Top tips for a successful tile installation

Tile is supposed to last a long time, so it is important to make sure you get started on the right foot. We have put together some quick tips for a successful tile installation.

1. Have you completed a project like ours before?

   This may seem silly at first, however with so many different types of projects out there it is important to make sure your installer has completed a job like yours in the past. Unless you have worked with the installer before and are sure of their abilities you don’t want to be their guinea pig.

2. What installation products are you planning on using?

   With so many different areas that tile can be installed, there are different tile installation products out there. Depending on the type of tile being installed, the location the tile is being installed and the type of grout is being used all factor in the products your installer will use. It is important to make sure that the installer uses the correct materials for your particular project.

3. Ask to verify layout

   Tile in a large part is a visual art, so personal preference plays a large role in tile layout. The best way to ensure a successful tile install is to make sure you and the tile installer are on the same page. This is especially true with intricate patterns or a especially visual area. Spend the time, and have your installer clearly show you how your final install will look.

4. Have the installer view the area before installation

   Seems fairly basic, however these days with COVID and social distancing we have been doing estimates off site quite a bit. It is important to have your installer physically view the area to be tiled. A picture can say a thousand words, however inconsistencies such as a bowed wall or a spongy sub floor can easily be missed by only viewing a photo or through video chat. If your installer has not been to your home before the install date it is important to understand there may be unexpected costs and increased time spent on your project.

5. Ask what type of waterproofing or shower system will be used

   Always ask your tile installer about what waterproofing will be used. No one thing provides us with more work then leaking showers. The simple way to avoid this is to use an experienced tile installer and to use a quality waterproofing system. There are a few different systems out there however all of them are designed to stop water from getting where it is not supposed to be. Tile and grout can handle continuously being soaking wet but wood can’t. Our team uses the full Schluter Systems and Wedi GmbH product lines to make sure we can fully stand behind the work we complete in your home or business.

Have any other questions about tile installation or would like a quote? Feel free to contact us at 403-888-3182 or send us a email.

Moisture problems in bathrooms

We get asked to look at moldy bathroom tile and failing tub surrounds quite often. While we can make the tile waterproof and make it function like it should, what we find is that most people seldom use the fan that is in their bathroom. Or if they do use it, it is only used for the another purpose. To the point that HVAC installers have started calling bathroom exhaust fans a “fart fan”.

Yes, these fans do remove smells and odours. But the main purpose for these fans being installed in bathrooms is to remove the warm moist air that is in bathrooms while they are being used. Whether it is from having a bath or shower, or just brushing your teeth. That humid air needs to be removed to stop mold and mildew from developing and causing damage to your home or business. It is important to note that this air needs to be removed from the building, not just the room. Often times when we are completing bathroom renovations we find exhaust fans that are vented into attics or even down and into other wall cavities. This can cause a lot of damage in your home, by allowing moisture to build-up in areas where it shouldn’t.

Often times we see homeowners not using the fans properly because they are either loud or are not installed correctly.  Both of these problems can be easily fixed:

Sound: By installing a fan that is under 1.5 sones a fan is much more likely to be used.

Installation: A bathroom fan should be ran for 20 minutes after a bath or shower has been had in the room.  This means that a fan should never be installed on the same switch as a the light above a shower for instance because most people will shut the light off when they leave the room. We recommend using a timed switch that allows for 15 minutes of operation after you leave the room. That way you can set the timer and forget about it. Along with the timer, running the ducting properly so that the air is removed from the building is important. As well as making sure this ducting  is insulated to protect from condensation in unconditioned spaces.

Your bathroom exhaust fan is an important part of keeping moisture managed in your home to prevent mold.  Along with the waterproofing around your shower and on your bathroom floor you also need to control the moisture that is in the air.  With a high quality bathroom fan and proper installation you can ensure your bathroom and its finishing last a long time.

Check out this article from CMHC for more information on preventing moisture problems in bathrooms: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/grho/moaiprre/moaiprre_009.cfm