DIY Chatroom - DIY Home Improvement Forum - Tiling, ceramics, marble http://www.diychatroom.com en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:33:00 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.diychatroom.com/images/misc/rss.jpg DIY Chatroom - DIY Home Improvement Forum - Tiling, ceramics, marble http://www.diychatroom.com Ceramic tile around a fireplace http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/ceramic-tile-around-fireplace-57466/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:39:14 GMT This summer we built on an addition which included a built-in fireplace. We decided to put ceramic tile around the outside of the fireplace as well as on the floor in front of it. It says once I am done putting on the grout, I used sanded grout, I am supposed to leave it cure for a few days (72... This summer we built on an addition which included a built-in fireplace. We decided to put ceramic tile around the outside of the fireplace as well as on the floor in front of it. It says once I am done putting on the grout, I used sanded grout, I am supposed to leave it cure for a few days (72 hours) and then put on a sealer. My question is what kind of sealer do I use since this is around a fireplace which gets warm, does not get wet at all, and is not in a damp area. Everything I have read talks about using tile in a shower area which is frequently wet and a damp area. If I would only wait 24 hours for it to cure and use the fireplace will this cause the grout to start chipping or crumbling? Please help, I can't find this answer anywhere.
cme ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble cme http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/ceramic-tile-around-fireplace-57466/ Botched grout job http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/botched-grout-job-57360/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:48:18 GMT My wife and I have spent every Saturday and Sunday carefully placing tiles into our new his and her shower - nearly four months! It took most of that time to cut and place all the special tiles around the custom seat and wall recesses. Most of the tiles are 4 1/4 square ceramic and there's an "expensive" ribbon of glass tiles about 2/3rds of the way up.

We grouted the whole thing on Sunday and had a real hard time getting it all grouted before it began to set (non sanded poly grout). Needless to say, we didn't get it all cleaned up very well and let it sit until Monday after we both got home from work. Now it's set hard and basically impossible to work with. A putty knife shaves the grout off the face off fairly well but most of the 1/8" grout lines are not clean looking like they should be and some are absolutly terrible.

My wife wants to cry (actually me too) - any suggestions?
I can attach photos if it would help. ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble Jim W http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/botched-grout-job-57360/ help with tiles http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/help-tiles-57337/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:03:58 GMT I was really ready to tile today. So I mixed the thin set and started tiling. I didn't read the bag when it said to wait 5-10 mins before tiling. So question is did I really mess up or will the tiles wind up ok? ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble snyderman5 http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/help-tiles-57337/ sealing (or waxing?) mexican terra cotta tile http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/sealing-waxing-mexican-terra-cotta-tile-57119/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:54:51 GMT we have a terra cotta tile floor in a small back bathroom that I recently discovered has never been sealed :huh: I would like to seal the tiles, just so they don't absorb absolutely everything that might spill their way....

what is the preferred sealant or wax? I recall decades ago that the main terra cotta tile floor was hand buffed with I believe a wax? the tiles don't look fake or shiny. They have a warm subtle sheen. I would like to replicate that in the back bathroom, if possible.

Online, I found several sealants, but I'm concerned that most of them would be rather high gloss and plasticky.... what's the old-school route?

any suggestions?

thanks :) ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/sealing-waxing-mexican-terra-cotta-tile-57119/ please help with bathroom tile http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/please-help-bathroom-tile-56962/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:00:02 GMT i realy hope you all can send me in the right direction. i just purchased my first house a year ago and gutted the second bathroom.never doing any of this before, i figured i would just learn and figure it out as i go. i got the sink pipes where they should be, jacuzi tub anb plumbing... i realy hope you all can send me in the right direction.

i just purchased my first house a year ago and gutted the second bathroom.never doing any of this before, i figured i would just learn and figure it out as i go.
i got the sink pipes where they should be, jacuzi tub anb plumbing in,drywall up and mostly all taped and mudded. and the hardy backer for behind the tub.
heres where i am stuck.

