I will be remodeling a bathroom soon. I plan on replacing the skip sheet wood subfloor. My wife wants mosaic tile. What do you recommend for sub flooring under mosaic tile? Plywood or OSB? Thanks.
Bro, I am doing hexagon mosaics in my bathroom, I already got pissed the first time after laying it out perfectly then losing my line and rinsed em all off, (my thinset was too thin too) and doing it again today. BUT I am heading to the tile shope and getting epoxy grout combo and feel so much better about doing this. Thank You So much for real.
Tip 7 is the best tip I COULD have used. I just finished tiling my shower floor with hexagon mosaic about 20 mins. Ago. Epoxy would have been much better in my situation.
Great video. Very helpful. I am installing penny tile over a Kerdi shower pan. Can I use the Ardex WA (grout/adhesive) directly over the Kerdi shower pan?
so this ardex WA adhesive/grout, can I use this instead of thin set on top of my kerdi show pan and lay my 1 inch mosaic hexagon tile down on it and then next day "grout" it like shown in your video? if so, ill do this way rather than using a thin set and then an actual grout.
Thank you for the info much appreciated! I have a quick question. I have a wedi shower pan, my question is the 2x2 mosaic tile i will be installing says to use a 3/16 x 1/4 towel and then to lightly flatten the ridges. do i need to bother doing this if i use Arden WA as a tile adhesive and grout? i would so no but would like to make sure. Thanks
Question if you use red guard on a shower could you also use the schluter stuff and membrane on top of the red guard for and double water or proof layer?
Looked great . I have a project coming up and can't seem to find a video on how to tile up a floor to wall with about a tomato juice can sized radius. Any ideas
In my bathroom the subfloor is only half inch. I already bought the tiles, porcelain, 12x24 3/8 thick. Planning on using Ditra in between. Do I need to add another layer of plywood, maybe a 1/4 inch on top of the 1/2 inch?
Great video. Thanks especially for the tip on the Ardex WA. I’m thinking about using it to set and grout mosaics on my shower floor. Any experience or advice on using it to grout the shower wall tiles as well?
thank you and yes, biggest tip is to dampen the tiles before applying WA. Don’t saturate to the point of water being in the joints but just enough water to provide a surface that allows WA to glide into the joints. It will still stick to the tiles and that’s normal. Water and white scrubby pax’s help tool and clean the joints. Wear gloves, too
I've been fortunate to encounter 3/4 subloor. If they're planks, I remove and put 3/4 plywood. If I see 5/8 sublfoor, I will use 1/4 trowel notch of super flex and put 5/8 cement board sold at Lowes over that. I keep 1/8 space to allow to contraction. Then I use 1/2 trowel and apply super flex regardless the floor tile. Never crack.
What do you do with homes built in 1950s-1980s with 1/2" plywood subfloor? Adding another layer of 1/2" subfloor to strengthen it, and then ditra on top, and then tile makes that transition pretty tall. Do you cut out the 1/2" plywood and replace it with 3/4" plywood? Great video. I agree that cement board is on the way out for floors.
Great video, thanks. Do I need to worry about some chips/divots in my wood subfloor? There are a few here and there, 1/8” deep by an inch or two. Thanks.
If you don't mind, I have 2 questions: how do you deal kitchen granite counter, and how often? Second, I have a problem with the gutters' joint leaking. How do I remove the old seal, and what to use to stop leaking? Thank you.
we recommend consulting the granite supplier and asking them how frequently to seal it, but every 6 months is likely the recommendation. We're not really experts on gutters, so it's best to call a qualified roofer to seal that seam or replace the gutter
Thanks for the tips. Wish I would have watched this before redoing my shower. I have an issue maybe you can help me solve: when wet, my new shower floor fades. Odd... in the central area and not everywhere. It's various shades of grey and white and when wet it gets blotchy and slowly comes back to its normal color. It is a leak, did I choose the wrong tile for the floor? It's small tiles on a sheet we used. This porcelain. Worried about longevity. Appreciate any help. Gina
Great video, you covered off items not often discussed - amazing!! Just got a new sub! Question: If you are going over existing tile - what do you recommend as going on top of it if I need to raise the tile floor - plywood on top and what adhesive to use (since it can't be nailed ). Thanks for your help -Cheers, DIYers
Thanks. So going over tile is tricky. You really want to make sure its well bonded! Everything else on top will rely on that being set well. And if you need to raise things, I would recommend floor leveler. How much more height are we talking? If its under an 1", I'd say leveler would be the best bet
In a previous video where you showed how to layout shower floor you stressed leaving a 1/8 inch gap between the wall and the floor tile. My question is do you fill this gap with grout or wait until the wall tiles go up and grout or caulk between floor and wall tiles?
