Talking Tile: Top DIY Tips for Your Next Tiling Project - HTH 004

02/12/19 • 69 min

Adam Esparza of Ale Tile joins Aaron and Tracy this week to talk all things tile! Adam shares his winning formulas, top tips and insider knowledge to help make your next tiling project a breeze.

LET’S CHAT!

You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!

978-709-1040 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM!

MOST COMMON DIY MISTAKE ACCORDING TO ADAM:

Not figuring out layout

TRENDY TILES THAT AREN’T PRACTICAL:

Cement tiles are high maintenance (require sealing), consider the same look in a porcelain tile.

TIPS:

Asses foundation before deciding on your base flooring products.
Large format tiles help hide difficult flooring areas.
Choosing a cement base as opposed to Kerdi board is a more durable and affordable option, in Adam’s opinion.
To deal with different levels of flooring (wood that transitions into tile etc.), the new mats filled with thin set are a great option. Adam urges you to get creative and use a threshold or a T molding if necessary.
You really need to back butter plank tiles because they have a natural bow.
Always figure out your layout, pick the right tile for the job and start small when you’re learning! Try not to cut corners- be patient.
As your learning Adam suggests using the same color grout as the tile.

HARD-WOOD VS. HARD-WOOD STYLE TILES

Wood gives the warm feeling
Tile is more durable (great if you’re considering renting down the line)
Heated mats for under the tile are an option
Grout maintenance (Adam recommends a thin grout line close in color to the tile)

ADAM’S WINNING FORMULAS:

WALL MUD:1 shovel cement + 1 shovel lime to 4 shovels of sand.

FLOOR: 1 shovel cement to 4-5 shovels of sand.

TILE ON A BUDGET:

Do something classic that doesn’t go out of style like subway tile.
Big box stores will always be cheaper

KITCHEN GROUT MAINTENANCE:

Epoxy grout is great for backsplash. It doesn’t stain or crack.

Adam recommends this company- https://laticrete.com

SANDED GROUT VS. NON-SANDED:

Non-sanded grout is for grout joints less than 1/8th of an inch. Sanded is for anything larger.

QUICK TILE RUN-DOWN:

Porcelain works anywhere and can take a beating.
Ceramic is common in showers because of the glaze- it can also chip easily, so it’s better in lighter traffic areas.
Glass is great for backsplashes
Cement tiles stain easy and require a lot of maintenance- but look great!
Marble and stone ages, and requires a lot of maintenance as well.

DIY MUST HAVES:

Wet Saw
A scouring cutter
Trowel
Mortar mixer

PHONE CALLS:

Q: Is Red Gard necessary?A: It’s a great sense of insurance for crack prevention. Adam highly recommends Laticrete Hydro Ban as well. More expensive but an amazing product.https://laticrete.com/en/tile-and-stoneinstallation/waterproofing/hydro-ban

Q: I’m going to tile my tub surround, how do I keep the bottom row from falling off?A: Adam leaves the first row out and then you can put a piece of stick or a straight edge to create a line to stack on. Once it’s hard the next day you can cut in the first row.

Q: We had a hard time pulling out the “plus sign” spacers. Is there a better product?A: Adam suggests leave in spacers that become part of the thin set, or you can just make sure they’re not protruding and don’t get thin set on them. Push them all the way in.

Aaron suggests the horse-shoe shaped ones and the self leveling ones.

ADAM’S INFO

Website | aletile.comThe Gram | https://www.instagram.com/aletile

Website | https://howtohome.com/

Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp

Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij

Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc

Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH

SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:

Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp

Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm

Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c

Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo

Adam Esparza of Ale Tile joins Aaron and Tracy this week to talk all things tile! Adam shares his winning formulas, top tips and insider knowledge to help make your next tiling project a breeze.

LET’S CHAT!

You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!

978-709-1040 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM!

MOST COMMON DIY MISTAKE ACCORDING TO ADAM:

Not figuring out layout

TRENDY TILES THAT AREN’T PRACTICAL:

Cement tiles are high maintenance (require sealing), consider the same look in a porcelain tile.

TIPS:

Asses foundation before deciding on your base flooring products.
Large format tiles help hide difficult flooring areas.
Choosing a cement base as opposed to Kerdi board is a more durable and affordable option, in Adam’s opinion.
To deal with different levels of flooring (wood that transitions into tile etc.), the new mats filled with thin set are a great option. Adam urges you to get creative and use a threshold or a T molding if necessary.
You really need to back butter plank tiles because they have a natural bow.
Always figure out your layout, pick the right tile for the job and start small when you’re learning! Try not to cut corners- be patient.
As your learning Adam suggests using the same color grout as the tile.

HARD-WOOD VS. HARD-WOOD STYLE TILES

Wood gives the warm feeling
Tile is more durable (great if you’re considering renting down the line)
Heated mats for under the tile are an option
Grout maintenance (Adam recommends a thin grout line close in color to the tile)

ADAM’S WINNING FORMULAS:

WALL MUD:1 shovel cement + 1 shovel lime to 4 shovels of sand.

FLOOR: 1 shovel cement to 4-5 shovels of sand.

TILE ON A BUDGET:

Do something classic that doesn’t go out of style like subway tile.
Big box stores will always be cheaper

KITCHEN GROUT MAINTENANCE:

Epoxy grout is great for backsplash. It doesn’t stain or crack.

Adam recommends this company- https://laticrete.com

SANDED GROUT VS. NON-SANDED:

Non-sanded grout is for grout joints less than 1/8th of an inch. Sanded is for anything larger.

QUICK TILE RUN-DOWN:

Porcelain works anywhere and can take a beating.
Ceramic is common in showers because of the glaze- it can also chip easily, so it’s better in lighter traffic areas.
Glass is great for backsplashes
Cement tiles stain easy and require a lot of maintenance- but look great!
Marble and stone ages, and requires a lot of maintenance as well.

DIY MUST HAVES:

Wet Saw
A scouring cutter
Trowel
Mortar mixer

PHONE CALLS:

Aaron suggests the horse-shoe shaped ones and the self leveling ones.

ADAM’S INFO

Website | aletile.comThe Gram | https://www.instagram.com/aletile

Website | https://howtohome.com/

Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp

Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij

Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc

Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH

SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:

Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp

Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm

Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c

Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo

Previous Episode

Childproofing your Home - HTH 003

Aaron and Tracy share their best tips to childproof your home!

LET’S CHAT!

You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!

978-709-1040

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY!

FILTERBUY.COM

AARON MENTIONED:

BROWN PADDED FURNITURE PROTECTORS - https://amzn.to/2Uywv9l

CABINET LATCHES- https://amzn.to/2Sg2woT

MUNCHKIN ADHESIVE STRAPS- https://amzn.to/2MGCrKr

OUTLET PLUGS- https://amzn.to/2TmSAHx

ANTI-TIP STRAPS- https://amzn.to/2D6esQP

PLAY MATS - https://www.little-nomad.com/collections/play-mats-by-collection

RUBBER DUCK MINI BATH TUB- https://amzn.to/2GcRcU8

SLIP FREE MAT- https://amzn.to/2UvubzE

FIREPLACE SAFETY- https://amzn.to/2SgbWAP

TRACY MENTIONED:

BEMIS TOILET SEAT- https://amzn.to/2WxdXbe

TOILET SEAT LATCHES- https://amzn.to/2D0WQFE

FOAM BED BUMPERS- https://amzn.to/2MHcBpM

SLEEP AID RED NIGHT LIGHTS- https://amzn.to/2UrHmle

CLEAR CORNER PROTECTORS - https://amzn.to/2MF7Ywm

SPOUT COVER WITH TEMPERATURE READING- https://amzn.to/2Ut95Sz

TRACY ALSO USES THIS SPOUT COVER- https://amzn.to/2TksIfj

KNOB COVERS- https://amzn.to/2TtEioR

CLEAR PLEXIGLASS RAILINGS- https://amzn.to/2CV0T6E

CHILD-PROOFING DURING REMODEL:

Containment is key!

Be mindful of air quality- dust containment walls and zippered doors. Seal off air intakes.

Keep tools out of reach and make sure bulky equipment and ladders aren’t just propped against walls where kids can pull them down.

WE LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU’RE DIGGING! SHARE YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS WITH US VIA OUR PHONE LINE OR SOCIAL MEDIA

Website | https://howtohome.com/

Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp

Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij

Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc

Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH

Subscribe to the How to Home Podcast:

Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp

Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm

Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c

Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo

Next Episode

Home Security: Keep You and Your Property Safe - HTH 005

Ryan Kadoi joins Aaron and Tracy this week to share his top home security tips. We discuss the best cameras, sensors and smart home security systems - as well as simple & affordable DIY methods to keep your property safe from intruders!

LET'S CHAT! You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!

978-709-1040

PREVENTION TIPS: - Know your neighbors. Be aware of surroundings. NextDoor is a great way to keep an eye on the happenings in your neighborhood.

Be aware of your social media presence. Are you checking in at places and posting pics of yourself away from your home? Are you showcasing entry points in your home? Avoid unboxing videos.

Watch what you’re throwing in the mail. Shred mail and breakdown boxes.

Cameras (fake ones are better than nothing!)

Purchase floodlights

Install camera doorbells

Signage that your house is monitored is great.

Dogs are a great deterrent!

Get locked mailboxes

Place security at all entry points including second level.

EXTRA TIPS: - Smart locks/technology can be hacked, it’s best to have a mix of smart technology and key locks.

Amazon has a great variety of security products.

Keep your homeowners insurance up to date.

Engrave ID numbers onto valuables.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO FORK OUT ON SECURITY: Although this is a wide range depending on your needs, typically you can get something from $99-$300.

AARON MENTIONED: Kuna Security- https://getkuna.com

TRACY MENTIONED: ADT- https://www.adt.com Ring- https://shop.ring.com/collections/security-cams Arlo- https://www.arlo.com/en-us/

RYAN MENTIONED: Samsung Smart Things - https://www.smartthings.com Z Wave - https://www.z-wave.com Window Sensors - https://amzn.to/2GNk8T9

RYAN’S TOP 5 DIY HOME SECURITY PRODUCTS (in his words): 1.Smart DoorBell - Ring is my current doorbell of choice but Nest's bell is good as wellhttps://amzn.to/2X7NKQU https://nest.com/doorbell/nest-hello/overview/ 2.Blink Cameras - Love these cameras. Battery operated, easy to set up, can purchase both exterior and interior camerashttps://amzn.to/2BF5Pg5 3.Aeotec Door/Window Sensors - a bit pricey but integrates well with a smart-hub such as Samsung's Smartthings which is listed belowhttps://amzn.to/2DMpXgA 4.Wyze Cam - I wouldn't normally recommend two different types of cameras, but for those on a budget these $20.00 cams pack a ton of functionality...https://amzn.to/2X9QPA2 5.Smart Things - Not exactly a home security product, but it integrates well with security products and ties in home automation into one platform such as lights, locks, etc and is my current smarthub of choicehttps://www.smartthings.com/

AUDIENCE QUESTIONS

WIRED VS. WIRELESS? Wiring can be tricky but it’s more stable and recommended by Ryan. Wireless is dependant on charging, but easier to install. Tracy mentioned that her outdoor cameras also offer a solar option.

IS THERE A SMARTLOCK YOU RECOMMEND? Ryan isn’t a big fan, because there’s the possibility of it being hacked. He recommends a traditional lock and key, even though it doesn’t have the convenience factor.

Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp

Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij

Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc

Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH

SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp

Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm

Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c

Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM