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www.diytileguy.com

Expert Tile installation information for the DIYers

  • Trowel Size
  • Thinset
  • Planning and Design
  • Prep
    • Showers/Bathtubs
    • Floor Prep
    • Heated Floors
  • Install
    • Setting Tile
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    • Tips & Tricks
    • Glass Tile
  • Recessed Shampoo Niches
  • Tool/Product Reviews

James Upton

James Upton is the DIYTileGuy.

His background includes working in the construction/remodeling field for over 30 years and focusing on tile specifically since 1996.

In 2012, he started blogging tile installation advice on Tiger Mountain Tile Inc, his local business site. He later moved the blog over to its own dedicated domain www.diytileguy.com.

DIYTileGuy is recognized as one of the top DIY websites in the tile industry.

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

May 1, 2025 by James Upton Leave a Comment

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

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 works. In this post: Note: At this … [Read more...] about 3 Types of Wedi Shower Systems: Fundo Primo, Ligno, Riolito

Filed Under: Showers/Bathtubs

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

April 1, 2025 by James Upton 2 Comments

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

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 additional layer of plywood underlayment required … [Read more...] about This is the Reason your Marble Floor Will Be Higher than Adjacent Flooring

Filed Under: Floor Prep

5 Ways to Handle Uneven Floor Transitions

March 1, 2025 by James Upton 2 Comments

featured image entitled 5 ways of handling 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 Tile Floors... Even? I've written two posts, one … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Handle Uneven Floor Transitions

Filed Under: Planning and Design Tagged With: featured

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

February 1, 2025 by James Upton Leave a Comment

5 tips to prevent tile chipping when cutting

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 smooth things out. 1. Smoothing the cut First … [Read more...] about Tile Edges Chipping When You Cut? Here are 5 Reasons Why.

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

How to Repair Your Shower Drain Weep Holes

January 1, 2025 by James Upton 2 Comments

how to repair 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 that these holes remain clear is essential for … [Read more...] about How to Repair Your Shower Drain Weep Holes

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

One Thinset from Home Depot will do 80% of your Tile Installations

December 1, 2024 by James Upton 2 Comments

Examining each thinset mortar that Home Depot carries

"How do non-pros know what Home Depot thinset they should buy?", I wondered to myself as I walked the tile aisle's at my local Home Depot. My local store had 9 different bagged varieties of thinset mortar that cost anywhere from $6/bag to $60! This is in addition to the premixed tile adhesives … [Read more...] about One Thinset from Home Depot will do 80% of your Tile Installations

Filed Under: Thinset

Why liquid waterproofing is a bad idea for a shower pan

November 1, 2024 by James Upton Leave a Comment

liquid waterproofing feature image

There's more than one way to waterproof a shower. But liquid waterproofing is an especially enticing method for building a watertight shower pan, particularly with DIYers. So, here's the thing: Why shouldn't you build a shower pan with liquid waterproofing? What is the issue? Liquid … [Read more...] about Why liquid waterproofing is a bad idea for a shower pan

Filed Under: Showers/Bathtubs

Anti-Fracture vs Crack Isolation vs Uncoupling Membrane: What’s the difference?

October 1, 2024 by James Upton Leave a Comment

anti-fracture vs crack isolation vs uncoupling membranes. Lettering is superimposed over concrete with a crack going through it

You don't want your tile to crack so you're going to put some sort of crack suppressant under your tile. Yet, as you research, you realize all of these products seem to do the same thing. What gives? Why three different names for the same function? As the old saying goes, "the devil is in the … [Read more...] about Anti-Fracture vs Crack Isolation vs Uncoupling Membrane: What’s the difference?

Filed Under: Floor Prep

7 Compelling Reasons the Noble Freestyle Linear Drain is the Best Drain for Your Shower And 3 Reasons it Isn’t

September 1, 2024 by James Upton Leave a Comment

post about the plusses and minuses of the noble linear drain

When it comes to shopping for linear drains, the Noble Freestyle Linear Drain is a stellar choice. I've been installing tile full-time for nearly 30 years and this is my go-to linear drain. It's not perfect but it's very well-engineered. This post explains why I feel that way. Noble … [Read more...] about 7 Compelling Reasons the Noble Freestyle Linear Drain is the Best Drain for Your Shower And 3 Reasons it Isn’t

Filed Under: Tool/Product Reviews

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

July 31, 2024 by James Upton Leave a Comment

1/2 inch square notch trowel is not recommended

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 … [Read more...] about 1/2 x 1/2 inch Square Notch Trowel: The Worst Trowel for Large Format Tile?

Filed Under: Trowel Size Tagged With: featured

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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.

I hope you enjoy the site! Read More…

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