leak proof shower no more a worry

One of the most common problems pertaining to a shower area is water accumulation over the pan liner. Since your tile floor is not completely waterproof, some water will trickle down to the pan liner. In case your pan slope is not appropriate, the water that seeps down the tile floor might not be directed towards the drain, and might accumulate between the floor and the pan liner. This water accumulation could lead to serious problem of mold in your shower area in the long run. Whats more, in case there is a leakage in your pan liner, your sub floor could also get damaged due to the water leak.
Traditional mortar beds can soak the excess water and can remain wet for a long duration of time, thereby resulting in damage to the tiles as well as the grout lines. Further, mortar can choke the drain weep holes, thereby resulting in a blocked shower drain. All such problems can result in an unpleasant showering experience for you.

A leaky shower area or excessive mold could cause serious problems and could result in unnecessary repairs and maintenance expenses. Now, with the introduction of ready to tile shower pans, leaky shower is no more a worry. Ready to tile shower pans are a contemporary version of traditional pan liners, which used to be placed over the shower sub floor. Ready to tile shower pans are manufactured with high grade polystyrene, and are rot proof as well as leak proof.
Ready to tile shower pans have a pre-formed slope of 1/4” per foot that is as per the industry standards. This slope ensures that any water which seeps through the tile floor is effectively directed towards the shower drain weep holes. Effective drainage and non accumulation of water below the tile floor ensures no leakage and no mold growth in your shower area.
Constructing a traditional mortar bed shower pan requires a lot of time as well as a little masonry skills. However, the easy and convenient structure of ready-to-tile-shower pans ensures that every do-it-yourself enthusiast can install it without any difficulty. The fact that these pan floors can be tiled as soon as they have been installed makes them all the more convenient and effective.

Although installing a pan liner is still the most popular method of constructing a shower area, more and more people are realizing the importance of ready to tile pan floors. Their easy to install and highly effective nature ensures high value for money. Further, the preformed slope, which is in accordance with the industry standards, ensures that any water that seeps through the shower floor is effectively directed towards the drain weep holes. You can also find a few ready to tile shower pans that come with integrated curb to ensure that you do not to spend extra time or money into building a shower curb. It is due to benefits such as these that the use of ready to tile shower pans has picked up significantly in recent times.
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Design an elegant and effective shower area

The shower area, for most people, is their own private space where they can refresh and rejuvenate themselves. It is due to this reason that a shower area should be designed and constructed with extreme care and precision. One of the most important components of a shower area is the shower pan. Shower pan is the area between the tiled floor and the sub floor, and is crucial to maintain the integrity of the shower area.
In case your shower pan area is such that water accumulates there, you could face serious problems of mold growth. Further, in case your shower pan leaks, there could be damage to your shower floor. One of the most effective solutions to this problem is ProPan ready to tile shower pan system, which is an easy to install shower pan floor. ProPan is a waterproof shower pan that can be ideally installed in shower areas of different sizes, thereby ensuring high utility.

Although ProPan is available in different standard sizes, one of the biggest advantages of using ProPan is that it can be modified, cut or extended according to the specific size of the shower area. This feature ensures that your contractor can cut the Pan at the job site as per the requirements.
ProPan is a ready to tile shower pan that eliminates the need to set up a separate layer of pan liner. Although a pan liner is widely used to prevent leakage to the sub floor, there are chances of water accumulating over this pan liner, thereby resulting in the growth of mold. ProPan comes with a pre-formed pitch of ¼” per foot, thereby ensuring that there is no water accumulation below the shower floor. This standardized slope makes sure that any water that seeps through the tiled floor is directed effectively towards the drain opening.
Another benefit offered by ProPan is that it comes with a full foam curb assembly, which can also be customized as per the shower size area. Two of the most time consuming and crucial activities related to building a shower area are constructing a shower curb and waterproofing the sub floor. By installing ProPan, you will be able to effectively take care of both these activities, thereby ensuring a perfect shower area.

The ease of installation and high utility of ProPan ready to tile shower pan systems have ensured that they are widely used for flooring and tiling activities. As compared to traditional mud beds that took 2 to 3 days to set-in, ProPan can be installed in a matter of hours. Further, its ready to tile feature ensures that you are able to design and construct an effective shower area within a short period of time and without the assistance of professionals. ProPan is manufactured using rot proof material to ensure that it remains effective for a long period of time.
An improperly built shower area will require regular maintenance and additions from your side; therefore, it is essential that you get it right the first time. This has been made possible through the use of a ready to tile shower pan such as ProPan.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Build a perfect curb for that unmatched shower area

April 27th, 2010 by flooringsupply | Edit this entry Leave a reply »

While building a shower area, a number of individuals give the least priority to a shower curb. The results of this negligence are frequent leaks and unnecessary expenses in repairs and maintenance of the shower area. The curb of your shower area acts as a dam and prevents water from spilling out to the floor. It is for this reason that the process of building a shower curb should be given high priority and should be completed with extreme care.
If a shower curb is not built with utmost care, the nails can puncture through the pan liner and can cause it to leak. It is to remove this problem that Kirb-Perfect can be an ideal solution. Kirb-Perfect is an easy to install structure that can be used to build a shower curb that is perfectly pitched and that maintains the integrity of the pan liner. Kirb-Perfect is made up of high quality non rotting plastic to ensure long durability of the curb structure.
Kirb-Perfect can be used both with a 2×4 membrane wrapped wooden curb as well as non-wooden curb. In both the cases, the nails are to be used on the outside of the curb structure, thereby ensuring that the integrity of the pan liner is not affected. The use of Kirb-Perfect also makes it easier to use light weight mud to cover the curb structure.

The biggest advantage of Kirb-Perfect is that is allows construction of a curb even without the use of 2×4 wooden blocks. This can be done by inserting the pan liner between the interior and exterior portions of Kirb-Perfect while screwing them together. Since nails will not be used in the inside of the pan liner, there is no scope for any leakage to the sub floor.
The ease of installation associated with Kirb-Perfect makes it a perfect choice for ‘Do-It-Yourself’ enthusiasts. All that is required to use Kirb-Perfect in building a perfect shower curb is attaching its 3 sides and trimming it on the inside to accommodate pre-pitch. The next step is to place this structure over the 2×4 wooden blocks or over the pan liner and fill it with mud. The ease of installation and the high utility offered by Kirb-Perfect makes it an ideal choice for any shower area building project.

A shower area is incomplete without a proper curb to keep the water in the shower area and to prevent it from splashing outside. Since your tile flooring is porous, there is a possibility that water might seep down to the pan liner. Although a pan liner is there to ensure that the water which seeps down is directed into the drain, in case your pan liner leaks, you could face serious problems of water accumulation. By using Kirb-Perfect, you can ensure that there is no damage to the pan liner and that in case any water seeps down to the sub floor, it is effectively directed into the drain. This would enable you to build a perfect curb for an unmatched shower area.
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DIY only if you have the skill and patience

It is always advisable to think about the pros & cons before taking up responsibility. Performing a task may not be as easy as it may appear to be. One should take up a job only if capable enough of finishing it with perfection.
It is never advised to undertake a job unless you are not sure of completing it. When it comes to individually finishing a task to perfection, patience is the most important virtue required to do it. If you do not possess the necessary skills required to execute the job you are bound to make severe mistakes. It is therefore advisable to get professional help if you are not sure of accomplishing the task on your own.
Your home is your most important asset. When it comes to renovating your house or performing repairs you must do it yourself only if you know how to do it. People of late are becoming conscious about the kind of flooring they have in their houses. A lot of people are resorting to changing their flooring and go for more eco-friendly options. However, when it comes to changing or renovating the floors it is highly essential that unless you possess the necessary expertise, you should hire professional help.
Though DIY is a better option since it is the cheapest option as you do not have to pay anyone for getting the job done. However, make sure that you can skillfully complete the job because a single mistake on your part can incur more expenses to fix the problem. Moreover, insurance policies generally do not cover accidents caused while performing a DIY job. Hence, before you plan to start a DIY construction or renovation work at your place, contact your insurance company and make sure that you and associated perils are covered by your insurance plan.
In case you are planning to renovate your home on your own, you must understand that it will take time, skill and patience. Moreover, before you start any job, make your plan of action, and according to the layout, ascertain that you have all the requisite tools. Apart from this you must also know about the legal restrictions and get a building consent from your local council, if the law requires. You must carry your work in a systematic manner so that the job is manageable and can be completed on time. Further, it is advisable that you start with simpler task and then move on to difficult jobs.
For instance, if you are planning to tile your bathroom floor you must ensure, that you have a proper layout and accordingly priorities your time. In case you can only work on weekends, then you must be prepared to bear with half-done bathroom for at least a couple of weeks. Apart from this, the drying time will take a couple of more days. Before starting the job, make sure you have all the tools and a plan of action in place. The biggest consideration is that you must have patience, skill and will to complete the task. Moreover, if someone among your friends or family has completed similar work, take their help as they will be able to guide you better and give tips to successfully complete the work. Once you successfully completed simpler tasks, you can move on to tedious job as you would have acquired the necessary skill by then.
Hence, judge yourself and decide whether you have the skill and patience to undertake a DIY work. If not, contact a professional contractor.
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Carpeting VS tiling

Homeowners who are either building, or remolding their house, face a dilemma of whether or not to use carpet flooring. The countless flooring options available in the market these days have increased the options and complicated the task of selecting one for your house. Although carpeting still remains one of the most preferred flooring options, there are a number of problems associated with this type of flooring.

One of the major concerns that homeowners have regarding carpet flooring is keeping it clean. It is very easy for dust, food particles and other items to get trapped within the fabric of the carpet. A dirty carpet not only affects the aesthetics of the house but also becomes the source of allergies. Further, cleaning these impurities is a difficult task and requires specialized resources.

Generally, contemporary wall to wall carpets consist of synthetic fibers as well as dyes and glue that release harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These VOCs not only cause allergies but can also act as carcinogens, thereby affecting the health of the family members.

On the other hand are the tiled floors, which offer a number of advantages over a carpet floor. One of the biggest advantages of having a tiled floor is the availability of different shapes, sizes and colors. From a wide pool of vinyl, ceramic or porcelain tiles, you can select the one that best suits the decor of your house.

Another significant benefit of using a tiled floor is the ease of maintenance offered by it. Vinyl and ceramic tiles are generally stain resistant and spills can be easily wiped using a piece of cloth. Further, routine cleaning requires a mild cleansing agent and a mop, thereby significantly reducing the efforts associated with a tiled floor.

Installing a tiled floor is generally much simpler and less time consuming as compared to other types of flooring. You can use a low toxicity thin set mortar to set your tiled floor in an effective and convenient manner. Further, grouting is also easy and any DIY enthusiast can use resources such as the Grout Remover and the Grout Caulk Thinset to complete the grouting job. In case a tile gets damaged, all that is required to fix the problem is, to remove the damaged tile and set-in a new one. This ease in repairs and minimal requirement of maintenance makes tiles the ideal flooring option.

Finally tiles are highly versatile and can be used in any room of the house. Not just the living rooms and the bed rooms, but tiles can also be used in wet areas such as the bathroom and the kitchen. You can select anti slip tiles for your shower area for maximum effectiveness.

Therefore, it can be clearly seen that although carpeting is the preferred flooring choice of a number of individuals, tiles can become an ideal replacement. Not only do tiles enhance the aesthetics of a room, but are cost effective as well. Further, tiles are a much better option if you want a clean and healthy environment inside the house.

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History of American tiles

Tiles have been used by man for aesthetic purposes since a long time. Excavations have revealed that a number of civilizations in Babylon, Egypt, America and China used a variety of hardened clay to decorate walls, floors, pitchers and pots. Further, the discovery of natural pigments to color these tiles led to the development of colored and decorative tiles.

Apart from being used as a decorative item, the renaissance period saw the development of tiles into a canvas. During this period, a number of renowned artists painted their masterpiece on tiles. One of the main reasons for the popularity of tiles as a canvas was its high durability and the appealing background that it provided.

Fired clay tiles gained popularity in the United States during the late 19th century due to the widespread availability of the raw materials used to create them. Continuous development in tile manufacturing technology led to tiles being created through a systematic process by using roller kilns, higher firing temperatures and shorter firing cycles. Although this process has become outdated, the tiles created through this process are still in use around the United States.

Apart from the process of manufacturing tiles, the size of tiles have also undergone a tremendous change over the years. Earlier, standard sizes of either 4” x 4” or 8” x 8” were manufactured; with advancement in manufacturing technology, there is no limit to the size of tiles that can be manufactured. If the rate of technological advancement is anything to go by, we are sure to see a lot more changes in the size, shape, color and thickness of tiles.

Even the process of decorating tiles has undergone a significant change over the years. Earlier, glaze was applied on the surface of the tile using bell applicators; however, change in technology has facilitated tile decoration using flat silk screens, rotor or roller screens, laser screens and digital ink.

It was during the late 20th century that the trend of using porcelain tiles gained popularity. The main reason for the popularity of porcelain tiles was that they were ‘freeze thaw stable’ and had water absorption of less than 0.5%. These characteristics ensured that porcelain tiles could be used in any temperature and in any condition. Even NASA realized these characteristics and started using porcelain tiles on space shuttles to protect it during the re-entry procedure. Now, technological advancements have enabled tile manufacturers to create tiles that have the same surface color as the body color. This makes wear and tear marks almost non-existent on these tiles.

Tiles have been popular over the years due to their three main characteristics: they are hygienic, economical and green. Tiles are highly hygienic and are widely used in hospitals and educational communities due to this reason. Since tiles are highly durable and require little maintenance these prove to be highly cost effective in the long run. Finally, tiles can easily be recycled and are manufactured using natural materials, thereby reducing wastage and encouraging a ‘green’ change.

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Be a responsible citizen Use eco friendly products

The environment friendly products and materials are increasingly being used these days as it helps in reducing global warming & pollution. It is the responsibility of each & every individual to contribute towards making the environment clean & healthy. Hence, make your contribution by going green and using eco friendly products for building or renovating your home.

One must make use of natural stones, which can be used for building both, the interiors as well as the exteriors of the house. Marble and graphite are good examples of natural stones that are widely used for building homes; these are durable and require minimal maintenance. Moreover, these stones provide an elegant outlook and are highly reasonable when it comes to price.

You can also paint your roof in white or light colors. Not only will this look elegant, but will also help in reflecting back the harmful radiation; this is also good alternative to keep your house cool the natural way. The US Secretary of Energy and a Nobel prize-winning scientist Steven Chu stated that the green house effect can be minimized by making a building reflective where the sunlight gets bounced back into space.

While constructing or refurbishing your home, make use of eco friendly products such as environment friendly flooring material. Recently, these eco friendly products have become quite a rage since these are attractive, durable as well as affordable. Moreover, you have so many options to select from, such as bamboo which gives a wood like effect. Other options include cork flooring, linoleum flooring, stone flooring, ceramic or glass tiles. All these are eye catching options, come in variety of colors and are sturdy as well as long lasting. Apart from this, you can use radiant electric floor heating systems, based on the principle of thermal heat radiation. This is more beneficial than using other heating options, such as electric base board heat, gas furnaces, wood and boilers. Electric floor heating systems consume less energy and prove to be highly economical.

Moreover, you can use eco friendly cleaning solutions which do not contain harsh and harmful chemicals. The harmful chemicals present in traditional cleaning solutions can cause breathlessness, dizziness and uneasiness along with having long term side effects such as cancer. Apart from this, chemicals such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, sodium hydroxide and phosphates found in traditional cleaning solutions are harmful to the environment. Hence, make use of eco friendly cleaning solutions, made up of biodegradable constituents, with a neutral pH (7) as for cleaning your home.

The eco friendly products are not only beneficial for humans but also for the environment and if each one of us realizes the significance of these products, our planet will definitely become a cleaner place to live. Therefore, for your own benefit and for the benefit of mankind use eco friendly products for your home.

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Reduce your efforts in building an effective shower area

All you ‘do-it yourself’ enthusiasts who have tried building a shower area would know about the time and effort that goes into the process. Technicalities such as the pan liner slope, depth of the mortar bed and the shower floor slope can get tricky and can easily ruin your showering area. It is for this reason that most people prefer using the services of professional tradesmen to take care of all the technicalities and to build a perfect shower area.

One way to reduce all this time and effort, and to ensure that all the technicalities are taken care of effectively, is to use a ready to tile shower pan. Reputed ‘ready to tile‘ shower pans such as ProPan can be conveniently installed within a matter of hours, and can also be tiled within the same day. This is in sharp contrast to the time taken in installing a pan liner, mortar beds and tiles using the traditional methods.

Ready to tile pan liners are highly effective since they ensure a completely waterproof shower sub floor. Although installing a pan liner is considered to be the most effective ways of waterproofing the sub floor, there have been instances of a leakage in the pan liner damaging the plywood sub floor. Since ready to tile shower pans eliminate the need to install a pan liner, there will be no chance of a leakage to the sub floor. Further, these ready to tile shower pans are manufactured high quality polystyrene to ensure high durability and a longer working life.

Ready to tile shower pans such as ProPan also eliminate the need to slope the shower pan manually, thereby reducing the time involved in building the shower area. These ready to tile shower pans have a pre-formed slope of 1/4” per foot to ensure that any water that seep under the tiled floor is directed effectively towards the drain weep holes. Thus we can see that not only do ready to tile shower pans floors reduce the time and efforts involved in building a shower area, they also make the shower area more effective.

All those of you who are looking for a curb entry into the shower would find these ready to tile shower area to be of high utility. ProPan comes with an attachment for a curb, which can be installed on the site of the shower. Since building a curb involves a lot of time and a lot of precision, this facility of a curb attachment ensures that you are able to build an effective curb by spending a fraction of the time and energy that is involved in building a curb the traditional way.

Finally, in case you are worried that your shower area is not of standard size and that these ready to tile shower pans will not fit in your shower area, ProPan offers the ideal solution. ProPan can be cut or extended on the site according to the specific shower area size, thereby ensuring that you are able to use these ready to tile shower pans irrespective of the size of your shower area.

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Tiles are a great investment

Since tiles offer a number of advantages over other materials they are widely used for home renovation purposes. Tiles are widely preferred since they are highly durable and require very little maintenance. Let us take a look at some of the reasons that make tiles the right investment option:

One of the major reasons for the popularity of tiles is that there is a wide range for you to select from. You will find various tiles such as granite, marble, vinyl, stone and ceramic that offer specific benefits. Stone tiles offer a timeless aesthetic appeal, and are highly durable as well. On the other hand, ceramic tiles offer a more contemporary look along with being a lot more affordable to replace. With such a wide range to choose from, you cab ensures that you are able to select one that best suits the specific theme of your house. Tiles are available in different colors and you can either, mix & match to create a mosaic effect, or you can create borders or dividing lines using different tiles. Moreover, you can also find tiles with patterns and designs that continue into the next tile piece.

The best thing about tiles is that they are easy to clean and are resilient to dirt and water. Tiles have a smooth and shiny surface and any liquid that spills on it can be easily wiped off using a piece of cloth. This is in contrast to paint or wallpaper that absorbs moisture and results in staining. This further makes tiles more effective at high moisture areas such as the shower area.

Tiles are more resilient to chipping and other damages, thereby making them more durable than other flooring options. Since wood generally expands during the summers and contracts during the winters, it can pose a problem as a flooring option. Tiles are generally considered to be the strongest flooring material and are not prone to seasonal contraction and expansion, thereby making them an ideal flooring option for your house.

You can also use certain types of tiles to create a non slip area in you shower. Mosaic tiles, natural stone tiles porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles are ideal for creating a non slip area, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of your shower area.

Designing the various aspects of a house takes a lot of time and consideration. It is essential to select the right construction material and lights, among other things; however, one aspect of home designing that should be given the maximum consideration is the flooring. When it comes to flooring, tiles have become the preferred choice of many, due to the above-mentioned benefits as well as their cost effectiveness. These tiles enable to create the look of your house as you desire. It is for this reason that tiles are considered to be a great investment option over other materials, and are widely used by people for designing and renovating their homes.

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Use polyurethane sealants to repair cracks effectively

your walls and your floors, or you can undertake this task yourself. Although a number of serious cases of cracks would require you to call in an expert, minor cracks in your basement or on your concrete slabs can be easily fixed by using a polyurethane Sealant.

Polyurethane is an organic compound that has excellent corrosion and moisture resistance qualities. Further, polyurethane is also effective as a heavy duty adhesive and is ideal for coating. It is for this reason that polyurethane sealants are widely preferred for repairs and waterproofing in both commercial as well as domestic sectors. Apart from its heavy-duty adhesive and waterproofing properties, polyurethane is also renowned for the flexibility it offers when applied over joints.

This flexibility comes in handy while using over concrete joints since concrete expands and contracts due to temperature changes. If a concrete crack is not treated in time it would get worse and could result in significant damage in the future. What makes a polyurethane sealant more effective while fixing cracks in concrete is that it is generally applied using a caulking gun. This makes it significantly easier to fill in the cracks with the sealant, thereby resulting in effective repairs.

Polyurethane sealants are also ideal to repair cracks in wood floors due to its various benefits. Polyurethane offers excellent abrasion resistance as well as scuff resistance, thereby making it ideal for use on wood. The use of a polyurethane sealant on wooden floors will ensure an effective waterproof and water resistant layer.

Polyurethane sealants have very high viscosity and can easily seep into even the minutest cracks to form an effective and waterproof seal. This is especially effective in case you find minor cracks in your basement wall. Although, a crack in the basement wall could be due to improper foundation, but in case you find that it is not a foundation crack you can easily use a polyurethane sealant to fix the problem. Further, since a polyurethane sealant can easily expand and contract, your basement crack will be effectively sealed and will remain waterproof for a long time.

A high quality polyurethane sealant will effectively adhere to different surfaces such as wood, masonry, concrete, steel as well as aluminum. The polyurethane seal will remain flexible as well as corrosion resistant for a long time. You can even paint over a polyurethane seal to ensure that the aesthetics of your house are not affected in any way. It is due to the excellent adhesion qualities as well as the other additional benefits that are offered by a polyurethane sealant that these are becoming the preferred choice for home renovation and repair work.

