Tile Repair Part 1

Tile:
Chipped, Broken, Missing, cracked or a hollow sound?
I'll walk you through this.
Now remember this is one of the more expensive repairs around the house.You need an assortment of tools. (See photo 1).→
The hollow sound is because the adhesive didn't bond with the floor/tile. Tap on the tile it will sound hollow! If it's cracked this could be an additional headache, most likely the floor has a crack also. This must be fixed prior to setting any new tiles, they will just crack again. You need to patch the floor over the crack w/ mesh tape
(See Photo) 2→
Use a little thinset on the floor and spread over the tape. This should prevent any cracks down the road.
1st: Do you have the original tiles for replacement? I sure hope so, because it's almost impossible to find a couple of new tiles that will match. You might have to take out more tiles and create a design of sorts to make it look right. I hope not, normally when tile is set the 1st time they leave a couple of tiles just for this. Next would be grout, now this isn't as critical as the original tiles, it might as well be. You can match the grout down the road, but it's a little tougher, you may have to play with the color a bit to get it to match. You know a sample of this and that, kinda thing. With any luck you have some old grout laying around next to those tiles! Next would be the size and the ability to cut to size the replacement tile(s). You can rent a wet saw at the old faithful hardware store, or some Home Depots will do the cut for you if you mark off the actual cut yourself, (sorry they don't come to the house and mark it). They also make cutting boards for straight cuts, (See Photo 3) → this you have to buy. You will need a pointer, (a type of putty knife), (See photo 4)↓
spacers, measure the distance of the grout already between your existing tiles for the size. They are standard sizes, 1/16", 1/8", 1/4", etc.
If there are going to be cuts. Nippers, you know ask! (See Photo 5)→
an old bucket, (this will depend on how much repair is needed. Small job small bucket, 2 gal. Large job, 5 gal. Get a bag/box of "thin set" don't worry about the color! this is basically the glue (ask). It comes as a powder that you add water and an acrylic additive, (again ask) some thin sets come pre-mixed w/ it. A sponge, when you get in the aisle, they are always there, their yellowish-orange, rubber gloves, no, not the ones that are surgical, the kind your mom washed the dishes in.
Get a rubber"float" this is used for grouting, (photo 6)↓
and knee pads, they aren't critical, but save your knees,(you can use the seat pad you take to the ball game, or a thick towel). Next how big is the tile?
We'll start with the floor repair.
You'll need a notched trowel for larger jobs,(photo 7)→
but for a couple of tiles you can use the pointer.
Okay, We're ready to start.
1st: Get a hammer, PLEASE get safety glasses , and an old towel, rag, etc. Lay the rag over the tile and smack it in the center w/ the hammer, not enough to send a nail through a wall, but hard enough to break the tile.Remove the towel is it cracked? Good, now remove the big pieces carefully, they might be sharp on the edge. Try to not break any areas that are "cuts". The part that might go under the door frame, dishwasher etc. This will save some time later. Get all the pieces out using the pointer as a scraper. Be careful not to disturb the surrounding tiles (you know how neighbor tiles can get)! It must be really clean and free of any stuff. A vacuum comes in handy here (be sure and get the pieces that flew away from the work area) or ouch! later. Scrape the old grout off the floor (pointer again) see how handy that tool is! When the floor is clean take the sponge and a clean bucket of water and wipe out the area, Let this set until it's dry. Do all tiles at the same time, When we start the reset, you don't want to stop to pop another tile. Check for hollow ones also. Some say you can use an oil based paint to just color the chip. Come on, We're gonna do this right! Next resetting. See ya' then!

Tile Repair Part 2

Okay, the area is clean, Now wipe it again with the sponge, I know, but I want it really clean. Make any cuts before proceeding, ( See tile repair part 1). Tile cutting is a little tricky, but can be done w/ some help.
These are just general types of cuts, E-mail me with difficult ones. I can photo you through these. Use the nippers (photo 3). →
for any uneven cuts, (∟←) like this. In the corner could be a chunk left from the saw. Sand the entire edge to get it kinda smooth, they make a stone for this too, (but you can use a smooth file). Mix a little thin set and acrylic adhesive, pour a little adhesive in 1st, maybe a cup, (cuts down on dust) Don't breath this or the thin set dust in! Better to mix it outside in the air. If it's a small job, (a few tiles) you can use the pointer, (there it is again)! Now add some thin set about 6 cups, to get a creamy mixture, like frosting, add some water for consistency, the pointer should stand up like in chili. Not to thin /thick kinda thing. Make enough to do the entire job. This takes a little thinking not to mix to much or to little. Adjust as needed.
If it's a lot of tiles 6-7 or more, you might think about renting a 1/2" drive drill w/ side handle and the "paddle". Because the amount of mortar will be more, and the mixing will be a pain.
(see photo 4) →
Good, now "butter" the back of the tile, like toast don't be shy, get enough on there, trust me by the 2nd tile you'll know how much. set the tile in, push down and run your hand over it and the surrounding tiles to make sure their the same height. See you put to much mortar in, pop the tile and remove some. If you have a little that leaked out the sides use the pointer to clean the inside edge. or a small screw driver works. Don't forget to clean the screw driver. Add the spacers 1 on each side in the middle to "square up" the tile so it's even all the way around. You can also put a spacer in the corners to adjust spacing, (→ ∟). Do this for all tiles until down. Tape off the area you just did so's not to step on them! ↑ We're down for today, as the tiles need to set. Clean the bucket and all the tools you used, Reminder ♫ they will last longer!
Next we'll grout!

