 |
 |
|
|
|
SELECTING TILE |
Can floor tile
be used on the wall?
Can ceramic
tile be used outdoors?
What type of tile can be used around a fireplace?
Can I use a high gloss tile on my kitchen countertops?
Why can some of the semi-gloss colors be used on counter
tops, when others cannot? |
| |
|
CARE & MAINTENANCE |
What can I use to
clean grout?
What
is used to remove grout haze from tile?
Should I
use a sealer on my floor tile?
What can I use to
clean tile? |
| |
|
INSTALLING TILE |
Can
tile be installed over particle board?
Can I use
mastic to install floor tile?
Can tile be installed over lightweight concrete or gypcrete?
How do I know when my tile installation is ready to receive
grout?
What is the maximum spacing for floor joists under a tile
installation?
Is it necessary to tape the joints on cement board?
When tiling a bathroom floor, is it necessary to remove the
toilet?
What is "sanded" and "unsanded grout? Which one is better?
When installing tile over new concrete, how long should the
concrete cure ?
Can cement board be installed directly to the floor joists? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Can
floor tile be used on the wall? |
 |
|
Yes,
when proper installation methods are followed.
Exterior applications require special precautions
and installation methods. Do not install floor tile
on exterior walls unless the product specifically
recommends this application. |
| |
|
Can ceramic tile be used outdoors? |
|
|
|
To be
used outdoors, the tile must be frost proof and
unglazed for floor use. Make sure the absorption
rate is 0.5% or less |
| |
|
What type of tile can be used around a fireplace? |
|
|
|
Any
tile can be used on the face of a fireplace. I would
not recommend putting the tile directly In the
firebox. |
|
|
|
Can I use a high gloss tile on my kitchen
countertops? |
|
|
| It
is not recommended. Structurally it will be OK, but
the gloss glaze will eventually show scratching. |
| |
|
Why can some of the semi-gloss colors be used on
counter tops, when others cannot? |
|
|
|
Countertop applications are more susceptible to
scratching because of their daily use, and
scratching may be more noticeable on darker colors. |
| |
|
What can I use to clean grout? |
|
|
|
For
periodic deep cleaning of grout, a
concentrated tile and grout cleaner
should be used. Concentrated tile and
grout cleaner is mixed with water, much
like any common household cleaner. The
floor should then be mopped and rinsed.
Tile and grout cleaners are also
available in a spray and wipe version.
It is important to use a product
specifically designed for grout and tile
cleaning as other chemicals can bleach
or stain grout. |
|
|
|
What is used to remove grout haze from
tile? |
 |
|
Most
grouts today are polymer modified, which
means they have a latex in them. Use a
latex grout film remover to clean the
grout haze from the tile. Do not use
muriatic acid. |
|
|
|
Should I use a sealer on my floor tile? |
|
|
|
Ceramic
tile in either glazed or unglazed form
do not need to be sealed. These products
are impervious to moisture and topical
sealers will not properly adhere to
them. Also, you can not change or alter
the appearance or the sheen of a ceramic
tile by adding a sealer. Therefore, a
sealer in not recommended for glazed and
unglazed surfaces. However, temporary
pre-grout sealers are often used on
ceramic tile to keep fine color pigments
from embedding into the microscopic
pours of the tile during the grouting
process. The sealer is removed after
grouting. Sealers are designed to
protect porous products and to provide
wearable surfaces to porous products.
All natural stone products and
cementitious grouts are porous products
and should be sealed with a penetrating
/ impregnating sealer. Some stone
products are also sealed with enhancing
sealers to deepen and darken the stones’
natural colors. |
|
|
|
|
|
What can I use to clean tile? |
|
|
|
Wipe glazed wall tiles
periodically using a cloth or
sponge dampened with a non
oil-based household cleaner.
Vacuum glazed floor tiles
regularly to remove dirt and
other gritty particles, then
damp mop or sponge with an
all-purpose, non oil-based
cleaner. Remember not to use
ammonia, as it will discolor
grout. Clean unglazed wall and
floor tiles in a similar manner
using a solution of water and
soapless detergent instead of an
all-purpose cleaner. |
|
|
|
|
|
Can tile be installed
over particle board? |
|
|
|
No, it must be exterior
grade plywood or
concrete backer board. |
|
|
|
Can I use mastic to
install floor tile? |
|
|
|
It is preferred to use a
thinset mortar for
floors, but in
residential use, mastic
can be used with tile up
to 6" x 6" in size on
floors. |
|
|
|
Can tile be installed
over lightweight
concrete or gypcrete? |
|
|
|
It is not recommended to
install tile over gypsum
products. The moisture
in the setting materials
has a tendency to
deteriorate the gypsum
cement. |
|
|
|
How do I know when my
tile installation is
ready to receive grout? |
|
|
|
Most standard thin-set
mortars will reach
initial cure within 24
hours, however certain
job conditions could
affect the final cure
time required and you
should always refer to
and comply with the
manufacturers
instructions listed on
the thin-set bag. |
|
|
|
What is the maximum
spacing for floor joists
under a tile
installation? |
|
|
|
On standard wood frame
construction, joists
should be spaced a
maximum of 16" on center |
|
|
|
Is it necessary to tape
the joints on cement
board? |
|
|
|
On walls it is
definitely necessary.
Use fiberglass tape and
thinset mortar to put
the tape in place. On
floors, it is not
normally necessary, but
sometime is recommended
depending on the
application. Please
refer to manufacturers
installation
instructions. |
|
When tiling a bathroom
floor, is it necessary
to remove the toilet? |
|
|
|
Yes, it gives a much
nicer look. If you tile
around the toilet
instead of removing it,
when the toilet needs to
be replaced, it will be
difficult to find a
toilet that will fit in
the same space as the
old one. |
|
|
|
What is "sanded" and "unsanded
grout? Which one is
better? |
|
|
|
Unsanded grout is used
on tile that has been
installed with a grout
joint width of less than
1/8 of an inch wide and
should always be used on
polished natural stone
products. Sanded grout
is used on tile with a
grout joint width equal
to or greater than 1/8
of an inch. Consult the
grout manufacturer for
your preferred grout
product for
recommendations on grout
aesthetics. |
|
|
|
When installing tile
over new concrete, how
long should the concrete
cure ? |
|
|
|
Industry standards is 28
days |
|
|
|
Can cement board be
installed directly to
the floor joists? |
|
|
|
No, cement backerboard
is not a structural
member. It must be
installed over an
exterior plywood
subfloor, 5/8" minimum
thickness. |