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Ready to tile shower pans an ideal way to build a shower area

A shower pan is probably the most important part of a shower area since it prevents excess water from trickling down to the sub floor and causing damage. Traditionally, shower pans used to be made up of mortar; however, since mortar was not all that effective, a separate layer of pan liner used to be placed over the shower pan. Although this method is widely considered to be the most effective solution to the problem of leaky shower floors, there have been many instances of leakage in the pan liner as well.

It is in order to provide an effective solution to this problem that you can install ready to tile shower pan floors in your shower area. Ready to tile shower pan is an easy to install structure that can solve all the problems associated with traditional forms of shower pans. Let us take a look at some of the problems associated with traditional shower pans and how a ‘ready to tile’ shower pan solves those problems:

Creating a mortar shower bed is not an easy task and requires a lot of skill and labor. Multiple layers of material have to be used to ensure that water does not seep through to the sub floor. In case a pan liner is being used, it is essential to set it in the right place. Any miscalculation or problem during the creation of the pan floor can result in leakage and severe damage to other areas of your home. Since ready to tile pan floors are completely waterproof, there is no chance of a leakage to the sub floor.

In case you are concerned about molds that have appeared on your shower floor, the answer to this problem lies in the area in between the pan liner and the shower floor. Since your shower tiles are not completely waterproof, there is a chance that water might accumulate above the pan liner, thereby leading to the growth of mould. By using a ready to tile pan floor you will be able to eliminate this layer between your shower floor and the pan liner, thereby eliminating the chances of mould growth.

Finally, creating the appropriate slope on the shower floor can be a big challenge, especially for the ‘do-it-yourself’ enthusiasts. An inappropriate slope can lead to water accumulation on your shower floor, thereby leading to problems of leakage and water accumulation. However, most of the reputed ready to tile shower pans come with a pre-formed slope of ¼” per foot, thereby ensuring that your shower floor is perfectly pitched.

It is due to benefits such as these that ready to tile shower pans have gained in popularity across households. Further, these ready to tile shower pans are constructed using high grade material and are treated with waterproofing coatings to ensure that they remain waterproof for a long duration of time. So if you are looking to re-do your shower area or are considering building a new one, you should definitely consider using a ready to tile shower pan.

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Enhanced protection for your shower against water leakage

A shower area is your personal space, and it is important to keep it clean and dry in order to enjoy a refreshing showering experience. However, it is not uncommon to see problems such as molds and water leakage in a shower area. In order to provide an effective solution to this problem of water leakage & molds, you should ensure a proper slope of your pan liner as well as the tiled floor. Further, your shower area should also have an effective curb to make sure that water does not splash out and does not damage the surrounding areas.

A typical shower area consists of a sub floor, usually made up of plywood, a waterproof pan liner above the sub floor, layers of mortar and a tiled floor. Since the tiled floor is not completely waterproof, there are chances of water seeping down the layers of mortar and accumulating over the pan liner. In case there is a leakage in the pan liner, this accumulated water could seriously damage the plywood sub floor. Therefore, in order to ensure that there is no water accumulation over the pan liner there should be adequate pan liner pitch.

This pan liner pitch can easily be achieved by using Pre Pitch, which is a unique screeding tool used beneath the pan liner. Pre Pitch would create the desired level of sub floor pitch to ensure that water is directed effectively towards the drain weep holes. The convenient design of this system ensures that do-it-yourself enthusiasts will be able to install it without any hassles.

After creating the appropriate sub-floor pitch, your next line of defense against water accumulation and water leakage should be a proper shower floor pitch. By having a proper shower floor pitch, you will ensure that water flows directly into the drain, thereby reducing the chances of water seeping down the mortar layer. Quick Pitch is an effective system that can ensure that your shower floor has an appropriate slope of 1/4” per foot. Further, since Quick Pitch would be installed over a Center Ring, which will be placed on top of the drain flange bolts, it would not add to the slope of the pan liner.

Your final line of defense against water damage to your shower area would be an effective shower curb. A shower curb acts as a dam against the shower water and ensures that there is no water splashed outside the shower area. However, while installing a shower curb, there are chances of the pan liner getting damaged, thereby resulting in water leaking out on to the sub floor. Kirb Perfect is a unique solution to this problem since it ensures a perfect curb, without any damage to the pan liner.

Installing these three unique tools will effectively protect your shower area from extreme damage caused due to water leakage, mold and other similar damages. Moreover, the ease of installation offered by Pre Pitch, Quick Pitch and Kirb Perfect will ensure that you are able to create a perfect shower area in the most convenient manner possible.

