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If you have ceramic or stone tile installed directly to your concrete floor, you may have noticed cracked or damaged tile. There can be a number of reasons for this, including inadequate bonding, lack of expansion joints, use of poor quality thinset, or cracking of the substrate. For purposes of this article, I’ll address only this last factor: cracking of the substrate.

Many concrete professionals will tell you that it is not a matter of if the concrete will crack, but when it will crack. While there are a number of reasons for the concrete to crack, it’s almost impossible to determine when and where it will crack. Cracking sometimes occurs at the weakest point of the slab, for instance, if there is an inset porch in the floor plan, there may be one or two weak points in the slab. The slab is narrower in this area, hence the weak point. However, it’s possible for concrete to crack at any place or time, even several years after (more…)

If you look at many tile installations in progress, you may see the installer comb wet thinset on the floor in a defined area, usually marked off with chalk lines. The installer will then embed the tile into the thinset, give it twist, adjust for spacing, and call it good. In many cases, that’s all it takes to achieve a good bond.

However, with so many porcelain tiles on the market today, I’m finding that it’s increasingly important to apply thinset to the floor and to the back of each tile. This is referred to as “back-buttering.” (more…)

Part 1 of a 2-part series on installing tile for a tub or shower surround. Skip to part 2 here. This article deals with the preparations to tile a tub or shower surround in wood frame structures. It follows the actual work performed on a tub surround project in an Arkansas home. (more…)

This is the second in a two-part series on the preparation and installation of porcelain tile for a shower or tub surround. This project was performed in a bathroom somewhere in Arkansas. The structure is wood frame construction. Start from the beginning with the wall preparation article here, or follow along as this project is completed with beautiful tile and accessories. (more…)

Protect your children and family from unwanted allergies!

Do you have carpet in your home? Do you suffer from allergies? Read this information.

Carpet is installed in almost every home in the U.S. Carpet is an inexpensive and comfortable type of flooring. It’s a good insulator, which means it’s more comfortable to the bare feet than solid floors like tile or wood. It’s available in many colors, styles, and prices, which adds to its popularity. But for many people, carpet can be a significant hindrance to their health.

Carpet is simply a fabric that (more…)