Note: The answers to the questions below should be regarded as recommendations only. Specific questions should be referred to a professional licensed tile professional or your floor covering retailer.
| 1. How long will tile last? |
| 2. Can porcelain tiles be laid directly on wood? |
| 3. Can I lay a new tile floor on an existing floor surface, like linoleum? |
| 4. Can tiles be laid on a cement floor? |
| 5. Can I remove tile that’s already on the floor? |
| 6. Can I remove ONE piece of ceramic floor tile without damaging the rest of the floor? |
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| 1. How long will tile last? |
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| As long as you don’t chip at the tile with any heavy or sharp objects, tile should last a very long time. Tile was found intact in the ancient ruins of Rome and Pompeii. After all, it’s made of finely ground stone, and hardened in a kiln. Regular basic maintenance and avoiding heavy drops should keep your tile lasting and looking great for many years. |
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| 2. Can porcelain tiles be laid directly on wood? |
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| It’s not recommended, especially for plywood floors, which can become porous over time, in which case the grout may not adhere sufficiently. The answer is yes, it’s possible with a hard wood, but it’s best to consult a licensed professional tile installer to ensure that the floor is level, square, and at least 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick. Nothing will ruin your tile more quickly than an uneven floor. It could crack the tiles and/or the grout. Always place a layer of hard tile backer board. If you’re tiling in a bathroom, be sure to use a water resistant level material. You want to ensure that any substrate is not going to expand or contract to any significant degree. |
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| 3. Can I lay a new tile floor on an existing floor surface, like linoleum? |
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| While it is not recommended, it may often be a less expensive proposition to tile over materials such as linoleum. Also, it’s a timesaver. Again, the key points to remember are to consult a licensed professional tile installer to ensure that the floor is level, square, and that the height of the floor, when tile and grout are added, does not interfere with either appliances or door openings. If you have height to spare, it’s a good idea to lay a base of stiff concrete board. You may also contact a Tesoro retailer for information on such a project. |
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| 4. Can tiles be laid on a cement floor? |
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| Yes. Cement floors (provided they are level) can be tiled over. |
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| 5. Can I remove tile that’s already on the floor? |
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| Actually, removing ceramic tile is easy. A licensed professional tile installer will simply use a hammer and break the tiles in the middle of the piece. Even if you're watching from another room, WEAR PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR, as some older ceramic tile pieces may fly about. Typically, the material underneath (grout or mortar) will break with each hammer strike. Consult a professional or your Tesoro retailer for help on this topic. |
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| 6. Can I remove ONE piece of ceramic floor tile without damaging the rest of the floor? |
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| This is pretty difficult and best left to a professional. However, if you’re going to try, remember a couple of key points: be sure you have a very strong color match, as one tile out of color will really draw attention to itself. Also, use a small chisel, and chip the old tile out. Don’t take any big whacks at it. Be patient. Be sure to remove ALL the grout for that piece of tile, while NOT removing any grout from underneath any of the surrounding pieces. You can then grout the empty area right up to the other four pieces, and lay in the new piece. |
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