You do want to leave a minimum of and 1/8". 1/4" is actually the better amount. And you want to keep that area clear and free of grout and thinset. The wall tile or base trim should cover that gap. Also, 100% matching silicon is best for all corner joints
If you have the option I like to install ledgers on the wall below the drywall. Mock up underlayment thinset and tile then mount that ledger a smidge above the finished tile. If not then I like to cut using a jamb saw. This way floor goes under wall covering but still has a thick expansion space.
Question… are there alternative substrates to use with mosaic tile on floors other than durarock to reduce overall thickness of a newly installed floor?
Yes. I completed a master bath renovation. The Tile Shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan recommended Blanke Permat underlayment sheet. It has superior uncoupling and it’s very thin. It installs just as easy as the Schluter product. I will use it again. It is a little more expensive.
You say you don't need anything under the tile but plywood but how do you waterproof. I went back and reran that section and for the life of me, I didn't hear anything about that.
All I wanted to do was replace a worn stained bathroom vanity. Now I see I’m stuck ripping out the entire bathroom down to the studs. So sad. Would be easier to move.
Great video Steve. With regard to the flatness of the floor. Would a 1/4” difference be acceptable while using large format tiles in a larger room, like a kitchen?
This just goes to show how the guys who have been working on our shower don't know what the hell they are doing. We have made them rip out the penny tile on the floor of the shower twice, then asked for a new tile guy to do it a third time. The half pieces look awful and uneven and they didn't put them around the perimeter of the floor. They started doing that in some places, and not in others. When I asked about it, they said "cutting penny tiles is hard". If they mess it up again, we may just have to get a lawyer. We had a leak in February, they started demo and construction in March, and now it's the end of July. They originally said it would take 2-3 weeks, and here we are may months later. If this didn't start as an insurance claim, we would have fired them already.
I don't understand your objection to using Redguard or Hydroban or some other liquid membrane product to seal concrete baker board. And, I don't understand your objection to using backboard behind tile; you are an outlier about this, and it would be interesting to know details as to your thinking. You like the ditra because it is thin... so are the liquid membranes. You've given food for thought, but have left out the 'backstory' about your choices and preferences.
which isolation membrane would you use: DITRA or Cement Board?
Mapei mapeguard
Permat
Prova
1/4 Hardie backer and red gard waterproofing
Ditra
Great info, yup, I'm going to hire someone to do my bathroom.
That tip about using an epoxy grout for mosaic/penny tiles....brilliant and I am going to try it soon. Thanks.
I really appreciate the tip of using ARDEX WA for both the adhesive and the grout. Thank you.
I never heard of the adhesive grout. That is good to know, especially for certain tile. Nice video.
That was a great tip.
I will be remodeling a bathroom soon. I plan on replacing the skip sheet wood subfloor. My wife wants mosaic tile. What do you recommend for sub flooring under mosaic tile? Plywood or OSB? Thanks.
Super tips. Well done. Thanks a million.
Thank you for explaining, and good detail on installation. Your tutorials give better understanding, on the how & why. 😊
Fantastic tips especially the Ardex ,
Great video, thanks for sharing this valuable information
Absolute pro tips, love it, thank you!!!
Fantastic! Thx!!!
Great tips no doubt. So many of these tips are just easily overlooked & then you hit a snag down the line. Hoping all is well guys, Dirty Jersey out!!
That grout tip for the penny tile is key!
Excellent video you helped me out immensely. I installing mosaic tile over tile.
Bro, I am doing hexagon mosaics in my bathroom, I already got pissed the first time after laying it out perfectly then losing my line and rinsed em all off, (my thinset was too thin too) and doing it again today. BUT I am heading to the tile shope and getting epoxy grout combo and feel so much better about doing this. Thank You So much for real.
How did it turn out? We are going to be doing ours and am a little nervous
A lot of great information. Thanks for video tutor. Dr. A
Tip 7 is the best tip I COULD have used. I just finished tiling my shower floor with hexagon mosaic about 20 mins. Ago. Epoxy would have been much better in my situation.
Thanks for the tip on the Ardex WA...
happy to help, it’s not cheap but is fantastic
Great video !! Thank you
Excellent video. Do you seal the grout, and if so, what technique did you use to apply the sealer and remove the excess? Thank you.
Love these guys
Great video!
Excellent tips!
Why have I never thought of this or been recommended this before. Genius
Thanks for all the tips. Good to know stuff for diy. God bless brother!
Excellent video, you answered a lot of my questions.
thank you 😊
So helpful, thank you guys for all that you do!
thank you, happy to help 👍🏼
Thank you. Learned a lot.
lots of good information
Great video. Very helpful. I am installing penny tile over a Kerdi shower pan. Can I use the Ardex WA (grout/adhesive) directly over the Kerdi shower pan?
