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Home » Topics » Columns » CTEF Tile Tip

CTEF Tile Tip
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Written by the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation’s Scott Carothers, CTEF Tile Tip shares real-world examples of tile projects that failed, and why it’s important to always follow the standards.

ARTICLES

paint overspray on concrete

Surface Contaminants: It’s Only a Little Bit of Paint

Scott carothers
Scott Carothers
November 16, 2022
No Comments

Often times, the builder, GC, or homeowner express that they need the job done quickly and to ignore the “harmless” paint on the substrate. ANSI says otherwise.


Read More
Water-darkened grout on shower wall

Mortar Coverage and Transfer Make a Difference on Shower Walls

Scott carothers
Scott Carothers
October 21, 2022
No Comments

How important is it to prevent moisture from building up behind a shower tile installation? A happy customer and a successful installation are priority.


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grout that has deteriorated due to routine use of an acid cleaner

Using Acid or an Acid-based Cleaner on Cement Grout

Scott carothers
Scott Carothers
September 19, 2022
No Comments

The key to tile longevity is using the appropriate cleaning products immediately after installation and for the remainder of the installation’s life. Here are a few tips to prevent damage and maintain that beautiful tile floor finish. 


Read More
Painted concrete

Can I Confidently Set Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Over the Existing Flooring?

Scott carothers
Scott Carothers
July 14, 2022
No Comments

Oftentimes, installers are asked to install over questionable substrates. There are two questions that must be answered before making that decision.


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Sliver cut along a wall

Tile Layout Without Sliver Cuts

Scott carothers
Scott Carothers
June 15, 2022
No Comments

Done well, tile layout is pleasing to the eye. Done poorly, everyone loses. Tile layout is not difficult, but it does require skill and experience.


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large tile installed to slope to drain

How to Overcome the Slope to Drain Challenge Successfully

Scott carothers
Scott Carothers
May 13, 2022
No Comments

Effectively installing the proper slope to drain as well as meeting the flatness requirement of the ANSI standard is challenging. Here, CTEF’s Scott Carothers walks us through the steps required to successfully install tile to achieve both. 


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outside corner cuts

How To Successfully Make Tile Outside Corner Cuts

Scott carothers
Scott Carothers
April 15, 2022
No Comments

Corner cuts on a job are inevitable, but they are tricky and can cost you both time and money. Scott provides a simple solution.


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spalling on outdoor tile

Indoor vs. Outdoor: The Importance of Tile Porosity in Extreme Conditions

Scott carothers
Scott Carothers
March 11, 2022
No Comments

Not all tile is created equal. This is not to infer that we are talking about the size, shape or thickness, but rather the durability of the tile in extreme environments.


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applying mortar to a mosaic tile installation

Mosaic Tile Installation Without Squeeze Up

Scott carothers
Scott Carothers
January 27, 2022
2 Comments
Almost everyone who has installed or helped to install porcelain or glass mosaic tile has had to correct the age-old problem known as thin-set mortar squeeze-up between each tile.
Read More
cracked grout in a shower corner

When to Use Grout or Sealant at Inside Corners on Tile Installations

Scott carothers
Scott Carothers
November 22, 2021
One Comment

Grout goes in the grout joints and sealant goes in the locations designated as movement accommodation joints by the design professional or engineer, but sometimes it doesn’t work out as planned.


Read More
More Articles Tagged with 'CTEF Tile Tip'
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