3 DIY Tile Installation Products You Should Avoid
Do you enjoy home improvement shows and get excited when trying to replicate their design plans? Maybe it has inspired you to pull out your carpet and install tile in your home. You dream of gratifying results—your home’s value could increase with brand new tile floors, and they may give your home the clean lines you always wanted. Home remodeling tasks, however, are seldom as simple as they appear on television.
Using the proper products in a tile installation is paramount. If you try and cut corners with the products advertised which seem to be simple and easy instead of doing your own research, your DIY could turn into a DI Why? Don’t settle for every product pushed by a home improvement chain. If you’re undertaking the process of installing tile in your home, here are the top three products you should avoid.
Avoid Tile Adhesive Mats
Tile adhesive mats might be marketed as a fun and foolproof way to update your space with amazing designs, but peel and stick is not the way to go if you want to tile any area of your home. While this may appear to be a quick and effective solution to finish your home, expert tile installers in VA will warn you that tile adhesive mats might cause you more trouble than they’re worth. Here are some drawbacks to consider when using them in your home.
The Drawbacks of Tile Adhesive Mats
- Flat back – Unlike your average tile, adhesive tile mats have flat backs, meaning you have to apply them to grout right away.
- Bubbles – These tiles may be recommended for moisture prone environments, but they shouldn’t be! Excess moisture can lead to bubbling that would never happen with a regular tile.
- Weak adhesive – The adhesive on these tile mats may be weak which leads to shifting, gaps, and edges that won’t stay down, leaving your tile job uneven and unappealing, or worse yet, you could wind up with tiles that loosen or detach.
Avoid Acrylic Latex Caulk
Homeowners may fall prey to the magic of lofty promises that acrylic latex caulking advertises. However, acrylic latex caulk can be prone to molding, peeling, or drying out. This type of caulk is intended to help you fill gaps in your walls, ceilings, or trims— not for tile installation. This is because acrylic latex caulk cannot handle long-term moisture, which makes it a poor choice for tiling. It can be damaged if used in the bathroom, kitchen, or other parts of the house that have excess moisture or where water-based cleaning solutions are used.
Avoid Tile Mastic or Premixed Thinset
When you’re trying to find the right adhesive for your tile installation, big box stores may recommend tile mastic, also known as premixed thinset. Unfortunately, this type of adhesive is not the right kind for all tiling installations. Tile mastic only works in areas where there will be no moisture or heavy foot traffic. It may be sold as a quick ready-made option, but it can result in long curing times, insufficient adhesive, and sliding tiles.
Hire the Experts at Gibson Home Services as Your Tile Installer in VA
You may be an expert at DIY, but tile installation is no walk in the park. It’s better to leave product selection as well as the install to experienced tile installers in VA. If you live in the Northern Virginia area, Gibson Home Services can assist you in creating the tile installation of your dreams. Whether you want to give your kitchen an update with a new backsplash or install elegant new tile flooring in your home— Gibson Home Services is here for you. First and foremost, we value client satisfaction. This is why we make sure to provide you with clear communication, honest pricing, and timely service for your tile installation.
Call Gibson Home Services at 540-364-1200 for more information about your tile installation. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact us online. Our team of tile installers in VA will get back to you as soon as possible.
