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www.diytileguy.com

Tile installation blog for the Do It Yourselfer

  • Planning and Design
  • Prep
    • Showers/Bathtubs
    • Floor Prep
  • Install
    • Niches
    • Setting Tile
    • Thinset
    • Tile Layout
    • Tips & Tricks
  • Tools/Products

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.

How to Mix Small Batches of Thinset Mortar

May 16, 2022 by DIYTileGuy 2 Comments

mixing small batches of thinset 169

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. This means: No more wondering what "peanut butter consistency" looks like No more struggling … [Read more...] about How to Mix Small Batches of Thinset Mortar

Filed Under: Thinset Tagged With: featured

How to Mix Thinset Mortar

April 30, 2022 by DIYTileGuy Leave a Comment

mixing thinset basics

Mixing thinset. It must be a big secret. Otherwise, why can't you get a straight answer? Perhaps you've heard these: "Mix it until it's like peanut butter""thinset consistency should be yogurt-y""Thinset should stay on your trowel when you turn it""Add powder until you make a volcano" Yes, … [Read more...] about How to Mix Thinset Mortar

Filed Under: Thinset Tagged With: featured

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

January 22, 2022 by DIYTileGuy 3 Comments

modified and unmodified mortar

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 and even misinformation on this very subject. In fact, this debate has stoked many of the … [Read more...] about Modified vs Unmodified Thinset: Deciphering which you need for Schluter Kerdi & Ditra

Filed Under: Thinset Tagged With: featured

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

January 2, 2022 by DIYTileGuy 4 Comments

thinset decoded a buyers guide for tile adhesive

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 mortar. Suddenly, questions start furiously bouncing into your head: What's the difference between the … [Read more...] about Tile Thinset Mortar: How to Buy the Best Adhesive for YOU!

Filed Under: Thinset Tagged With: featured

How bad of an idea is a marble shower?

June 11, 2021 by DIYTileGuy 3 Comments

wet spot on carrara marble shower wall

The appeal of a marble shower is quite understandable. Marble is beautiful and timeless. So, why would anyone frown on putting natural stone in your home? As a contractor, I get asked about putting marble and other natural stones in bathrooms quite often. In fact, it's quite common for a … [Read more...] about How bad of an idea is a marble shower?

Filed Under: Planning and Design

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

February 13, 2021 by DIYTileGuy 168 Comments

Which size notch trowel to use for tile

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. Finding the instructions on the notched trowels or the bags of … [Read more...] about Trowel Size Matters: Which trowel size do I use for …?

Filed Under: Tools/Products Tagged With: featured

Self-Leveling Underlayment: The Ultimate Guide

July 7, 2020 by DIYTileGuy 100 Comments

Self-leveling Underlayment

Self-leveling underlayment. It sounds soooooo easy, doesn't it? You simply pour the leveling cement over the floor and the product then just levels itself all on its own. Sort of like...magic, right? Self-leveling underlayment is not what it seems Self-leveling underlayment is, quite … [Read more...] about Self-Leveling Underlayment: The Ultimate Guide

Filed Under: Floor Prep Tagged With: featured

Flood testing a shower pan: Why it’s done and how to do it

June 2, 2020 by DIYTileGuy 20 Comments

Flood testing a shower pan

Flood testing a shower pan. I get several calls per year about showers that are leaking. Some of these showers are leaking after just a few years. Some, just a few weeks after they've been built. I estimate that those calls could probably be cut in half if this one simple step were done. … [Read more...] about Flood testing a shower pan: Why it’s done and how to do it

Filed Under: Showers/Bathtubs

Delta Cruzer 7-inch Tile Saw vs Dewalt D24000 | Tool Review

May 3, 2020 by DIYTileGuy 18 Comments

delta cruzer tile saw vs dewalt d24000 | diytileguy

Recently, I purchased the Delta Cruzer 7-inch tile saw (96-107). Having been a Dewalt D24000 owner for the last several years, I find it natural to compare the new Delta with the Dewalt. "But, is that really fair? A 7-inch saw vs a 10-inch? Why not compare apples-to-apples?" On the surface, … [Read more...] about Delta Cruzer 7-inch Tile Saw vs Dewalt D24000 | Tool Review

Filed Under: Tools/Products

Why You Should NOT Buy a Newly Remodeled Home

April 10, 2020 by DIYTileGuy 14 Comments

buyers remorse after buying newly remodeled home

I get it. Nobody gets excited about moving into an old, outdated house. Additionally, why would you want to go through the trouble of moving and then having to live through a renovation or even multiple renovations?! But, hear me out on this. There's a dark side to purchasing newly … [Read more...] about Why You Should NOT Buy a Newly Remodeled Home

Filed Under: Planning and Design

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  • DIYTileGuy on How to Mix Small Batches of Thinset Mortar
  • DIYTileGuy on Modified vs Unmodified Thinset: Deciphering which you need for Schluter Kerdi & Ditra
  • DIYTileGuy on The Little Known Cause of your Loose Floor Tiles
  • Colleen on How to Mix Small Batches of Thinset Mortar
  • Colleen on Modified vs Unmodified Thinset: Deciphering which you need for Schluter Kerdi & Ditra

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