Blog : Do It Yourself | Flooring Supply Shop Blog - Part 26Flooring Supplies

Enhanced protection for your shower against water leakage

light themed modern shower bathroom

A shower area is your personal space, and it is important to keep it clean and dry in order to enjoy a refreshing showering experience. However, it is not uncommon to see problems such as molds and water leakage in a shower area. In order to provide an effective solution to this problem of water leakage & molds, you should ensure a proper slope of your pan liner as well as the tiled floor. Further, your shower area should also have an effective curb to make sure that water does not splash out and does not damage the surrounding areas.

A typical shower area consists of a sub floor, usually made up of plywood, a waterproof pan liner above the sub floor, layers of mortar and a tiled floor. Since the tiled floor is not completely waterproof, there are chances of water seeping down the layers of mortar and accumulating over the pan liner. In case there is a leakage in the pan liner, this accumulated water could seriously damage the plywood sub floor. Therefore, in order to ensure that there is no water accumulation over the pan liner there should be adequate pan liner pitch.

This pan liner pitch can easily be achieved by using Pre Pitch, which is a unique screeding tool used beneath the pan liner. Pre Pitch would create the desired level of sub floor pitch to ensure that water is directed effectively towards the drain weep holes. The convenient design of this system ensures that do-it-yourself enthusiasts will be able to install it without any hassles.

After creating the appropriate sub-floor pitch, your next line of defense against water accumulation and water leakage should be a proper shower floor pitch. By having a proper shower floor pitch, you will ensure that water flows directly into the drain, thereby reducing the chances of water seeping down the mortar layer. Quick Pitch is an effective system that can ensure that your shower floor has an appropriate slope of 1/4” per foot. Further, since Quick Pitch would be installed over a Center Ring, which will be placed on top of the drain flange bolts, it would not add to the slope of the pan liner.

Your final line of defense against water damage to your shower area would be an effective shower curb. A shower curb acts as a dam against the shower water and ensures that there is no water splashed outside the shower area. However, while installing a shower curb, there are chances of the pan liner getting damaged, thereby resulting in water leaking out on to the sub floor. Kirb Perfect is a unique solution to this problem since it ensures a perfect curb, without any damage to the pan liner.

Installing these three unique tools will effectively protect your shower area from extreme damage caused due to water leakage, mold and other similar damages. Moreover, the ease of installation offered by Pre Pitch, Quick Pitch and Kirb Perfect will ensure that you are able to create a perfect shower area in the most convenient manner possible.

Remove Grout the easy way

Grouting is an important aspect of a tiling job since it helps in binding the tiles together, and enhances the look of the floor as well. The problem is that grout between the tiles can get discolored or crack. In such a situation, you would be required to either clean the discolored grout, or remove the cracked one and end up repeating the grouting process.

Cleaning the grout is a much easier process than removing it. People can easily clean grout by using detergent powder, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. The real problem comes when the grout has to be removed since there is an imminent danger of damaging the tiles during the removal process. People who use a chisel and hammer to remove the grout often crack the tiles while removing the grout. You can always call in a professional to fix the problem. However, if you purchase an effective hand or power tool you can save money by doing it yourself.

If you wish to remove the grout yourself and have a reciprocating saw in your toolkit you just need to purchase the latest Grout Grabber tool to convert your reciprocating saw into an effective grout removing tool. Grout Grabber consists of a set of special carbide grit blades that can be easily attached to a reciprocating saw. These blades have been specially designed to make the job of removing grout effective and convenient. The unique curved bottom of these blades ensures that you are able to easily initiate, and complete your grout removal process.

Not only can you use the Grout Grabber tool to remove damaged grout, but you can also use it to remove any thin-set that has emerged out of the grout. Further, Grout Grabber can be effectively used in between tile joints ranging from 1/8” to 1/2”. This ensures that you are able to use this tool irrespective of the design and layout of your tiled floor or walls. You can easily add or remove the blades to configure this tool as per the specific tile joint size in the floor or the wall of your house.

Once you have removed the damaged grout it is important to wash the tiled area well before re-grouting. This will ensure that all the grout and dust is washed away before a new layer of grout is installed. Grout Grabber will enable you to remove grout conveniently without making a mess.

By using such an effective grout removal tool you will be able to ensure that the grouting job is completed in an effective and affordable manner. You will further save on a lot of expenses by using Grout Grabber since you will not have to purchase any additional hand tool or power tool to remove the damaged grout from in-between the tiles Because it is easy & convenient to use, you will not be required to hire any external help. This further adds on to your savings. So go ahead and use Grout Grabber in order to effectively complete a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ grout removal job in your house.

Tiling ideas for your bathroom

Although you have the option of using a number of different types of materials in your bathroom; most people prefer to use ceramic tiles due to the various benefits these offer. Tiles can be conveniently placed and come in a variety of designs, colors, shapes and sizes. Most people prefer ceramic tiles since they are highly durable, resistant to dampness, and easy to clean. However, there are a number of other tiling options that you can utilize in order to make your bathroom more attractive and aesthetically appealing.

In case you have used ceramic tiles of the same color in your bathroom you can create a contrasting border by using tiles of different colors. Such an integration of colors will significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom.

The grout is an important aspect of your bathroom, and selecting a contrasting grout color can enable you to create an attractive color combination. For example, if you have white tiles in your bathroom, you can select grout colors such as red, blue or green.

You can mix and match the size of tiles that you use in your bathroom. It is not necessary to use the traditional sized tiles; you can easily pick from a number of different options that are available in the market these days. Use your creativity in order to achieve a look that is as per your requirements.

Another great tiling idea for your bathroom is to use metal tiles instead of ceramic. Metal tiles, although a bit costly, are in vogue when it comes to designing the bathrooms, and are being used widely. Metal tiles are generally used to integrate mosaic with stone tiles.

The color combination of the tiles is not meant only to enhance the looks of the bathroom but also to give a soothing sensation. Therefore, you should carefully select the colors of the tiles for the floor or the walls of your bathroom in order to have a comforting experience while taking a shower or lying in the tub.

The colors selected can also make your bathroom look large or small. Dark colored tiles generally reduce the perceived size of your bathroom, while on the other hand light colored tiles reflect light and make your bathroom area look more spacious.

Another idea to improve the aesthetics of your bathroom is to use multi-colored tiles in the shower area and in other parts of the bathroom. Or in case you want to use the same colored tiles in the entire bathroom you can arrange them differently in the shower area and the rest of the bathroom.

These are just a few of the many innovative ideas that you can make use of, while tiling your bathroom. In order to make the right choice of tiles to select for your bathroom you should visit the website of reputed tile suppliers such as FlooringSupplyShop; here you will be able to shortlist and select tiles of colors and designs that best suit your specific taste.

Designing with Tile by Flooring Supply Shop

Custom designed shower area made easy

While building a custom designed shower area, most do-it-yourself’ enthusiasts will face the problem of designing an appropriate floor pitch. An appropriate floor pitch ensures that water flows directly into the shower drain and does not accumulate on the shower floor. You might use complicated and sophisticated measurement tools to create the perfect floor slope, but there is still no guarantee of achieving the desired results.

However, technological advancement in the form of Quick Pitch has emerged as an ideal solution to the problem of an irregular shower floor pitch. The simplicity of this product makes it ideal for people who are looking to build a custom designed shower area with the minimum of fuss. Quick Pitch consists of float sticks and a center ring, which are used to create a standard slope of 1/4" per 12" on the shower floor.

The problem of irregular floor pitch is not a minor one, and should not be taken lightly while designing a shower floor. Water that accumulates on the shower floor can easily seep into the mud bed, thereby resulting in various ‘water ponding’ issues.

Another advantage of a proper shower pitch is that since water would not accumulate on the shower floor, the tile floor will last for a longer duration of time. Water seeping through the tiles can weaken the bond, thereby forcing you to redo your tile flooring after regular intervals of time. In order to create a long-lasting tiling on your shower floor, you should avail of the Quick Pitch system.

For maximum utility, you should use Quick Pitch along with Pre Pitch and Kirb Perfect systems. Not only is it necessary to have a proper slope on the shower floor, but it is equally important to have a proper slope on the sub floor as well. Pre Pitch is an easy to install system that facilitates an apt sloping sub floor beneath the pan liner. This slope will ensure that any moisture that seeps through the mud bed does not remain accumulated above the pan liner and is effectively directed towards the weep holes.

Using the Kirb Perfect system will allow you to easily and conveniently build a curb for your shower floor. Although the frame of a shower curb is traditionally built out of wood, there is a serious chance of damaging the pan liner while building such a curb around the shower area. While nailing the curb frame to the floor, you can easily damage the pan liner, thereby increasing the chances of a water leak. Since installing Kirb Perfect does not require you to nail the frame to the shower floor, there is no possibility of damaging your pan liner.

Since Quick Pitch has been specially designed for the convenience of ‘do-it-yourself’ enthusiasts, you will find that its use will significantly streamline your process of designing a shower area. So you can go ahead and install the Quick Pitch system and enjoy the benefits of a properly sloped and a well drained shower area.

Select the right tile trim

Trim, seal and enhance, tile trim, tile seal, enhance, edge, homelux usa, homelux uk, Metal Trim, tile trim,

Tile trims have been in use for a long time and are widely used to enhance the aesthetics of the tiled area. Trims are generally used on external corners to protect the external edges of tiles from damage. Therefore, trims can not only be used to give a professional and finished look to the tiles but can also be used to enhance their durability.

Tile trims are available in a wide variety of finishes such as plastic, matte, silk and glossy. You can either select a trim that blends in with the theme of your bathroom and kitchen, or you can select one that is in complete contrast. Further, trims are also available in various profile shapes such as round edged, straight edged and square edged. Your selection of the tile trim to use will depend on various factors such as the tiled area, size of the tiles and the color and design theme of the tiled area.

Trim, seal and enhance, tile trim, tile seal, enhance, edge, homelux usa, homelux uk, Metal Trim, tile trim,

Matching of the trim and the tile grout is important to ensure a consistent look throughout the entire tiled area. The color of grout used by most people is generally white or in related shades. In case you are considering a different colored grout make sure that your choice of tile trim matches with it.

The main use of trims on floors is to provide an effective transition of the tiles into the adjacent floor covering, such as hardwood or carpet. You can even use a sloped trim in case there is a height difference between the tiled floor and the adjacent floor. One essential factor to consider while selecting floor tile trims is that there should be no extra space for the dust to accumulate. It is for this reason that a trim with a cove shaped base is generally preferred when it comes to selecting a trim for floor tiles.

Tile trims are also ideal for use on countertops to form a waterproof and aesthetically pleasing assembly. You can easily find specific tile trims for areas under the sink, sink rails as well as countertop transitions. Tile trims in such areas will ensure that there no open spaces around the tiles for dirt and food to accumulate.

After selecting the tile trim you wish to use in your tiled area, it is essential to install it properly. Cutting trims the right way is essential to create a finished and professional look. Therefore, it is important to use a specialist’s tool to cut the trims in an accurate and precise manner. Next, you should properly clean the surface before installing the trim to ensure that there is no dust or impurity present. Finally, installing the trim in a perfect straight line is important for the final look of the tiled area.

Although the use of a tile trim is optional, it is highly recommended to use it in order to enhance the aesthetics as well as functionality of the tiled area. You would be able to make a better decision regarding the tile trim to use after inspecting the tiles that you are going to use.

Category: Do It Yourself

Enhanced protection for your shower against water leakage

Remove Grout the easy way

Tiling ideas for your bathroom

Custom designed shower area made easy

Select the right tile trim

About Us

Contact Us

Quick Links

Newsletter Subscription