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www.diytileguy.com

Expert Tile installation information for the DIYers

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    • Showers/Bathtubs
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  • Recessed Shampoo Niches
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Main Content

a kit of different sized notch trowels with one interchangeable handle

Tile Notched Trowel Buyer’s Guide

Notch trowels for tile are one of the tools that generate the most questions. I’m a professional tile installer that started setting tile in 1996. […]

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Recent Posts

Wedi Shower System overview: Curbed, Curbless, and linear drains

3 Types of Wedi Shower Systems: Fundo Primo, Ligno, Riolito

Are you interested in learning about the Wedi Shower System but find their funny names confusing? Wedi has multiple options available, so this post explains which one is which and the differences between them. Read on to learn how this system … [Read More...]

A post about marble floors being higher than adjacent flooring because of an additional layer of plywood underlayment being required

This is the Reason your Marble Floor Will Be Higher than Adjacent Flooring

Perhaps you have a newly built or recently remodeled home with a beautiful natural stone floor. Suddenly, you start seeing some cracks in the marble flooring. How can this happen? What could be the cause? The installers may not have added the … [Read More...]

featured image entitled 5 ways of handling uneven floor transitions

5 Ways to Handle Uneven Floor Transitions

This post will cover 5 different tile transition strips for uneven floors. Technically, one of them isn't a strip, but we'll get to that. The reason you are here is that you have: But first, have you considered... Making Your Uneven … [Read More...]

5 tips to prevent tile chipping when cutting

Tile Edges Chipping When You Cut? Here are 5 Reasons Why.

Are you struggling with chipped tile edges when you're cutting tiles? It's not uncommon. What's the cause? Are you doing something wrong? Perhaps it's the equipment? Here are 5 possible reasons for chipped tile cuts and what you can do to … [Read More...]

how to repair shower drain weep holes

How to Repair Your Shower Drain Weep Holes

Shower drain weep holes play a crucial role in maintaining proper drainage in a tile shower. These small openings allow excess water to escape from the shower base. This can help prevent mold, mildew smells, and standing water. Ensuring … [Read More...]

Popular Posts

12x24 tile installation guide

12×24 Tile Installation Guide (and other large format tiles)

5 tile edge trim options

Tired of Bullnose Tile Trim? Here are 5 Tile Edge Trim Alternatives

grout line spacing

How Big Should Your Grout Lines Be? (A Comprehensive Guide)

Which size notch trowel to use for tile

Trowel Size Matters: Which trowel size do I use for …?

cement board installation on floors

5 Ways to Screw Up your Cement Board Installation on Floors

tile backer board comparison

Tile Backer Board Breakdown

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Featured Videos!

Thinset

thinset decoded a buyers guide for tile adhesive

Tile Thinset Mortar: How to Buy the Best Adhesive for YOU!

It's difficult enough just selecting your tile let alone a tile mortar. Now you walk into the thinset aisle at the home improvement store and there are eight different choices of thinset … [Read More...]

modified and unmodified mortar

Modified vs Unmodified Thinset: Deciphering which you need for Schluter Kerdi & Ditra

Are you wondering about modified vs unmodified thinset mortars? Perhaps, you are thinking of installing a Ditra-Heat floor or a Schluter Kerdi Shower System? The internet is full of information … [Read More...]

mixing thinset basics

How to Mix Thinset Mortar

Mixing thinset. It must be a big secret. Otherwise, why can't you get a straight answer? Perhaps you've heard these: Yes, I've heard every one of those before and it's frustrating. I know … [Read More...]

mixing small batches of thinset 169

How to Mix Small Batches of Thinset Mortar

At last, mixing small batches of thinset doesn't have to be a secret! Finally, you too can know the exact amount of water and thinset powder to add together to get the perfect thinset consistency. … [Read More...]

premixed tile mastic bucket diytileguy

Premixed Tile Mastic: Where TO use it and What NOT to use it on

You know how tempting it is to grab that bucket of premixed tile mastic off of the shelf for your tile project. It's premixed, already the proper consistency, and it's really easy to use. But … [Read More...]

Trowels

1/2 inch square notch trowel is not recommended

1/2 x 1/2 inch Square Notch Trowel: The Worst Trowel for Large Format Tile?

