"How do you know it works?" I've been asked this by more than one homeowner when installing their electric floor heat system. It's a good question. Frankly, it's too big of a risk to install the whole electric floor heat system with tile on top and then hope that it works when the project is … [Read more...] about Installing Electric Floor Heat: How to Not Void Your Warranty
Sealing the tub flange for tile: 3 methods
That pesky tub flange. You have the tile backer board installed and everything is waterproofed. Everything except that gap between the backer board and the tub flange. How do you waterproof that? How to waterproof the tub flange? To begin with, you can try reading the instructions for … [Read more...] about Sealing the tub flange for tile: 3 methods
Building a Custom Shower Niche from Scratch
This post covers: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Custom Recessed Shower Niche Other niche building posts: Part 4: Building a Custom Shower Niche from Scratch Sometimes there's no good way around it. Building your own custom recessed shower niche from scratch can … [Read more...] about Building a Custom Shower Niche from Scratch
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 … [Read more...] about Is Hardibacker and Durock cement board waterproof?
Tired of Bullnose Tile Trim? Here are 5 Tile Edge Trim Alternatives
Here are 5 alternatives to common bullnose tile edge trim. One of the mistakes that I see a lot of homeowners and DIYers make with tile installations is that they sometimes don't use any tile trim on the exposed tile edges. Many times they think the edge of the tile looks OK or they simply … [Read more...] about Tired of Bullnose Tile Trim? Here are 5 Tile Edge Trim Alternatives
How to Modify your Recessed Foam 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 Part 3: How to Modify your Recessed Foam Shower Niche Otherwise known as How to … [Read more...] about How to Modify your Recessed Foam Shower Niche
How to Build a Recessed Shampoo Shelf
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 Part 2 Building, Installing, and Tiling a Recessed Shampoo Shelf Enough Planning- Let's Start Building a Shampoo … [Read more...] about How to Build a Recessed Shampoo Shelf
How to Design a Preformed Foam Recessed Shower Niche
In this post we discuss: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Recessed Shower Niche Part 1: Planning and Layout Why a recessed shower niche? Recessed shower shelves are more popular than ever. People are tired of wire caddies and shampoo bottles all over the floor. You … [Read more...] about How to Design a Preformed Foam Recessed Shower Niche
Do Uncoupling Membranes Really Prevent Cracked Tile Floors?
You want to tile your concrete floor. But there's a problem. The concrete has cracks in it. You know that if you tile right over the crack you soon will have a floor tile that's cracked in the exact same spot. So what can you do to keep the tile from cracking? Do Uncoupling Membranes Really … [Read more...] about Do Uncoupling Membranes Really Prevent Cracked Tile Floors?
No Waterproofing: Will this cause shower leaks?
A leaking shower. The last thing anyone wants when they build a new shower. Yet I hear the following questions quite often: Isn't cement board waterproof?The tile and grout will keep the most of the water out, right?My contractor didn't put any waterproofing in our shower. Will this cause a … [Read more...] about No Waterproofing: Will this cause shower leaks?