@@SteveC-d3s yes 👍🏽
Love you, thanks x
good tips; would be interested in more content on room transitions! thanks.
thanks, we also use Schluter RENO-V for transitions
Right on man!! 🙏👍👍
What product do you recommend for sealing cement board floor?
Thank you! Your videos give me so many useful tips. I just wish the products you recommend were all available here in Canada.
thanks Mike, let us know which products you’d need or if you want a comparable material
Mannn the last tip was it!! Saves a lot of time from getting your surface damn near perfect to reduce thinset blow out💪🏽
Can I use the Ardex over Ditra? And although mosaic I am using a 2” octagon mosaic. Is it okay over Ditra? Thanks love your videos
so this ardex WA adhesive/grout, can I use this instead of thin set on top of my kerdi show pan and lay my 1 inch mosaic hexagon tile down on it and then next day "grout" it like shown in your video? if so, ill do this way rather than using a thin set and then an actual grout.
can i use Ardex WA to adhere mosaic tile directly on Oatey Shower membrane?
Will this be the same procedures when doing a kitchen floor? Using ditra too?
yes, all these tips apply for any tile floor
I'm a sub contractor, i can tell when someone has it together. Thanks for your tips.
You just saved my ass! I was gonna use a normal tile adhesive with penny mosaic tomorrow!
Great tips!! What would you use between 3/4 plywood subfloor and tile for a laundry room? Thanks
Thank you for the info much appreciated! I have a quick question. I have a wedi shower pan, my question is the 2x2 mosaic tile i will be installing says to use a 3/16 x 1/4 towel and then to lightly flatten the ridges. do i need to bother doing this if i use Arden WA as a tile adhesive and grout? i would so no but would like to make sure. Thanks
Question if you use red guard on a shower could you also use the schluter stuff and membrane on top of the red guard for and double water or proof layer?
Looked great . I have a project coming up and can't seem to find a video on how to tile up a floor to wall with about a tomato juice can sized radius. Any ideas
In my bathroom the subfloor is only half inch. I already bought the tiles, porcelain, 12x24 3/8 thick. Planning on using Ditra in between. Do I need to add another layer of plywood, maybe a 1/4 inch on top of the 1/2 inch?
Awesome Video!!!! what's the minimum gap for 6 x 24" small bathroom floor porcelain tiles? is 1/16" fine? It's over 2" mud.
Hi I like your tips ,how can you distinguished vbetween two different porcelain tiles is good.
good question, look to see if the tiles are cupped in the middle, have straight edges, and create even grout joints when put together
@@HomeRepairTutor thank you for your response,yes your answers right ,I am a ceramic expert . Have a good one .
Can you use ardex on a 1 1/2 mud bed that has had thin set applied to it previously ?
Great video. Thanks especially for the tip on the Ardex WA. I’m thinking about using it to set and grout mosaics on my shower floor. Any experience or advice on using it to grout the shower wall tiles as well?
thank you and yes, biggest tip is to dampen the tiles before applying WA. Don’t saturate to the point of water being in the joints but just enough water to provide a surface that allows WA to glide into the joints. It will still stick to the tiles and that’s normal. Water and white scrubby pax’s help tool and clean the joints. Wear gloves, too
Should I finish my bathroom floor with a Aqua Mix Sealer
Hey Guys, great videos! Re: the Ardex WA: 1) can it be used to set a mosaic shower floor over a Schluter foam pan or Kerdi board? Thanks guys!
yes, we set mosaic over the Schluter pan in this bathroom with WA but would only use it as grout for vertical walls due to cost
I've been fortunate to encounter 3/4 subloor. If they're planks, I remove and put 3/4 plywood. If I see 5/8 sublfoor, I will use 1/4 trowel notch of super flex and put 5/8 cement board sold at Lowes over that. I keep 1/8 space to allow to contraction. Then I use 1/2 trowel and apply super flex regardless the floor tile. Never crack.
What do you do with homes built in 1950s-1980s with 1/2" plywood subfloor? Adding another layer of 1/2" subfloor to strengthen it, and then ditra on top, and then tile makes that transition pretty tall. Do you cut out the 1/2" plywood and replace it with 3/4" plywood? Great video. I agree that cement board is on the way out for floors.
that’s exactly what we’d do, remove the old 1/2” and replace with 3/4”. It’ll also give you the opportunity to inspect the joists and plumbing
Great video, thanks. Do I need to worry about some chips/divots in my wood subfloor? There are a few here and there, 1/8” deep by an inch or two. Thanks.
If you don't mind, I have 2 questions: how do you deal kitchen granite counter, and how often?