#1 do i tape and mud the hardybacker were the tile is going??
#2 where the hardybacker meets the drywall, what material do you use to join the two????

thanks for any help.
this has been a 8 month jurney, and my preg. wife wants her bathroom back.

jim ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble fishtale http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/please-help-bathroom-tile-56962/ sunroom tiling http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/sunroom-tiling-56822/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:19:38 GMT I just bought my house and the last people there had a hot tub in the sun room. The sunroom will be made into a third bedroom, however they had tiling around the hot tub, well they cemented the tile to the cement floor! how would I take this out. Any ideas will help I have no clue other then... I just bought my house and the last people there had a hot tub in the sun room. The sunroom will be made into a third bedroom, however they had tiling around the hot tub, well they cemented the tile to the cement floor! how would I take this out. Any ideas will help I have no clue other then hammering them out which would take forever, tried it the tiles are really tough! ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble alayman http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/sunroom-tiling-56822/ <![CDATA[Removing Granite & Omni Grip Adhesive from Fireplace Surround]]> http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/removing-granite-omni-grip-adhesive-fireplace-surround-56793/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:42:03 GMT I wish I had read this forum a couple weeks ago! My wife and I added a fireplace to our family room addition and were guided by the folks at Home Depot to use Omni Grip adhesive to secure the granite tiles around the fireplace. It was easy to use and did dry in a couple days unlike some of the... I wish I had read this forum a couple weeks ago! My wife and I added a fireplace to our family room addition and were guided by the folks at Home Depot to use Omni Grip adhesive to secure the granite tiles around the fireplace. It was easy to use and did dry in a couple days unlike some of the other posts stated. However, it was a big mistake for other reasons! When we use the fireplace we get horrible fumes and the adhesive starts to liquify and leak out the seams (it eventually starts dripping). How do we remove the granite and adhesive so that we can do this the right way with a thinset? I thought the heat might loosen the tiles enough for me to pull them off, but they are still securely attached. Attached is a picture.

Thanks everyone for your assistance.

- Ray in PA
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]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble RayJak http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/removing-granite-omni-grip-adhesive-fireplace-surround-56793/ white spots on gea verda tile around salt water pool http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/white-spots-gea-verda-tile-around-salt-water-pool-56732/ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:28:24 GMT just install a new salt water pool a few weeks ago. now the tile around the pool area is getting white spots. any suggestion to how to stop this or is this going to be and on going problem. can you suggest a cleaner to help remove them or maybe something else that may stop it. thanks for any... just install a new salt water pool a few weeks ago. now the tile around the pool area is getting white spots. any suggestion to how to stop this or is this going to be and on going problem. can you suggest a cleaner to help remove them or maybe something else that may stop it. thanks for any information. also this pool is an indoor pool ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble mayo2965 http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/white-spots-gea-verda-tile-around-salt-water-pool-56732/ <![CDATA[Ditra & Travertine on Interior-Grade Plywood]]> http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/ditra-travertine-interior-grade-plywood-56508/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:11:48 GMT Hi all. Here's the deal: we pulled up sheet vinyl from our kitchen floor to find what we think is interior-grade plywood on the floor (2 layers, each about 1/2-5/8" thick). The only reason we think it is interior grade is because it doesn't appear green, as if it was pressure treated. We have no clue if the bottom piece is exterior grade or not. We have already purchased Ditra and 1/2" thick 18x18 travertine tiles. You should know ahead of time that we have a height constraint. I don't know what the joist spacing is either...the house was built in 1988 if that helps. Also, we are located in NC, so there are very few months of cold.

The Ditra needs to be mortared to the subfloor, which is causing us to worry about the glue coming apart on the plywood when it gets wet with thinset. I don't want to remove the layer of plywood and put exterior grade down. 1- it could be glued to the layer below which would require us to replace both layers, 2- it will be a lot of work, and 3- it will cost a lot of money to replace it. I also can't add an additional layer on top of the existing 2 layers because of the height issue.

What are our options? Can I GLUE the Ditra down? Can we SEAL the interior grade plywood with a sealant and proceed with the normal Ditra instructions? Need to start this weekend...please advise! :001_unsure: ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble katyshuler http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/ditra-travertine-interior-grade-plywood-56508/ grout vs caulk spin-off... another tile wall question http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/grout-vs-caulk-spin-off-another-tile-wall-question-56452/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:19:15 GMT bathroom is gutted, and we're about to install huge porcelain wall tiles, and 12" porcelain floor tiles in our powder room.