Tile Repair Part 3

Okay, the tiles are set and the thin set hard.
1st, remove the spacers with needle nose pliers, be careful not to chip that tile you just replaced! Wipe all the tiles with clean water. Again, cleanliness is next to... But enough of the philosophy lesson, that's a different blog. We're ready to grout. Mix enough grout w/ water to do the whole job (you can add some latex additive here). Mix almost as thick as the thin set. Get the float
and blop some grout on the tiles(s), spread it around making sure to fill in the spaces between the tiles, this is important! Let it set a little, then get the float and clean up any excess you have, put this back in the bucket. Only do a few tiles at a time, you don't want the grout drying (if it does start, add some water). Keep cleaning until all the excess grout is gone, use the sponge to make the level of grout in between appear as the existing grout. This can be done by using a slightly wet sponge and working it in the spaces. The tiles should look clean and wet. After a while they will cloud up a little ( drying), a clean rag or better yet, some cheesecloth will solve this. Wait until completely dry and wipe them off. It might take a couple of passes to get them clean. Now here some pros use a sealant (after the grout is dry). Your call. The grout is going to stain down the road anyway, even w/ the sealant. If it's light colored grout it's probably a different color/shade anyhow. It will match as the tile gets walked on and mopped. Again stay off tiles until dry.
Clean up like usual, blah, blah. Next wall tile. See ya'

Fix It Tips

Duct Tape:
Can't say enough about it, always keep a roll on hand. This is a real lifesaver! It can put a temp. fix on almost anything. Put a roll in your car, it works until you can get it done right. Although I don't know how long the lifespan is in below freezing weather. I do know it stops leaks! Holds mufflers on, repairs that tear, even works as a band-aid™.

Holiday Lights Part 1

Well, it's getting around Christmas time and you thought I wouldn't have a project for you. There's lights to hang, trees to put up, etc. Preparation and the ability to untangle those lights from last year is the key to this. I know my friend, been there done that. But behold I learned, so can you! I always start looking outside to see the placement of the lights and assorted stuff for the lawn. Of course the logistics of wiring them all together w/o starting a fire, (that's why they make fire pits), is always something we put off. Usually until another voice is heard from! Well, it's time. If you live where it snows, I feel for you. But we must tread on.
1st, We need a plan of attack, try not to approach this like Chevy Chase in his movies. We need something to hang the lights from the gutters, eaves, fascia board (flat wood that covers the eaves), under the roof tiles. I like to use a hanger that doesn't leave a mark or hole, split wood, bent gutter etc. (Home Depot™ & Walmart™) Check outdoor lighting section. They make a plastic type of hook for this, it works on just about everything you hang up there. Good, are they in a ball, knot, wrapped around from last year? We need to untangle them, find the 2 ends and lay them in opposite directions. Now start the process, weaving and pulling and stretching you know the drill! 1st cup of nog down. they should be free of distress and knots. Now we can proceed. Find your outdoor outlets and place the strings (male side) near there. The female side is for plugging multiple strings together. See we've already started, lay off the egg nog until this project is well in hand. If you don't have outdoor plugs get one of those outdoor plugs that you can plug multiple strings into. Along w/ this use only outdoor extension cords. Of course their UL approved, aren't they all? I put a couple of the hooks at the beginning of the string to hold them up until I can stretch the rest over the span of the gutter. Unless you have help, this works pretty good. Now continue, adding the hooks as you go, You did check them 1st? okay, plug them in before you hang them! They all work? Make sure you leave the end to plug in, closest to the plug you're going to use, even if their to short we can add an extension cord here. I try to run them as to where they are going to go in the garage at that one plug you have, here you want to put the timer, . Pretty easy huh? Okay, that went smooth and your done with the upper stuff, you know Santa, Reindeer, Stars, whatever else you put on the roof or just up on the wall. If we're firmly on the ground the hard stuff is done and we can celebrate w/ more nog! Do the same w/ your ground fixtures so the cords end up at the outdoor plug again. You should now have all the lights done, the lawn stuff and one cord coming from the outdoor plug to the timer. Set the timer, Auto on/off it makes it a lot easier for the late night show you intend to do! If you have outdoor plugs just get a timer. Plug the timer into the plug that will suck all the energy of the neighborhood. Everything works! Great go finish off the nog, you were saving for this moment. Leave the timer turned on to automatically turn on and off the lights. See now you don't have to go out there and do the old 20th century on/off routine. Or call that pro! They really do have people who hang lights! Next, the dreaded Christmas tree. I will show you later how to wrap up everything so that next year this is a breeze! See Ya