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Remove Grout the easy way

Grouting is an important aspect of a tiling job, since it helps in binding the tiles together and enhances the look of the floor as well. The grout between the tiles however, can get discolored, or even worse, crack up. In such a situation, you would be required to either clean the discolored grout, or remove the cracked one and end up repeating the grouting process.

Cleaning the grout is a relatively easier process as compared to removing it. People can easily clean grout by using detergent powder, bleach or hydrogen peroxide. The real problem comes when the grout has to be removed since there is an imminent danger of damaging the tiles during the removal process. People, who use a chisel and hammer to remove the grout more often than not, crack the tiles while removing the grout. Although you can always call in a professional, however, in case you wish to do it yourself, you should consider purchasing an effective, hand or a power tool.

If you wish to remove the grout yourself and have a reciprocating saw in your toolkit you just need to purchase the latest Grout Grabber tool to convert your reciprocating saw into an effective grout removing tool. Grout Grabber consists of a set of special carbide grit blades that can be easily attached to a reciprocating saw. These blades have been specially designed to make the job of removing grout effective and convenient. The unique curved bottom of these blades ensures that you are able to easily initiate, and complete your grout removal process.

Not only can you use the Grout Grabber tool to remove damaged grout, but you can also use it to removing any thin-set that has emerged out of the grout. Further, Grout Grabber can be effectively used in between tile joints ranging from 1/8” to 1/2”. This ensures that you are able to use this tool irrespective of the design and layout of your tiled floor or walls. You can easily add or remove the blades to accommodate this tool as per the specific tile joint size in the floor or the wall of your house.

Once you have removed the damaged grout it is important to wash the tiled area well before re-grouting. This will ensure that all the grout and dust is washed away before a new layer of grout is installed. Grout Grabber will enable you to remove grout conveniently without making a mess.

By using such an effective grout removal tool you will be able to ensure that the grouting job is completed in an effective and affordable manner. You will further save on a lot of expenses by using Grout Grabber since you will not have to purchase any additional hand tool or power tool to remove the damaged grout from in-between the tiles; and the fact that it is easy & convenient to use, you will not be required to hire any external help, which further adds on to your savings. So go ahead and use Grout Grabber in order to effectively complete a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ grout removal job in your house.

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Tiling ideas for your bathroom

Although you have the option of using a number of different types of materials in your bathroom; most people prefer to use ceramic tiles due to the various benefits these offer. Tiles can be conveniently placed and come in a variety of designs, colors shapes and sizes. Most people prefer ceramic tiles since they are highly durable, resistant to dampness and easy to clean. However, there are a number of other tiling options that you can avail in order to make your bathroom more attractive and aesthetically appealing.

In case you have used ceramic tiles of the same color in your bathroom you can create a contrasting border by using tiles of different colors. Such an integration of colors will significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom.

The grout is an important aspect of your bathroom, and selecting a contrasting grout color can enable you to create an attractive color combination in your bathroom. For example, if you have white tiles in your bathroom, you can select grout colors such as red, blue or green.

You can mix and match the size of tiles that you use in your bathroom. It is not necessary to use the traditional sized tiles; you can easily pick from a number of different options that are available in the market these days. Use your creativity in order to achieve a look that is as per your requirements.

Another great tiling idea for your bathroom is to use metal tiles instead of ceramic. Metal tiles, although a bit costly, are in vogue when it comes to designing the bathrooms, and are being used widely. Metal tiles are generally used to integrate mosaic with stone tiles.

The color combination of the tiles is not meant only to enhance the looks of the bathroom but also to give a soothing sensation. Therefore, you should carefully select the colors of the tiles for the floor or the walls of your bathroom in order to have a comforting experience while taking a shower or lying in the tub.

The colors selected can also make your bathroom look large or small. Dark colored tiles generally reduce the perceived size of your bathroom, while on the other hand light colored tiles reflect light and make your bathroom area look more spacious.

Another idea to improve the aesthetics of your bathroom is to use multi-colored tiles in the shower area and in other parts of the bathroom. Or in case you want to use the same colored tiles in the entire bathroom you can arrange them differently in the shower area and the rest of the bathroom.

These are just a few of the many innovative ideas that you can make use of, while tiling your bathroom. In order to make the right choice of tiles to select for your bathroom you should visit the website of reputed tile suppliers such as FlooringSupplyShop; here you will be able to shortlist and select tiles of colors and designs that best suit your specific taste.