The 1/2 x 1/2 inch square notch trowel is one of the most popular notch trowel sizes for large format tiles. The notches are big and deep with this trowel. That’s a good thing as you need more mortar for bigger tiles. So, what’s the problem with it? The 1/2-inch square notch trowel has a […]

a kit of different sized notch trowels with one interchangeable handle

Tile Notched Trowel Buyer’s Guide

Notch trowels for tile are one of the tools that generate the most questions. I’m a professional tile installer that started setting tile in 1996. These are the trowels that I and other tile installers use. We use different-sized trowels for different purposes. Down below, you’ll see what the trowels are used for and most […]

mortar on a floor that has been combed with a tile notch trowel

Mortar Coverage Basics: “What size Trowel…?” is the Wrong Question

You’re asking a very simple question: “What size trowel do I need for my tile project?” The reply should be very simple. However, the correct answer is “It depends.” The problem is that it’s not the right question to ask. Here’s what you should be asking: First, a refresher on why notch trowels for tile […]

Which size notch trowel to use for tile

Trowel Size Matters: Which trowel size do I use for …?

You want to know which notched tile trowel size to use for your tile project. The boxes of tile that you buy usually don’t tell you which size trowel to use with them. Consequently, I get asked about tile trowel sizes quite a bit. It seems as though it’s a big secret. This post will […]

Showers & Bathtubs

Kerdi drain vs clamping ring drain

Kerdi Drain vs Clamping Ring Drain: What’s the Difference?

Are you confused about why you need to spend $100 on a Kerdi drain when a clamping ring drain is $8? Perhaps your plumber installed the wrong drain and now you want to use the Schluter Kerdi Shower System? This post is going to tell you: Want to know more? Read on! 3-piece clamping ring […]

Durock cement board waterproof

Is Hardibacker and Durock cement board waterproof?

Reader question: Hi there. I recently finished grouting my tile surround in my shower. I posted photos on Facebook and somebody questioned whether I had waterproofed the Hardiebacker 500 board. Much to my dismay, I had never even heard of this… Anyway, I went to the James Hardie website and see nothing about waterproofing being […]

Hydroban waterproofing

No Waterproofing: Will this cause a shower to leak?

A leaking shower. The last thing anyone wants when they build a new shower. Yet I hear the following questions quite often: What inspired this post? A member of the John Bridge forum asking a simple enough question:  Is a moisture barrier required? He had hired a contractor to install his shower and the contractor […]

Recessed Shampoo Niches

How to Modify your Recessed Foam Shower Niche…

tile shower niche

In this post we cover: Keep in mind, you can always add some snazzy corner shelves instead of one of these niches. No? Well, read on! The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Recessed Shower Niche Make sure to read my post on 10 things to consider before installing your recessed shampoo shower niche (and […]

Installing a Recessed Shampoo Niche in an Exterior Wall of a Shower.…

recessed shampoo niches in an exterior wall

Here’s the dilemma. The customer wants a recessed shampoo niche. But once the walls were opened up there is no good place to put one. There are either wires and pipes in the way or the stud bay is too narrow. The only good place to install one would be on an exterior wall which […]

How to Build a Recessed Shampoo Shelf…

cut wall Hydroban niche

In this post we discuss: Don’t forget, it’s not too late to add that fancy shower corner shelf! The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Recessed Shower Niche Before you start demolition and reconstructing, make sure to read my post on 10 things to consider with your shampoo shower niche (and 2 things not to […]

Top Shared Posts

custom shower niche

Building a Custom Shower Niche from Scratch

This post covers: Cement board, foam board, and Hardibacker Cutting into wall framing  Waterproofing LOTS of photos! First, if you haven't read my post on 10 things to consider before

subway tile layout lines

Subway Tile Installation: Three Basic Tips

Subway Tile Installation: Three Basic Tips Subway tile- what's not to like? It's classic and timeless. Even in 2024, subway tile is a staple in tile design trends. I usually

recessed shampoo niches in an exterior wall

Installing a Recessed Shampoo Niche in an Exterior Wall of a Shower.

Here's the dilemma. The customer wants a recessed shampoo niche. But once the walls were opened up there is no good place to put one. There are either wires and

improper tile liner corner

5 signs your new tile shower will leak

You've hired someone to build your tile shower in your bathroom, but how do you know he or she's doing it correctly? How do you know that you won't have

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Hi! I'm James!

I own a bathroom remodeling company in the Seattle area and blog about tile installation in my spare time.

DIYTileGuy was created to help get good tile installation information to DIY'ers so they can build their own tile projects successfully.

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    • Showers/Bathtubs
    • Floor Prep
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    • Setting Tile
    • Tile Layout
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Glass Tile
  • Recessed Shampoo Niches
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