Tile Installation FAQ

You reach out by phone or the contact form, describe the project, and we schedule a time to come look at the space. We measure the area, assess the substrate condition, and talk through your tile selection if you have not already chosen one. You receive a written scope of work and price before anything starts. There is no commitment to proceed after the visit.

No. We can work with tile you have already purchased, tile you are still choosing, or help you think through format and material options based on the room. That said, if you have a tile in mind, bringing a sample or a product link to the estimate visit is helpful because the format and weight of the tile affects the installation method and adhesive selection.

It depends on the surface and the tile. For floors, we check flatness with a straightedge. Industry standards allow a maximum variation of 3/16 inch over 10 feet for most tile, and tighter for large-format tiles (24 inch and up). High spots are ground down and low spots filled with floor-leveling compound. For walls, we check for plumb and for any soft or damaged drywall or cement board that needs replacement. Shower and wet-area substrates require a waterproofing membrane before any tile is set.

A kitchen backsplash is typically one day. A bathroom floor with a tub surround is usually two to three days when you include set time before grouting. A full shower remodel with waterproofing, wall tile, and floor tile can take three to five days depending on the size and tile format. Large-format rectified tiles require longer set times and more careful leveling, so they extend the timeline compared to standard ceramic. We give you a realistic timeline in the written scope.

For a kitchen backsplash, the kitchen is generally usable in the evenings after work each day. For a full bathroom remodel, the bathroom will be out of service for the duration of the install. Shower tile requires the waterproofing membrane to cure before tile is set, and the grout needs to cure before water exposure, so there is a period of 24 to 48 hours at the end where the shower cannot be used. We plan around your home's bathroom situation and try to minimize inconvenience.

Lippage is the condition where adjacent tiles are not flush with each other, leaving an edge that catches light and feels uneven underfoot. It happens when the substrate is not flat enough, when the adhesive coverage is uneven, or when large-format tiles are set without leveling clips. We use tile leveling systems on any tile over about 12 inches in either dimension. The clips hold adjacent tiles at the same plane while the adhesive cures, then the clip stems are knocked off. It takes more time but it is the difference between a floor that looks flat and one that does not.

Sanded grout contains fine aggregate (sand) and is used for grout joints 1/8 inch and wider. The sand helps the grout resist shrinkage cracking in wider joints. Unsanded grout is used for joints under 1/8 inch, including the tight joints on polished stone tile, where sand would scratch the surface during application. Using the wrong grout type for the joint width causes premature cracking or surface damage. We select grout based on the tile material, joint width, and the application (floor vs. wall vs. wet area).

It depends on the tile and the grout. Porcelain and glazed ceramic tile bodies are non-porous and do not require sealing. The grout, however, is porous and benefits from a penetrating sealer in most installations, particularly in wet areas and floors. Natural stone tile (travertine, slate, marble, limestone) should always be sealed before grouting and again after, because the stone body itself is porous. We discuss sealing requirements with you before the job and can apply sealer as part of the installation process.

Not necessarily. Grout can be removed and replaced without disturbing the tile if the tile itself is still solidly adhered and the substrate is sound. Grout discoloration is often a maintenance issue that a professional cleaning and resealing can address. Cracking grout in localized areas sometimes indicates a substrate movement problem underneath, which does need to be investigated before simply re-grouting. We assess the condition honestly during the estimate visit and tell you what actually needs to happen versus what would just be cosmetic.