The book opens with basics of ceramic and stone tile that walks the reader through the process of picking the right tile for their home, the kinds of tools they will need to complete various projects and how to prepare for a new tile installation. We appreciated this section since it does go into more information on the many different types of tile as well as their suggested uses. If you've always wanted a certain kind of tile, you may find that it's really not meant for that purpose, so this is a great place to start before you end up spending too much money on tile selection.

This section provides an absolutely exhaustive list of the tools you'll need and what purpose they serve. This is perfect for beginners who may not know exactly what they will need to get each type of job done. It also serves as a handy shopping list. Even the most complex tools are completely explained so that anyone can pick one up and begin using it properly.

The section on removing old flooring or countertops is very useful and contains some tips that will make the job go a lot faster. This is perfect for those who are not used to ripping out old tile and contains some safety tips that will make it a lot less dangerous for those who are new. In keeping with the times, this last section also includes a how-to on installing a floor warming system. This is not only energy efficient, but can greatly add to the value of your home. While you've got your old floor ripped out, you may as well take advantage of this new method of heating.

Moving on to the projects section, there are plenty of tasks here that will probably have you itching to redo something, anything in your home. They are all broken down so that anyone can follow them and get great results. You'll get how-to's on proper planning, and a material's list that makes it even easier to make sure you have everything you need before you get started.

While it includes plenty of flooring and countertop how-to's, we appreciated the projects on backsplashes, shower bases and the more extensive forms of flooring that include intricate designs. Everything is laid out logically and it very easy to follow.
Overall, this is an incredibly helpful book that more than deserves a place in your bookshelf. If you've got a tile project coming up, it's definitely a must-have. Even if you don't, after you read the book, you'll undoubtedly want to start one.

Originally posted 2008-11-21 05:14:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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First, it’s important to determine whether or not you’ll be staying in your home or selling it, before you think about switching the flooring. This will have a lot of bearing on your choices. If you like wood – perfect – you’ll be able to use it whether or not you want to sell your home. However, if you plan to stay, it’s important to focus on what you really like, not so much what is current.

As we mentioned previously, buyers today are looking for clean wood floors in medium shades that aren’t visually offensive. Patterned wood or parquet is usually frowned upon, unless it is in an entry. Dark floors are dramatic when paired with ultra white walls, but this can really close in a room. By far, if you’re going to pick wood floors, go with a light or medium finish that brightens up the room.

Another flooring that has become more popular, especially in warm climates, is the use of ceramic tile. This is however very expensive and may not be long wearing. If you’ve got a lot of kids, or are particularly hard on floors, we don’t recommend ceramic tile, simply because it can easily crack. An extreme version of the sleek look is a poured concrete floor, but this is expensive and harder to maintain.

If you’re thinking about adding carpet, you will have a lot of options. Plush carpet is definitely a thing of the past and since it is so hard to maintain, this is a good thing. Plush carpet wears easily and your rooms end up looking like they have trails blazed through them thanks to foot traffic. If you’re going to install new carpet, go for neutral colors that are stain resistant. Dark colors are dramatic when it comes to wood flooring, but with carpet, it’s definitely overbearing and not a good thing.

Berber carpet wears the best and is easier to maintain but may be a little harsh if you’ve got kids that will be crawling (and falling) on it. Look for a softer material that is still long lasting and stain resistant but not so hard to the touch.

By far, the best compromise when it comes to flooring is to go with wood, and dress it up with some very nice rugs. This gives you the best of both worlds and you’ll have a lot more options. You can still get the benefit of carpet, while staying very current and yet timeless with your home. At the end of the day, your choices are up to you, but if you need to update your home, the above tips will keep you right on the edge of what’s hot.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-26 06:34:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Ceramic

One of the easiest ways to remove a bad water stain from a ceramic sink doesn't involve any cleaner. All you need for this project is a few sheets of drywall sandpaper. That's right - some sandpaper. Most products like this are black in color and have small holes. It's not as rough as sandpaper, you don't want to scrape the finish off your sink.

We recommend this fix for when all the cleaners you've tried have failed and you really want to get rid of that stain. Put on some gloves so you don't rip up your hands with the paper and you're ready to get started.

Make sure the sink is completely dry. Rub the paper in circles over the stain. You may really need to put some effort into it if the stain is very bad. Keep rubbing and you'll notice that black residue is being left on your sink. Don't worry, this is normal. If you need to rinse off the area to see your progress, remove the sandpaper from the sink, rinse it and completely dry the area off once again.

This technique works best completely dry, but if you do get your sandpaper a little wet, don't worry. This should completely remove your stain and is very useful if you're trying to take care of stains that collect around your drains that are very hard to remove.

Stainless Steel

It's a bit easier to clean off a stainless steel sink. We recommend using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to power off any nasty stains or white marks. It is best to use a soft cloth to avoid scratching the surface. If you prefer, you can also use half of a citrus fruit to get a very quick cleaning tool that works well.

You can take any citrus fruit, but we recommend a grapefruit since it is very acidic and quite a bit bigger so the job goes faster. Cut the fruit in half (watch your eyes!) and then place the half cut side down on the sink. Gently rub the fruit in a circle over the surface of the sink. You may want to wear gloves if you have sensitive hands since the juice can be pretty hard on your skin.

Once you've done this for a few minutes, you should notice the stains disappearing thanks to the citric acid. Now, rinse the sink thoroughly with cold water and then dry it. Once it is dry, you can take a small amount of olive oil on a soft cloth and rub it into the sink in spots where it still looks a little white.

We recommend oiling your stainless steel sink once a week to keep it looking shiny and to help it stay protected.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-28 06:54:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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• Restoring Tubs and Sinks Whether you have a fiberglass tub or sink or vitreous china, it doesn’t take long before stains start to appear. This is particularly true if you have hard water. While these unsightly stains can be frustrating, there are actually a few ways that you can easily get rid of them,......
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Bear in mind that painting ceramic tile that's on the walls will work fine. But tile in the tub or shower enclosure will have to be replaced if you want to change it. Any area where the tile will be constantly wet won't work for painting. Professionals have special chemicals and supplies that will allow them to essentially refinish tile in those areas. But for the home DIYer, painting ceramic tiles should be limited to those on the regular bathroom walls.

Preparation

No paint will stick to a shiny ceramic tile for very long, so the surface must be roughed. Using a tile cleaner with a tiny bit of abrasive in it, get the tile as sparkling as you possibly can. Make sure all the grout is secure and remove any mildew stains. If a cracked tile is present, now's the time to replace it. With a 200-220 grit sandpaper on an orbital sander (or any sander of your choice), remove the shine from the tile. Be sure to get the corners. If you miss any spots on the tile, the paint won't adhere in those areas. So be thorough with the sanding, and then remove all the dust from the tile.

You'll want paint thinners and rags handy to clean up after yourself, both to fix quick mistakes and to clean your supplies, because you'll be using oil-based paint. Latex is cheaper, easier to work with and less messy, but the finish won't be as durable as it would be with oil-based paint. Unless you're looking forward to painting ceramic tile again in a short amount of time, oil-based paint is well worth the extra cost and hassle.

Priming and Painting Ceramic Tile

Get the best adhesion primer you can afford, and go with oil based. First use a brush for the corners and then a short-nap roller. Take your time and get the smoothest coat you can. Let the coat dry and then prime with a second coat.

After this has dried overnight, use 220 grit sandpaper to lightly go over the surface. The object is to catch anything you created while priming. Don't sand the primer away, just flatten any bumps or lines. Use oil-based semi-gloss or high-gloss paint as your top coat, to get an amazingly durable finish. Several thinner coats are better than one or two thick ones. Be sure to let each coat dry thoroughly before you start the next one. Painting ceramic tile isn't difficult but you do need to follow some basic steps to ensure great results and fantastic new look for your bathroom.

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Photo Credits: Celeste33

Originally posted 2009-09-23 06:25:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Before you get started, you're going to need some tools. You'll need:

• a ladder that is tall (and safe) enough to reach your roof
• replacement
• tiles
• silicone
• caulk
• gloves
• measuring tape

It's actually quite easy to fix these tiles, but you're going to need to remember that your safety comes first before getting up on your own roof. If you have never gotten up there before, you may want to consider hiring a professional. However, if heights don't bother you and your roof doesn't have a funny pitch, you should be safe. Many people prefer to use a tethering system that will catch them if they slip. This is available at most hardware stores and is well worth the money.

Now, you're ready to get started. You're going to need your replacement tiles and they may be quite heavy. If you've got quite a few that need to be replaced, it's best to take them up in small batches rather than risk breaking some on the way up. Sure, it takes a bit longer and making 100 trips can be frustrating, but it's better than having to run out and find more tile. Whenever you get a new ceramic tile roof, we always recommend keeping a few replacement tiles around the house. You'll have the exact brand and color if you need to get more and it's a lot easier when you have them all ready to go.

Once you have your replacement tiles up on the roof, you're ready to get started. First, remove the old and broken tiles. You'll notice that on the back of each tile, there should be a copper wire hanger. By far, ceramic tiles are the easiest to replace, which is a good thing considering how easily they are damaged. Most roofers prefer to work with a wire that is bent into either a "Z" or an "L" to ensure that it will hang properly.

Remove that old tile and place it aside. Get your new tile and make sure that the wire is properly shaped. If your tile doesn't have copper wire hangers, you can buy some new wires to attach to the back. Take your silicone and place one bead between the hanger and the tile to make sure it will stick. You can also add caulk if you need a little more rigidity.

Slide the tile into place on the roof, catching the hanger so that it will remain attached to the other tiles. Repeat the same process with any other broken tiles and you're done!

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-15 04:14:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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