Interior Home Repair

Ceramic tile lends an attractive and decorative air to kitchen floors, walls and counters. Tile has the added benefit of being mostly liquid and stain resistant, and easy to clean. But those...

Mortar grout is located between the tiles on a floor or wall. Generally, it is the most porous part of the surface. Although the grout looks solid, it will absorb moisture and stains more readily...

Grout prevents moisture from seeping under tiles, but only if it's properly sealed. Grout, like all cement, is naturally porous, and will absorb moisture and stains if it isn't treated with a...

Grout can deteriorate over time or become stained, particularly in high-use areas like a bathroom. To keep the tile surface looking clean and bright, you may need to refinish the tile surface with...

If one of the tiles on your ceramic tile counter has been cracked, chipped, loosened or otherwise damaged, it's important to fix it right away. The tile on your countertop, along with the grout,...

Grout is an important part of bathroom tiling. It fills in the spaces between the tiles, protecting the tile from dirt, debris and water, and it assists in holding the tiles together. Grout can...

Grout is important to ceramic tiled bathrooms, as it not only fills in the gaps between the tiles, but deters moisture from seeping into the tiles. Over time, grout may become cracked, crumbly or...

Cleaning unsealed tiles is a necessary task. While tiles in general are relatively easy to clean, unsealed tiles make it difficult, as dirt and grime accumulate in the grout much more easily....

Efflorescence is the most common cause of a white discoloration on grouting, or any masonry surface. The first traces of this problem usually occur within several months after installation of the...

Redoing the flooring in your home makes a huge difference. Whether you are doing a complete remodel or a simple clean-up project, flooring will make the project look and feel better.

Replacing your laminate countertop with tile can update and renovate the appearance of your bathroom or kitchen. A laminate countertop can be replaced with ceramic tile simply by tiling on top of...

Loose tile is generally discovered with the noise of the tile bumping up against the grout. For a long time, repairing a loose tile meant replacing it altogether. This tactic is still an option...

Tile showers are a good style choice for bathrooms because they add a vintage look to the design. Unfortunately, tiles may break over the years by getting bumped or having heavy objects fall on...

Grout that has been damaged, cracked, corroded or otherwise compromised will make even a perfectly good ceramic tile wall or floor look as if the whole thing is falling apart. Grout damage can...

If one or more of the ceramic tiles on your bathroom floor or kitchen back splash is loose, it's important to reset it immediately. Tiles and grout together prevent moisture from getting...

If you love artistic home décor, then bathroom tile is often a coveted home improvement project. Whether it be new glamorous imported tile or tile from your local hardware store, tile ads...

It is important to promptly repair loose ceramic tiles. If left unfixed, moisture can build up underneath the tile and begin to damage the substructure. With the correct tools and materials, you...

If you have any kind of granite surface in your home, you eventually will have to clean the dirt and grime that can accumulate in the grout. Of course you could hire a professional, or with a...

Grouting between normal vinyl tile is not recommended. There is, however, a new vinyl tile on the market that is a groutable.

If you have installed new tile in your shower surround area, it will need to have grout applied to it. Grout can also be applied over existing tile that has damaged or stained grout. Doing so can...

There are various types of trowels used for laying tile. A trowel is not only used to spread grout, it also provides a texture in the grout, which increases surface area of the mortar and helps...

Many of us have experienced an unwanted house guest--black mold that makes itself at home in the grout between tiles. Though the stubborn molds like to take up residence in damp places like your...

Repairing tile grout is a simple, cost-effective way of improving the value of your home. Requiring nothing more than a few readily available tools, basic coordination and a little elbow grease,...

Grout is the gritty substance placed between tiles to fill in the space and help bind them together. Often times, the grout on kitchen tiles can become dirty, discolored or even deteriorated....

Grout is a cement-like material that fills gaps between tiles and fixtures so that moisture cannot leak into walls and flooring. Without it, water damage would be almost inevitable, and mold...

Grout installed in moist environments, such as showers, is prone to mold and mildew. Grout that contains no pigments can be easily cleaned with a bleach solution, but colored grouts must be...

If your tile wall or floor looks worn and stained, the grout may need replacement, rather than the tiles themselves. Good tile can last forever, but the grout---the mortar in the spaces between...

Whether your ceramic tile floor is newly installed or decades old, it will require caulking. This simple and inexpensive task can help to keep out excess moisture, which can cause rotted...

Does your kitchen or bathroom countertop have cracked, broken, or missing tile? How long have you been living this way? Don't stress out, just follow these steps to create a countertop that is...

Missing, cracked or discolored grout can make tiles on countertops or backsplashes appear old and dingy. Missing grout between tiles can also cause water damage to the substrate of a countertop....

When sealing the bathroom tile where it meets the counter top, most people use a silicone caulk. The silicone caulk looks good only if you do a really neat job. The silicone is sticky and hard to...

Installing ceramic, porcelain or even marble tiles isn't the easiest project you could undertake, but it's probably easier than you think. Begin by choosing what kind of tile you want, based on...

The process of removing wall tiles using heat is fairly straightforward. However, it can be a lot of work. Make sure that you have the time and dedication to do this type of remodeling before you...

Removing tiles can be hard work. The right tools make the job easier, however. Before you begin tile-removal, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with tools you may need. Many you may already...

If your ceramic tiles look crumbly and broken, look closer: chances are the tile is fine and it's the grout that's the problem. Grout--the special cement between the tiles--can start to crumble in...

Do you have a piece of tile that is broken or chipped on your counter, your wall, or your floor? (Or anywhere else, for that matter...). Follow these step-by-step instructions for removing and...

If you would like to improve the look of their kitchen by adding new granite countertops but think it's too expensive, consider installing granite tiles right over your existing countertop to...

While sealed ceramic floor tiles easily withstand most staining and water damage, it is not unusual for the grout to look worn after several years. Luckily, discolored or crumbling grout can...

Tile countertops with minimal damage can be repaired without replacing the entire surface. Although ceramic tile is strong and impervious to many types of damage, discolored grout or cracked tiles...

Natural stone tiles make beautiful floors, walls, counter tops and shower enclosures. Properly sealed and grouted, the installation will last a lifetime with reasonable care and maintenance....

Often a single tile in a shower will break, such as along a window inset, near a corner or around a soap dish. The cause may be settling of the foundation. You can replace these broken tiles and...

Replacing a tile shower surrounding a standard bathtub is necessary whenever there is water damage or excessive tile breakage. This job is challenging but can be done by the home owner if they...

Painting accidents happen. It is almost inevitable that flecks of paint will end up on objects and areas that you didn't intend to paint. If latex ends up on tile, this is rarely a big deal, even...

Broken or mismatched floor tile is unsightly. If you can't find tile to match, sometimes your only option is to replace the entire floor with new tile. Fortunately, there is an easy fix for this...

Labor costs for tiling are quite high, over $10 a square foot in my area. Calculating a savings of over $500, I decided to tackle the job. My bonus was that the finished product is nicer than if I...

Grout around the kitchen sink can undergo a lot of stress. It can become damaged when small cracks or holes form from constant shifting. When water continually runs through the holes, they...

Are you tired of the same old look inside of your home? Perhaps you are getting ready to sell your home and you want to increase its market value. Whatever your reasoning is for wanting to add...

Cleaning tile grout involves using a stiff bristle brush, a bucket and a commercial cleaning product or baking soda. Avoid chemical burn on hands and knees by wearing rubber gloves and knee pads...

Shower grout is exposed to frequent warmth and moisture, making it prone to mildew. Sealing the grout can help prevent mildew and will also make grout easier to clean. Ideally, grout in bathroom...

Clean ceramic tiles with a regular cleaner and mop, making sure that the grout in between the tiles is sealed to prevent dirt from permeating the surface. If grout has not been sealed, clean it...