Designing with Tile by Flooring Supply Shop

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Custom designed shower area made easy

While building a custom designed shower area, most do-it-yourself’ enthusiasts will face the problem of designing an appropriate floor pitch. An appropriate floor pitch ensures that water flows directly into the shower drain and does not accumulate on the shower floor. You might use complicated and sophisticated measurement tools to create the perfect floor slope, but there is still no guarantee of achieving the desired results.

However, technological advancement in the form of Quick Pitch has emerged as an ideal solution to the problem of an irregular shower floor pitch. The simplicity of this product makes it ideal for people who are looking to build a custom designed shower area with the minimum of fuss. Quick Pitch consists of float sticks and a center ring, which are used to create a standard slope of 1/4" per 12" on the shower floor.

The problem of irregular floor pitch is not a minor one, and should not be taken lightly while designing a shower floor. Water that accumulates on the shower floor can easily seep into the mud bed, thereby resulting in various ‘water ponding’ issues.

Another advantage of a proper shower pitch is that since water would not accumulate on the shower floor, the tile floor will last for a longer duration of time. Water seeping through the tiles can weaken the bond, thereby forcing you to redo your tile flooring after regular intervals of time. In order to create a long-lasting tiling on your shower floor, you should avail of the Quick Pitch system.

For maximum utility, you should use Quick Pitch along with Pre Pitch and Kirb Perfect systems. Not only is it necessary to have a proper slope on the shower floor, but it is equally important to have a proper slope on the sub floor as well. Pre Pitch is an easy to install system that facilitates an apt sloping sub floor beneath the pan liner. This slope will ensure that any moisture that seeps through the mud bed does not remain accumulated above the pan liner and is effectively directed towards the weep holes.

Using the Kirb Perfect system will allow you to easily and conveniently build a curb for your shower floor. Although the frame of a shower curb is traditionally built out of wood, there is a serious chance of damaging the pan liner while building such a curb around the shower area. While nailing the curb frame to the floor, you can easily damage the pan liner, thereby increasing the chances of a water leak. Since installing Kirb Perfect does not require you to nail the frame to the shower floor, there is no possibility of damaging your pan liner.

Since Quick Pitch has been specially designed for the convenience of ‘do-it-yourself’ enthusiasts, you will find that its use will significantly streamline your process of designing a shower area. So you can go ahead and install the Quick Pitch system and enjoy the benefits of a properly sloped and a well drained shower area.

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Select the right tile trim

Tile trims have been in use for a long time and are widely used to enhance the aesthetics of the tiled area. Trims are generally used on external corners to protect the external edges of tiles from damage. Therefore, trims can not only be used to give a professional and finished look to the tiles but can also be used to enhance their durability.

Tile trims are available in a wide of finishes such as plastic, matt, silk and glossy. You can either select a trim that blends in with the theme of your bathroom and kitchen, or you can select one that is in complete contrast. Further, trims are also available in various profile shapes such as round edged, straight edged and square edged. Your selection of the tile trim to use will depend on various factors such as the tiled area, size of the tiles and the color and design theme of the tiled area.

Matching of the trim and the tile grout is important to ensure a consistent look throughout the entire tiled area. The color of grout used by most people is generally white or in related shades. In case you are considering a different colored grout make sure that your choice of tile trim matches with it.

The main use of trims on floors is to provide an effective transition of the tiles into the adjacent floor covering, such as hardwood or carpet. You can even use a sloped trim in case there is a height difference between the tiled floor and the adjacent floor. One essential factor to consider while selecting floor tile trims is that there should be no extra space for the dust to accumulate. It is for this reason that a trim with a cove shaped base is generally preferred when it comes to selecting a trim for floor tiles.

Tile trims are also ideal for use on countertops to form a waterproof and aesthetically pleasing assembly. You can easily find specific tile trims for areas under the sink, sink rails as well as countertop transitions. Tile trims in such areas will ensure that there no open spaces around the tiles for dirt and food to accumulate.

After selecting the tile trim you wish to use in your tiled area, it is essential to install it properly. Cutting trims the right way is essential to create a finished and professional look. Therefore, it is important to use a specialist’s tool to cut the trims in an accurate and precise manner. Next, you should properly clean the surface before installing the trim to ensure that there is no dust or impurity present. Finally, installing the trim in a perfect straight line is important for the final look of the tiled area.

Although the use of a tile trim is optional, it is highly recommended to use it in order to enhance the aesthetics as well as functionality of the tiled area. You would be able to make a better decision regarding the tile trim to use after inspecting the tiles that you are going to use.

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