Category: DIY Bathroom Projects

I spent three days grinding concrete on a job last month just so the floor wouldn’t click like a castanet. People think the finish layer is where the magic happens, but they are wrong. Most guys skip the leveling compound and they think the underlayment will hide the dip. It won’t. I have seen the…

Most guys skip the leveling compound. They think the underlayment will hide the dip. It won’t. I spent three days grinding concrete on a job last month just so the floor wouldn’t click like a castanet. When you are dealing with mosaics, that 1/8 inch dip is a death sentence for your grout lines. I…

The physics of the porcelain glaze Drilling through porcelain requires diamond-tipped bits, constant water lubrication, and a slow, steady RPM to prevent thermal shock. Unlike ceramic, porcelain is fired at extreme temperatures, resulting in a dense, glass-like structure that cracks if localized heat expands the material too quickly. Successful drilling depends on managing friction. I…

Cutting Large Format Tiles Without a Heavy Wet Saw Most guys skip the leveling compound. They think the underlayment will hide the dip. It won’t. I spent three days grinding concrete on a job last month just so the floor wouldn’t click like a castanet. When you are dealing with large format tiles, or LFT…

Mastering the Art of Ceramic Bathroom Tile Chip Repair I spent three days grinding concrete on a job last month just so the floor wouldn’t click like a castanet. Most guys skip the leveling compound. They think the underlayment will hide the dip. It won’t. I have spent twenty five years on my knees with…

How to Choose the Right Trowel Notch Size for Your Tiles Most guys skip the leveling compound. They think the underlayment will hide the dip. It won’t. I spent three days grinding concrete on a job last month just so the floor wouldn’t click like a castanet. That is the reality of a poor subfloor…

Most guys skip the leveling compound. They think the underlayment will hide the dip. It won’t. I spent three days grinding concrete on a job last month just so the floor wouldn’t click like a castanet. That experience taught me one thing that every homeowner needs to understand about their tile. The crack you see…

The invisible foundation of a mosaic masterpiece Mosaic tile installation requires a perfectly flat substrate to ensure the grout lines remain consistent across the entire pattern. Achieving a level 5 finish on your subfloor or wall backing is the only way to prevent thin-set squeeze-through, which is the primary cause of ruined mosaic patterns during…

Why physics hates your bathroom floor Peel and stick tile fails in showers because the adhesive is water-soluble or weakens under constant heat and humidity. These products lack the mechanical bond needed to resist hydrostatic pressure. Using them in a wet environment often leads to subfloor rot and mold growth. I spent three days grinding…

I once spent three days grinding concrete on a job last month just so the floor wouldn’t click like a castanet. Most guys skip the leveling compound. They think the underlayment will hide the dip. It won’t. That same lazy attitude is why most people fail when they try to cut porcelain. They treat it…