Q:I have a black and white tile floor, and most everything that I have tried has left it very slick even after it is dried. Does anyone know of any homemade product to clean it? I am also willing to try comercial products also. I am tired of my family slipping.

Tile is a smooth surface, it will tend to be a bit slick. The best product to clean tile with is vinegar and water. My son has a tile business and suggests this to the homeowners he does work for.

Q:I have a rental that currently has sheet vinyl in the kitchen that is in bad shape. I am considering putting in self adhesive floor tiles over the vinyl. I have installed similar flooring in a bathroom but used inexpensive tiles. It looked good, but the tiles tended to slide. I‘m thinking it was because I used bargain tiles rather than better quality.I just need comments as to longevity and problems you might have encoutered with self adhesive tiles. Also, do you have any particular brand or type you recommend?

ok well the self stick they do sell an extra bond liquid which is clear and makes your tile much stickier and if that linoleum is shot at the point were it is coming up you cant go with the self stick cause the bad areas it will show how bout linoluem over linoleum and this liquid stuff is clear and tacky in like an hour or 45 min an can use on the linoluem too i think going right on the linoleum to the self stick which i find are terrible but are much better with this liquid which is whitish or clear its not glue

Q:your supposed to?Would it damage the tiles?

Ceramic tile has a glaze on it which keeps the vinegar from harming the tile, however--you might have to reseal your grout if you use to much vinegar over a period of time. Vinegar can work on the grout like an acid if it isn't diluted properly. One teaspoon of vinegar to one quart of water is best.

Q:We‘re putting in new porcelain tile floors in the kitchen and bathroom. Should the tile go under the refrigerator? Should tiles go in before or after the new vanities in the bathroom? Any other general tips for a first-time tiler?

Tile under the ice box.....tile after the vanities. Layout very carefully before you start, and think ahead. Start in the center of the rooms and make sure that there are no little pieces on the sides....best if they are even all around.

Q:We are buying our first home and want to do some updating but are on a budget. We are not experienced in do-it-yourself home projects but would like to try.How simple or how difficult is installing carpet tiles? We know nothing about them really.

If you are on a budget, I would suggest, instead of tiles, which can be expensive, since they are mainly geared toward commercial uses- finding remnants. Most tiles are glued down, and as the prior person suggested would be easier for the first time when using a solid color. You will need to see what kind of glue the manufacturer suggests, or you might void any warranty issue that could arise in the future.

Q:I am thinking about tiling 2 bathrooms in a rental property and planning to use 12x12 tiles costing $1 each. I want to use the same tiles for bathtub surrounds as well as floor. I am looking for some advice about the size of tiles that may be appropriate.Thanks

If the tiles fit the area then 12x12 are fine. I used 12 tiles for my bathroom remodel and it turned out fine. You need to figure out how much cutting is involved. Get graph paper and see how it looks. Mine fit fine since it was divisable by 12.

Q:I just grouted the ceramic tiles I laid in my kitchen. The grout was supposed to be a dark maroon color, but it turned out a whitish powdery color (efflorescence). What is the main cause of this...it can't be water coming from underneath the tiles because the basement is underneath the kitchen floor...unless it came from the mortar under the kitchen tiles. How do I get rid of the efflorescence. Grout cleaner didn't work...should I use salfamic (spelling?) acid and scrub the grout lines? Can J just refloat new grout over the existing grout? HELP...I need to put my base cabinets in, but I can't stand looking at my floor the way it is.

You have a larger problem than you think, that is if your basement floor is of solid construction. If so you have damp in the floor, and sorry to be the barer of bad news but it wont go away. You need a d.p.m. in sub floor prior to tiles is the only way. Jeff

Q:Is it possiable to stain or paint a ceramic tile floor. If so what are the steps I need to take to do it.We laid it about a year ago. My husband picked it out and it just does not look good next to the other tile he put in. I would hate to rip it out and lay a new one.Would the paint sets you buy at home depot for your garage floors work?

You did not state whether the tile is glazed or terra cotta. If it is glazed, you will not be happy with the result of painting it. So forget that. However, if the tile is terra cotta then its surface is somewhat porous, and if it has never been treated with a tile sealant then it can be stained. First, if you can, test a scrap of tile or a small area that is not very visible. You might also want to carefully use a grout sealant only on the grout to protect the grout from being stained. Stain would be wiped on and wiped off about a minute later. Then after at least 48 hours of drying time, the tile should be sealed.

Q:I purchased a house that came with a pool. The drawback is that tile is covering the outside of the pool which makes it extremely slippery for my family and guests. What a good solution to this challenge? Lastly, what‘s going to be the best and cheapest alternative to this? Someone mentioned to me that the rubbery mats they use at restaurants works very well, but I need to know the best and cheapest alternative.Suggestions?

The answer is wary simple; you have the lethal combination of two things that almost invariably will result in an accident: slick tiles and water. When a tile surface gets wet, the coefficient of friction decreases. This is a fancy way of saying that wet tiles do not provide the same traction as dry tiles. When a person walks across a floor and suddenly steps on a wet spot, it’s usually too late to prevent the accident. This probably is a good time to state what is obvious: The best time to prevent slip fall accident is before they happen! But is this possible? Yes. Anti Slip Protection Company produces exactly what you need to prevent slipping on slippery swimming pool deck.

Q:I have just had a room tiled with porcelain tiles. They are non-shiny matte tiles and it was suggested to me that i should use a sealer. What sealer would be better to use, a water based or solvent based? What are the differences between using the two?

Penetrating sealer.. Although a water based product, a couple of coats will last years. Mist on( w/ a spray bottle) wipe it thoroughly over the tile and grout with a damp cloth. I dampen a cloth with the sealer. Let set for 10/15 minutes and wipe excess off amd dry. Don t let it puddle and dry. Repeat at least once , twice if possible. The grout must be set for a minimum of 3 days with all the excess grout has all cleaned off. I ve have only used 2 brands over the years Cerama Seal and Miricle 511. I m sure theres others out there but I stick to what works.. Any questions you can e mail through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL