Things You Should Know
Below Grade
Before you start your next tile project, there are some things you need to know. When you hear somebody say "above or below grade," they are referring to your foundation. If your project requires tile to lay directly on the concrete foundation of your home, you need to examine your foundation first. You are looking for cracks in the concrete. If the cracks are long and wider than a hairline fracture, they could ruin your entire project. Those cracks will need to be patched up with a membrane before tile is layed on the concrete. If this is not taken care of, your tile and grout will crack when it settles. This is common in basement floors or on the first story of a home without a basement.
Above Grade
If your project requires tile to be layed above grade, you have to put a cement backerboard down first. These boards come in 3x5foot sheets. If your tile is going on the floor, your backerboard needs to be 1/2 inch in thickness. If 1/4 inch thick backerboard is installed under the tile, your tile and grout will crack over a period of time. 1/4 inch thick backerboard is commonly used for shower walls, kitchen backsplashes, or kitchen countertops.
Grout
If you are choosing a grout color for your tile, do not let the salesman pull out a grout kit. You will stare at the grout kit for an hour, and you will have trouble choosing a color. For the more uniform look you want the grout color to be as close to the natural color of the tile as possible. Start with those colors that appear the same as the tile itself. If you do not like these, ask to see some more. For the fancy taste, you can choose an opposite color grout to make the grout stand out. If the grout is going on the floor, sanded grout is the best, and it will hold up better against the traffic. For kitchen backsplashes and shower walls, non sanded grout will work fine as long as the grout joints are not bigger than 1/8 inch. Always know that bigger tiles require less grout and smaller tiles require more grout.
Taking Care of Your Floor
Just like anything else, tile will last longer if it is taken care of. After your new tile is layed and grouted, it should be allowed to cure for 48 hours. After that, everything should be wiped down with a damp towel or damp mop. For the first time, only use water. This process will need to be repeated until the haze finally disappears. Do not get frustrated with this. Sometimes, it takes a couple of days or so. Once the haze has completely vanished, you are ready to seal your tile. The best product on the market is called "tilelab." It comes in a spray bottle or a normal bottle. The product needs to be mopped onto the floor or sprayed onto the walls. Sometimes, you can find the product that evaporates on its own. If you cannot find this product, you will need to wipe or mop everything off. Do this once a month for the first two months. After that, your tile will need to be sealed once a year. If your tile is porous (tumbled stone, slate, anything with holes in it), you are sealing the tile and the grout. If your tile is smooth (cermaic, travertine, porcelain), you are only sealing the grout.
matt brown
