Have you had to deal with ramps and level changes on your tile job site? How have you addressed them?
Dealing With Ramps and Level Changes on Tile Jobsites
[fa icon="calendar'] August 20, 2024 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps
Quick and Easy Movement Joints... the Right Way
[fa icon="calendar'] June 25, 2024 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps
If you understand that all tile assemblies move and that movement (expansion) joints are mandatory, you also know that they are the only way to ensure success.
However, do you think installing movement (expansion) joints in tile installations is a pain in the #?&? If so, here are two quick and easy ways to install high-quality and long-lasting movement joints.
Never Assume You Have Sufficient Mortar Coverage. Check It.
[fa icon="calendar'] May 8, 2024 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps
Is the mortar coverage under the tile you install important? You bet. Do you just assume that you are getting sufficient coverage? I hope not.
As often as mortar coverage comes up in articles about tile installation, you'd think that the problem would go away. Unfortunately, it hasn’t, especially in exterior and shower areas, for natural stone tile, and even high-profile commercial installations.
If you want your tile installation to function as it should, don't assume you have sufficient mortar coverage. Check it. That's the best way to avoid costly callbacks and ensure a successful installation
Do You Manage Your Tile Tools? (Video)
[fa icon="calendar'] April 23, 2024 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps
Have you considered that how you manage your tile tools affects how you manage your time? It's a similar thought process to how you go about cutting tile.
Those who are Qualified Labor constantly think about how to manage time. After all, time is money. How well you make use of that time affects how long it takes you to complete tile installations, the quality of your work, and how many client projects you can commit to.
This is true with how you manage your tools.
How To Cut Tile and Manage Time (Video)
[fa icon="calendar'] April 2, 2024 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps
When you cut tile for an installation project, do you spend much time thinking about how you manage time?
If you're a professional, chances are that you constantly think about how to manage your time - aka time management. After all, your time is money.
How well you use that time affects how long it takes you to complete tile installations, the quality of your work, and how many client projects you can commit to.
This is true even when you cut tile.
Why a Tile Installation Mockup is Really Necessary
[fa icon="calendar'] February 27, 2024 8:30:00 AM EST / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps, Installation + Design
Do you build a tile installation mockup for your customers? If you don't, we strongly encourage you to consider doing so.
Here's why.
Addressing Low Grout Joints with Tile Installation Standards
[fa icon="calendar'] February 6, 2024 8:30:00 AM EST / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps
Have you looked at the photos in this article and noticed a real problem? They all demonstrate low grout joints which do not meet the tile industry standards. To meet these standards, the grout must adequately fill the space which obviously these examples do not.
And yet, when the person who took these photos shared them with his builder on the job site, the builder did not believe that any standards existed or that there were any organizations that develop them.
Have you found yourself in a similar situation?
If yes, here's how to deal with low grout joints and understand tile installation standards.
Are Credit Card Grout Joints Specified? Check Tile Industry Standards.
[fa icon="calendar'] January 23, 2024 8:30:00 AM EST / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps
Yes, credit card joints - as in grout joints the thickness of a credit card - are popular, but given tile industry standards, they aren't possible, appropriate, or even recommended.
Many installers have had customers who have seen tile installations in a magazine or brochure which is exactly what they want in their homes. Unfortunately, the “look” they want to achieve with credit card thickness grout joints most likely will not be possible using the tile that has been selected.
Let's explore why.
Back Buttering Tile: How Important Is It?
[fa icon="calendar'] November 7, 2023 8:30:00 AM EST / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps
Do you back butter your tile?
Back buttering tile is a highly opinionated and widely debated topic among tile installers. Although it's recommended for natural stone tile, it's not always necessary or required to get adequate mortar coverage on ceramic and porcelain tile. So, how important is it?
To begin this discussion, we first need to define several words. According to the NTCA Reference Manual:
Tile Over It or Take It Up?
[fa icon="calendar'] October 24, 2023 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps
If you've been installing tile for a while, you've certainly encountered situations where you were asked about tiling over an existing tile installation rather than taking up the tile and/or underlayment and starting from fresh. How did you respond?
Here are two situations Mark Heinlein CTI #1112 and National Tile Contractors Association
Training Director to help explore possible responses.