Home Repair and Paint Guide

... In order to prevent cracks and discoloration, use a variable speed drill and new drill bits. Don’t apply much pressure, just let the drill do the work. Use a very slow speed in the 100 - 200 RPM range. Don’t use any type of hammer drill on tile because that will shatter it like glass. Since there is no way to score ceramic tile, you cannot use a punch to create a starting point for the drill. This causes the drill bit to wander over the surface, scratching it in the process. Use a piece of duct tape to keep the drill bit still until it bites into the surface. Again, don’t use much pressure. To prevent overheating, keep the drill bit cool by dipping it in a small container of fresh cutting oil every 15 seconds. Wipe excess oil from the bit with an old rag to keep the tile and grout from being contaminated. You can buy this oil at a home improvement store or plumbing supply house. Use diamond tipped bits for porcelain tile. These will do a satisfactory job as long as they are kept cool the same way as carbide bits. Once the drill bit cuts a cone-shaped hole into the tile, it will make good progress. Large holes can be created using a hole saw that has diamond cutting teeth. The hole saw must be equipped with a pilot bit that drills a smaller hole at the center of where the larger hole is to go. The pilot bit keeps the hole saw from wandering ...

... This is especially true for kitchens where large appliances are installed. Refrigerators are especially problematic because they are rolled into place, heavy, and occasionally moved so the floor can be cleaned. Cement board can be cut with a circular saw driving an abrasive blade, but that creates a ton of dust and can damage the saw motor. It’s better to score the backer board with a hand tool that has a carbide tip. Make several passes along the cut line, and then apply pressure to the other side of the cement board along the scored line. It usually snaps the backer board in two along the scribed line. Cement backer board can be screwed or nailed to the wood framing. Always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Screws are best because they hold tight and don’t loosen over time. Make sure that the screws or nails are corrosion resistant. Leave about a 1/8 inch gap between the boards and fill this gap with silicone caulk. Never install the board with an edge directly touching something like a bathtub rail because water can get into the board and destroy it. Instead, leave a 1/8 inch gap between the tub rail and cement board edge and fill the gap with silicone caulk. Allow the caulk to cure thoroughly and then start applying the ceramic tiles. If you took your time and made sure everything is flat and plumb, the tile installation should go smoothly with a very satisfying result. ... Cement backer board is a product that goes behind ceramic tile. It comes in all different types from cement to specialized gypsum core products that are faced with fiberglass. Cement board provides a very stable surface for ceramic tile. It is thin and installs easily with basic hand tools ...

... If you are not familiar with grout application, practice on a set of old tiles before starting your project. All powdered wall and floor grouts are made from Portland cement. Some grouts have additives such as powdered latex or acrylic to improve bonding. Portland cement can absorb water vapor from the air if left exposed. That’s why grout bags are lined with plastic. Don’t open a bag of grout until you are ready to use it.  The correct consistency of grout will stick to a putty knife and not droop or fall off. As stated earlier, mixing grout with too much water will cause it to fail over time. If you open a bag and find lumps or clumping, don’t use it because water vapor has already been introduced. You cannot discard the lumps and continue with the rest of the powder. Throw the entire bag away and start with a new one. The grout should look like a bag of baking powder, with no lumps. Mix enough grout for about 30 minutes of work. This will keep it from hardening and also keep you from trying to move too fast. Make sure you have an extra bag in case you mix a batch with too much water. If this happens, just add a little extra powder. If the grout starts to harden in the bucket, discard it and make a smaller batch. Don’t try to “save” it by adding water. This will guarantee premature failure at a later date. During application, use a sponge that is only damp with water. Squeeze all excess liquid from the sponge before working the grout. Don’t leave water sitting on the surface because this will weaken the material the same way as mixing it too thin. If you live in a very low humidity area, run a humidifier for 48 hours after the grout has been applied ...

... Tile floors are durable and easy to maintain. Just a quick wipe-off with water mixed with a tile cleaner will be enough to keep it looking shiny and new. If the grout is sealed, stains cannot penetrate it to cause discoloration. If you have children and/or pets that run in and out all day, you will definitely appreciate the easy cleanup. Tile is made by adding silica to pliable clay and forming it into uniform shapes. It is then coated with a quartz type of glaze and fired in a kiln. This heating changes the structure of the clay and produces a very hard substance. The resulting tiles are extremely wear resistant and durable. They will last for many years of high traffic use. Ceramic tile flooring can be damaged by dropping heavy objects on it. This will usually cause a crack or chip. This type of damage can be fixed by applying an epoxy repair material made for the purpose and then painting the crack with clear urethane. Of course, if the tile has a design on it, it will have to be replaced instead of attempting repair. Porcelain tile flooring is one of the most popular types. It’s extremely durable and has a very long lifespan, even under heavy use. It’s also easier to fix cracks and chips because the interior is the same color as the top surface.  Installing floor tile is quite a job, but is within the ability of a good handyman. If you have never worked with tile before, start with a piece of 4 x 8 plywood and practice with cheap tiles ...