Our home has hot water heat, so there's a baseboard along a wall. The tile is about 1/4" thick. Obviously, it can't be slipped behind the baseboard. We also don't have the skills to move the baseboard. How should we approach tiling this wall and the junction of the top of the baseboard to the bottom of the tile wall?

Caulk? some other method? I'm clueless as to this....

Also, the meeting point between the floor / ceiling should be caulked? What kind of caulk do you recommend? We're using tinted grout over unmodified thinset (as per manufacturer's instructions)

thanks so much for your help! ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/grout-vs-caulk-spin-off-another-tile-wall-question-56452/ kitchen tile floor http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/kitchen-tile-floor-56287/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:38:20 GMT Well, I have new counters, cabinets but the floor has to go now. I have 2 layers of linoleum and underneath a thick particle board - house was built in 1973 - Kitchen is between living room and family room, both with wooden floors and want to install something different in the kitchen. I like... Well, I have new counters, cabinets but the floor has to go now. I have 2 layers of linoleum and underneath a thick particle board - house was built in 1973 - Kitchen is between living room and family room, both with wooden floors and want to install something different in the kitchen. I like tile but I'm finding out it requires to take off all the old floor, including the particle board. I just found yersterday in a rather small flooring shop, a new floating ceramic tile, that clicks together like laminated floors. Of course, they require grouting and sealing like usual tiles, but they seemed easier to install. They are also pretty thick, 1/4" plus some type of grill underneath and mat that will bring it to 1/2" more or less.
I couldn't find anything on line about these tiles. Does anybody knows something? Any recommendations? The name on the tile says "Avafre" Choice but didn't find any results on line. What about switching to laminated tiles, any experiences that could help me?
Thanks in advance
Lillian ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble Lillian Rubin http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/kitchen-tile-floor-56287/ slate tile sidewalk? http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/slate-tile-sidewalk-56165/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:32:36 GMT What will we need to do to accomplish tiling over cement and brick with slate tiles? Has anyone put in slate tiles over concrete and over brick? Our house has cement sidewalk at lawn-level (from the driveway) and a brick (covered) step. The brick of the step does not match the brick of the... What will we need to do to accomplish tiling over cement and brick with slate tiles?

Has anyone put in slate tiles over concrete and over brick?

Our house has cement sidewalk at lawn-level (from the driveway) and a brick (covered) step. The brick of the step does not match the brick of the house' body/vertical walls. And, we are looking to tile over both so the path from the driveway to the doorway has a unified look and feel.

Thanks.:thumbsup: ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble 1655graff http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/slate-tile-sidewalk-56165/ Grout or Caulk where floor tile meets wall tile? http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/grout-caulk-where-floor-tile-meets-wall-tile-56143/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:29:12 GMT Hello, I'm just finishing tiling my bathroom walls. The way i've done it, the wall tile extends a tile beyond the bathtub, and then meets with the floor tile on the bottom. Where these two meet should I grout or should I caulk? Thank you!!! ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble britt_schaeffer http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/grout-caulk-where-floor-tile-meets-wall-tile-56143/ tile on tile http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/tile-tile-56116/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:29:45 GMT I have 6x6 old ceramic tiles around and in front of fireplace ( it is not glossy as shower tiles). Can not remove them because I will ruin mantel that I really like. What steps should I take and products (especially adhesive) should I use to put glass tiles on top? I have 6x6 old ceramic tiles around and in front of fireplace ( it is not glossy as shower tiles). Can not remove them because I will ruin mantel that I really like. What steps should I take and products (especially adhesive) should I use to put glass tiles on top? ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble orliha http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/tile-tile-56116/ Sanded Caulk or 100% Silicone http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/sanded-caulk-100-silicone-55969/ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:38:05 GMT Hello, I have been a long time lurker and have received much information/advice from this site. :thumbup: I just tiled my tub surrond and caulked the inside corners with sanded caulk from Custom Building. Is it okay to use this acrylic based product for the gap between the tub and tile, or... Hello, I have been a long time lurker and have received much information/advice from this site. :thumbup:

I just tiled my tub surrond and caulked the inside corners with sanded caulk from Custom Building. Is it okay to use this acrylic based product for the gap between the tub and tile, or should I use normal 100% white silicone caulk?

Thanks for your advice!:thumbsup: ]]> Tiling, ceramics, marble mikejones http://www.diychatroom.com/f84/sanded-caulk-100-silicone-55969/