Holiday Lights Part 2

Christmas Tree:
Now you might be saying the BAH! Humbug term.
Well, don't despair the repair guy is there, Yeah, right!
By now you should have Thanksgiving cleaned up and had that additional snack.
I have a simple way to get it up and ready. We already know about the untangling thing, so I hope you read my last post for this. Think of it as your pop quiz on lights.
1st: Get the tree, real, fake we'll do each one. I get the fake, my wife handles the candles for the smell. KEEP them away from the tree!
I also put a small open eye hook in the wall behind the tree so the cats won't bring down the whole thing. Put it at the top where the tree will be tallest in the wall, and loop fishing line around it, then put the same line (other end) at the top of the tree, loop around the top about 2' down. Dog? Real tree? Watch them they like trees too! But not for knocking down!!
Fake, 1st put it together, easy enough, if you remember the way you did it last year. 1st year of fake? How come you didn't buy it last year when they were 1/2 price after x-mas? You did, great, your learning. Follow the instructions and save the twist ties! They also sell w/ the lights already on, sometimes life is to easy! Proper storage is invaluable. Now get those lights out and test them. They work, (See last post on this). I string them by the way the tree will be presented, meaning in the corner a half wrap works. Start by going to the top of the tree, do you have a tree topper? put it up! plug it into the 1st string, (they sell outlets that let you put the outlet in the middle of the tree). Attach your lights to this, or use the old method of hiding the cord in the tree. Begin by going up from the inside to get the end of the string, bring the lights out from here. Use the half wrap method of going around the tree until the string runs out. Attach string 2, again the same way. Do this for about 2 strings (depending on the amount of lights per string. When you get about 2-3' down, start using the half wrap. W/O going all the way around, (cover the front good, and the back loop towards the back around to the front around to the other side). Check outside the window for appearance. Continue until your out of lights (now would be a good time to get more) or the tree is wrapped. Center of room total wrap. Start the same way but instead of half wrap, totally wrap the tree around until the same result, (no more lights) or your done.
Next the ornaments, get the kids! Have them put up the unbreakable ones. Now that the lower half is done, continue up the tree placing them where there are gaps. Step back take a look, do you see a gap still? Fill it! Look again, don't forget the back, we have a name for the heavy ornaments, we call them "sinkers" we all have them, but they sag the branch upon hanging. Put these on the branch that is thicker than most of the others.
Real: Get a bag, Home Depot™, Walmart™ they sell them and are disposable,(your call) that you put at the bottom of the tree for later removal of the tree.
Now for the tinsel, (ugh)! I don't use this on fake trees because it's a mess next year. trust me, been there! Better to use garland, popcorn, beads, ribbon etc. Some use feathers, or something exotic. Something removable, Wrap as lights, half, total wrap etc.
Now get some pine cones and add them for scent. Now the tree skirt, come on you really don't need help on this do you? they also sell timers and on/off switches for indoor use, Hmm... At this point. I hope you don't have a cat, they love trees! If you do, have fun putting up the ornaments, garland, pine cones, lights, etc again. How does it look? Great, send me a picture! Have a Merry one this year! See Ya'

Holidays

Turkey day, Football, Family, well 2 out of 3 ain't bad. I am thankful my wife has hung around for all these years. Who would've thought! The fact that I lived this long, again same thought. My friends who also hung around, I didn't say they were, you know. The things I've accomplished, and the things I still have to do. Finally, thank you Las Vegas. So my new friends, have a Happy Thanksgiving! The only thing you should be doing today is turkey and football x 3, Take the over, ± Now, take the day off and have a libation on me! We'll get back to the fixing things tomorrow.
Repair Guy