... In order to be successful, you must purchase the correct type of paint, and then apply a coat of clear urethane to lock it in. Before starting, the tile must be perfectly clean. All traces of dirt, grease, and wax must be removed. Use a good tile cleaner (available at most home supply stores) and really scrub the tiles. Allow to dry thoroughly. It’s also a good idea to wipe the tiles with an old towel after they are dry to remove any film that might be left behind by the cleaner. Water-based paints that contain a urethane resin would be a good choice. Urethane is a very sticky glue and that’s just what you need to prevent peeling. Tile is smooth and shiny, and that’s not a good surface for adhesion. Paints containing urethane resin overcome this problem and provide a good lifespan. There are some areas where it’s not a good idea to paint tile. Do not apply it where it gets wet on a regular basis, such as the inside a tub or shower area. The bathroom floor should be fine because wet spots are not usually allowed to sit for long periods.  If you are going to paint the grout with the same color as the rest of the floor, the job will be much easier. Otherwise, you will have to either paint each individual tile by hand (keeping paint off of the grout), or mask the grout with acrylic masking tape before starting. This is slow and difficult to do, but will give good results as long as the tape is pressed down tight and you are careful while applying the paint. You can use a roller or a spray gun. If using a roller, go with with a low nap to keep bubbles and texture to a minimum. A sprayer will also work, but you will have to protect areas from over spray ...

... Try to compliment any pattern that is present. Don’t forget the color of cabinets, and also the type of lighting. A good backsplash design will enhance the overall look of your kitchen. On the other hand, a backsplash that doesn’t work well with the overall scheme of the kitchen will make you wish you had watched TV all weekend instead. Surface Preparation Tile can be installed over most substrates if they are clean, smooth and dry. Check with your supplier to see if the tile you have chosen requires a specific underlayment. Repair and level any damaged or uneven areas. Make certain your counter top is level. If not, insert shims between the lower cabinets and the countertop. Turn off power and water to any outlets within or near your work space. Be careful! Electric wires and plumbing run between studs in walls. Don’t make the mistake of cutting into either while they are still live. Layout and Cutting Dry fit your tiles and carefully mark with a pencil or felt-tip pen. Make straight or diagonal cuts with a tile cutter and curved cuts with a nipper. For best results on curved cuts, only chip small pieces at a time. Smooth sharp edges with a carborundum stone. Applying Adhesive and Setting Tiles Select the right adhesive for the substrate. If in doubt, ask the supplier for the correct type. Follow all instructions and precautions on the adhesive or mortar package. Mix only enough to be used within 30 minutes. Using the type of trowel recommended on the adhesive package, spread a 1/4″ coat on the surface using the flat side of the trowel. Next, hold the trowel at a 45 degree angle and use the notched side to comb adhesive into ridges ...

... Once the ceiling has been tiled, proceed to the back wall. Finish by applying tiles to the side walls, working from back to front. Horizontal Working Lines Horizontal working lines are drawn first. Make sure the lines are accurate and easy to see. The procedure to use depends on whether your tub or shower pan is level: Level Tub or Shower Pan - If the tub is level to within 1/8″, measure and mark your horizontal line from the high point of the tub. The 1/8″ difference (if there is a difference) can be hidden with grout. Measure up from the lip of the tub, the width of a tile plus 1/8″. Make a line (using a level and a straight edge) along the back wall and the two end walls.   Out of Level Tub or Shower Pan - If the tub is not level to 1/8″, mark your horizontal line from the low point. Determine a level line just like for a level tub and run a batten along the bottom of the line. It is usually best to nail a straight wooden batten so that the top of the batten is set to the horizontal line. This provides a level surface for the tile. After all the tile is laid, remove the batten and install the bottom row. You will have to cut the bottom row of tiles to fit along the uneven top edge of the tub or pan. Vertical Working Lines Setup the tiles so each edge (border) tile is the same width on each end, and more than half a tile wide ...