints. Eventually, the grout joints will become discolored and impossible to clean. For that reason, it is a good idea to apply sealer to the area. Keep in mind that you will have to thoroughly clean the area, especially the grout joints, every couple of years and reapply a new coat of sealer. Good luck with your new glass tile backsplash.

Q:My husband and I laid 4x4 square ceramic tiles on our counter tops. We have sealed them and everything....So the question I have is how do you get rid of the sandy resadue on the tiles from doing the grout work?

The concern is that you've already sealed the tile job. You can still get the residue off, but if you sealed the residue onto the tile, it's going to be more difficult. Go to a building supply store (like Lowe's or Home Depot or Sears hardware) and get a cleaner for grout that contains phosphoric acid. It works really well on grout residue. It works better if you attach the problem within 10 days of the grout job. If that doesn't seam to work, try some wax remover on the tile to remove the sealer. Then use the phosphoric acid. Then, you'll have to reseal. Finally if none of that works, you may have to resort to muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) which is not fun to play with and can be dangerous. Follow the instruction and warnings carefully. Good luck

Q:Anyone know how much I should expect to pay to have a professional install ceramic tile flooring? The prep work has been done. The tile is 12 x 12, there‘s about 90 sq ft of floor (concrete... sealed). I‘ve purchased the materials (tile, thinset, grout). I just want to know how much to expect to pay for labor. Is $5.00 per sq ft. too much? That‘s the quote I was given. Thanks for any help.

$5.00 is about what normal stores around here charge. Ive been installing for about 4 years now