Q:i want to use broken tiles for flooring in the balcony. what is the procedure?? and how do i start??please suggest.

I suggest that you first prep and fill your concrete and let dry. Next you should lay out some tile pieces on an area near your starting point fitting the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle. Next spread some tile mastic over an area equal to the size of the area where you have laid out tile pieces that fit together. Next, quickly set the tiles in the mastic in the same pattern that you had them laid off to the side leaving at least about 1/8th gaps between the tile pieces. When you are finished, scrape off any mastic that does not have tile set in it. Repeat this process until you completely cover your floor. Allow to dry for a day and then fill the cracks with grout. Allow the grout to dry for a day and then do an acid wash to remove the grout residue.

Q:i have a tile back splash that runs all along my counter including behind my sink and behind my stove. it is a small 1 tile, and i‘m pretty sure it‘s original to the house (40‘s) so it‘s getting kinda grimy. no matter what i do to clean it, it‘s so tough, because of kitchen grease and splatter. the grout isn‘t sealed so it absorbs stains. i keep seeing people say sprinkle baking soda on tile, let it sit, and then clean with vinegar, which would be great if this was a floor, but its a wall, so if there are any solutions, that would be great. natural preferred. i really don‘t want to replace this. painting it is an option, so suggestions on paint for tile would be appreciated as well.

magic erasers are great for this sort of thing. if it's ceramic tile they sell this stuff that works really good call tile guard. use apply a thin coat to the entire area (grout included) let it dry and wipe off with a damp sponge. this also is a good way to clean your grout. regardless if it's on the floor or being used as a backsplash.....I wouldn't suggest painting ceramic tile if doesn't work and the paint won't stick.

Q:We have a two sink bathroom set up would like to replace the counter-top with a homemade tile counter-top - we are pretty handy but have not dealt with tile before - and before I ask my dad for help I thought why not check out yahoo answers. Thanks! :)

Just did this recently. We used a half inch of high grade plywood for the base sheet, then on top of that a half inch sheet of backerboard. Adhere the plywood to the vanity with a liquid nails as well as actual nails. Adhere the backerboard to the plywood with thinset and hardibacker screws. Obviously you'll need to cut out the sinkholes in both. After that, you're ready to tile. Use the smallest groutlines as possible for a countertop, in my opinion. Be sure to seal the tile when you're done. I know how to tile, but I despise it (especially some of the intricate stuff involved in countertops), so I just hired the tiling done.

Q:I was wondering about space between tile when laying tile floor. I have seen online and in person tile floors(don‘t know marble or porcelain or what) where it is completely flat and smooth and the tiles appear butted together. I prefer this look as opposed to the typical tile floor with grout lines that are shallower than the tops of the tile. I was wondering how to get this flat look when every where I have read online says you cannot or at least should not butt tiles together. I hope I described what im looking for accurately and am hoping to get some options. Again I am looking for a flat smooth surface nothing with the dips or recesses of the grout lines. how is that done??

What you want all depends on the type of tile you choose. Granites and marbles you can do this with.There are some vitrified tiles that this can be done with. These are cut (the 2 stones) this way to butt them almost all the way together.Vitrified tiles are formed with the edges slanted so you butt them together.. These are all made to use a very small grout joint but you still need to have grout. Most all other ceramic and porcelain tiles you need a slightly bigger joint and only as small as 3/16 .The type of grout these require you can only do a joint that small. Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL

Q:Have a tiled half wall that I dont like, and as I neither know how to remove tiles or if how to drill through a tile can anyone help?

Use masonry bits in the drill. Start with a small hole and keep using larger bits to increase the size of the hole rather than trying to drill a big hole from the start. It helps to wet the end of the bit. If the hole has to be in a precise location, put a piece of masking tape up and put a mark on the tape exactly where the hole will be. The tape will help keep the drill bit in the spot where you want the hole, rather than having it skip around as it usually would do on the slick tile surface. Put the drill on a slow speed at first to get the hole started if the drill bit is trying to skip around.

Q:anyone familiiar with laying tile flooring? never done it myself but i just bought a house and want to do it. is there anything an amature would mess up?? any info would be great

It is not difficult as long as you properly prepare for the job. If it is a single room check if it is square and using a chalk line mark a line you will start with. Use the most exposed area of the room to get perfectly straight line of tiles. Once you start right the rest is just repetition. Another area of concern is what are you putting the tile over. Is is a concrete slab? If so just make sure it is does not have any areas that are elevated. If it is wood sub-floor definitely use backing like wonder board or something like that. Depending on the size of your tiles you need to choose a spacer size. Your retailer will help you with that. Another issue is your connection of tiles to the wall. Do you have a baseboard? If possible remove the baseboard and reapply it after you are done. It will look better and you will have easier time laying the tile. Consider getting a DVD on laying tile, I am sure you retailer can sell you one for just a couple of bucks. Good Luck!

Q:How to completely remove the double-sided adhesive on the tile?

1, with soap plus a little ammonia and turpentine mixture, you can remove many dirt and make the glass surface more shiny (this article applies to tiles, ceramics, glass, etc.). 2, with a good sticky transparent glue repeatedly tear, you can remove some of the surface 3, with a little letter of sodium water to wipe off, or paint thinner can also be. 4, you can use hair dryer dry, and then gently scraping on it 5, wipe with a cotton swab dipped in water. 6, wind oil fine wipe. 7, use a special cleaning agent or sports shoes to remove the cream wipe. 8, with the drawing with the 4b rubber is very soft that kind of Korean rubber can erase it. 9, if it is a long trace of traces have been hardened, you can use the hot towel to get it soft again try again This should be removed, your home glass for the change.

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:is there any benifits to having the tiled ceilings? please answer ASAP

Pencils are easier to stick in that type of ceiling.

Q:I‘m remodeling my kitchen and there is ugly floor to ceiling wall tile. My contractor says can‘t put up drywall without reframing (which would be expensive). So does anyone have suggestion on what to do with this wall?

What do you want to do? You can tile again directly over them with new tile for an up dated look. Yes you can take them off but depending on what the previous person set the tiles with it can be easy to remove or an SOB. Its a dusty , dangerous ( at least if your not careful ) job and if the proper glue was used it really can be hard to get off. You ll need a hammer, wide masonry chisel, safety glasses , gloves, long sleeve shirt and ear plugs to keep out the flying debris. Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there.. GL