Second, I have a problem with the gutters' joint leaking. How do I remove the old seal, and what to use to stop leaking? Thank you.
we recommend consulting the granite supplier and asking them how frequently to seal it, but every 6 months is likely the recommendation. We're not really experts on gutters, so it's best to call a qualified roofer to seal that seam or replace the gutter
Thanks you. I already picked my tile and figured I picked the wrong one. For once I didn’t! I’m about to tile for the first time. 😬
Thanks for the tips. Wish I would have watched this before redoing my shower. I have an issue maybe you can help me solve: when wet, my new shower floor fades. Odd... in the central area and not everywhere. It's various shades of grey and white and when wet it gets blotchy and slowly comes back to its normal color. It is a leak, did I choose the wrong tile for the floor? It's small tiles on a sheet we used. This porcelain. Worried about longevity. Appreciate any help. Gina
I have pics I can send for better idea of you like. Gina
great
Hi. Is there a substitute product to the Ardex WA? Ardex not readily available in Ontario. Does Mapei or Custom make a similar product? thanks.
I'm not totally sure. I haven't seen another epoxy grout that can be used as an adhesive. I guess amazon won't ship out there?
Awesome video and great information
Great video, you covered off items not often discussed - amazing!! Just got a new sub! Question: If you are going over existing tile - what do you recommend as going on top of it if I need to raise the tile floor - plywood on top and what adhesive to use (since it can't be nailed ). Thanks for your help -Cheers, DIYers
Thanks. So going over tile is tricky. You really want to make sure its well bonded! Everything else on top will rely on that being set well. And if you need to raise things, I would recommend floor leveler. How much more height are we talking? If its under an 1", I'd say leveler would be the best bet
In a previous video where you showed how to layout shower floor you stressed leaving a 1/8 inch gap between the wall and the floor tile. My question is do you fill this gap with grout or wait until the wall tiles go up and grout or caulk between floor and wall tiles?
You do want to leave a minimum of and 1/8". 1/4" is actually the better amount. And you want to keep that area clear and free of grout and thinset. The wall tile or base trim should cover that gap. Also, 100% matching silicon is best for all corner joints
If you have the option I like to install ledgers on the wall below the drywall. Mock up underlayment thinset and tile then mount that ledger a smidge above the finished tile. If not then I like to cut using a jamb saw. This way floor goes under wall covering but still has a thick expansion space.
Question… are there alternative substrates to use with mosaic tile on floors other than durarock to reduce overall thickness of a newly installed floor?
Yes. I completed a master bath renovation. The Tile Shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan recommended Blanke Permat underlayment sheet. It has superior uncoupling and it’s very thin. It installs just as easy as the Schluter product. I will use it again. It is a little more expensive.
@@stroys7061 Is Blanke Permat an uncoupling membrane, though? I thought it was just crack reducing.
Most sources say you need 1.25 inch subfloor but you seem to say that .75 inch is sufficient for tiles other than marble or stone.??
You say you don't need anything under the tile but plywood but how do you waterproof. I went back and reran that section and for the life of me, I didn't hear anything about that.
Just need to clarify, bc I already purchased ditra heat system and marble mosaic tile. Is there any scenario where this is going to work out for me?
nuggets!
Wish I would’ve watched before I laid my penny tile!
All I wanted to do was replace a worn stained bathroom vanity. Now I see I’m stuck ripping out the entire bathroom down to the studs. So sad.
Would be easier to move.
How did it turn out for you?
Skipped over tieing joists together for a more solid floor..
Great video Steve. With regard to the flatness of the floor. Would a 1/4” difference be acceptable while using large format tiles in a larger room, like a kitchen?
polished marble is also slippery as hell. NOT good with water.
This just goes to show how the guys who have been working on our shower don't know what the hell they are doing. We have made them rip out the penny tile on the floor of the shower twice, then asked for a new tile guy to do it a third time. The half pieces look awful and uneven and they didn't put them around the perimeter of the floor. They started doing that in some places, and not in others. When I asked about it, they said "cutting penny tiles is hard". If they mess it up again, we may just have to get a lawyer. We had a leak in February, they started demo and construction in March, and now it's the end of July. They originally said it would take 2-3 weeks, and here we are may months later. If this didn't start as an insurance claim, we would have fired them already.
Well poop. I went to your website and those videos aren't free :(
I don't understand your objection to using Redguard or Hydroban or some other liquid membrane product to seal concrete baker board. And, I don't understand your objection to using backboard behind tile; you are an outlier about this, and it would be interesting to know details as to your thinking. You like the ditra because it is thin... so are the liquid membranes.
You've given food for thought, but have left out the 'backstory' about your choices and preferences.
Great info. Thank you!