Q & A
Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.
Can you tile over drywall?
Yes, it is possible to lay tile over drywall. If you’re looking to lay a tile backsplash in your kitchen, you can certainly do it yourself — buthiring a professional may save time.
Before you tile over your drywall, make sure the wall has a smooth surface with no bumps or cracks. Start by using a compound to seal up any crevices, then sand the drywall and clean up the dust. Then, lay a coat of primer on the drywall to get it ready for your tile.
Can you tile over tile floors?
Yes, you can lay tile over existing tile floors (or a backsplash). Although it’s generally best to pull up your old flooring, you can simply place tiles on top if your existing floor is in good condition.
Before you start, examine your tiles carefully for mold, cracks or unevenness. Provided none of these is an issue, you can begin laying your new tiles.
But if this is your first time laying tile —or if you want to ensure that the job is done right — save time by hiring a tiling professional near you.
What do you need to lay tile?
If you’re laying a new tile floor, you’ll likely need an assortment of tools and supplies, including (but not limited to):
- Tile
- Tile adhesive
- Tile trim
- Tile spacers
- Underlayment
- Sealer
- Caulk
- Level
- Goggles
- Gloves
- Trowel
- Carpenter’s square
- Grout
- Sponge
- Tape measure
- Etc.
If you don’t have all of the tools, equipment and skills necessary to lay tile in your home, consider hiring one of the best tile contractors in your area.
How long does it take to lay tile?
Depending on the pro’s expertise, the size of the project and its complexity, the time it takes to lay the tile will vary.For some projects, it may take a few hours to lay tile while others will require several days of work.
When planning a tiling project for your home, get free estimates from the best tile contractors near you and ask them how long it would take them to complete your job.
What’s the difference between porcelain and ceramic tile?
Ceramic and porcelain are some of the more popular types of tile, but there are a few differences:
Porcelain Tile | Ceramic Tile |
More durable, have a longer lifespan | Cheaper, easier to install |
Better for high-traffic areas | Recommended for interior floors, walls |
Slightly more water-resistant | Softer, easier to cut |
Consult with a top tile contractor near you and get free estimates on how much installing tile will cost you.
Does tile flooring increase home value?
Having a tile floor may increase your home’s value, but it might depend on the type of tile you install and the trends in the real estate market.
Chat with your realtor or a real estate expert to figure out what types of home repairs and remodeling projects you should tackle before you put your home on the market. It might make sense to add new tiles when renovating your kitchen or bathroom, for example.
If you decide to include new tiling in your home remodeling project, contact the best tile installation pros near you to get free estimates.
What is the best tile?
There are many different types of tile to choose from, and they all have unique benefits when it comes to aesthetics, longevity, durability and safety.
Porcelain and ceramic tile are often popular in kitchens and bathrooms because they are water-resistant, making them a go-to choice for floors and backsplashes. Marble tile is also a great choice for kitchen and bathroom floors, and granite tiles are popular for countertops.
Consult with a tile installation professional to figure out what type of tile you should install in your home.
How can I get my grout clean?
Dirt, mildew and grime can make your grout lines look downright tragic. If you have the ability, DIY tile and grout cleaning is definitely doable. Your main obstacles are time, project size, availability of the right materials and effort. Your first step in tile and grout cleaning is making sure the surface area is cleaned of basic dirt and buildup and wiped down. Be sure not to use a bleach-based cleaning agent, which could react dangerously with the vinegar used in later steps.
Depending on the delicacy of your tile and grout, it may be wise to start with water and friction before proceeding to a cleaning solution. In the shower you can spray the area while brushing gently, or use a spray bottle filled with warm water on countertops or floors. If water won’t do the trick, try a solution of equal parts warm water and white vinegar, and repeat the gentle brushing motion. This combination should begin to lift dirt and grime from the grout. For additional tile and grout cleaning power, baking soda applied directly to grout lines and sprayed with your water vinegar solution can help suds off sticky grime. If your DIY cleaning solutions aren’t doing the trick, store-bought sprays and pastes may have more cleansing power. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning and enjoy your sparkling clean grout.
Tile and grout cleaning supplies include:
- Old standard or electric toothbrush
- Stiff bristle brush
- Spray bottle
- White vinegar
- Commercial grout cleaner
How much does it cost to clean tile and grout?
The national average cost for tile and grout cleaning ranges from $190 to $250. Pros may charge a flat fee or by the square foot. Rates can vary depending on the type of tile and grout you have (more delicate tiles may mean specialized products or careful handwashing), how dirty your tile and grout are, and what part of the country you are in (regional labor rates and costs to do business affect costs). For example, one floor cleaning company charges 75 cents per square foot for tile and grout cleaning for projects that permit cleaning by machine. Another company may charge $30-$50 per hour for hand-cleaning of tiles. Companies often charge a minimum fee for services to ensure their business expenses are met when they accept a job, no matter how small. In addition, a tile and flooring cleaning professional may charge added fees, such as $25 or more, to move heavy furniture or appliances.
How do professionals clean tile and grout?
If you need tile and grout cleaning and don’t have the time or mobility for scrubbing your entire house on your hands and knees, it’s time to turn to the pros. Tile and grout cleaning professionals have industrial-grade machines designed for the sole task of cleaning the porous materials of grout and tile.
Typically, a cleaning pro will come out to assess the job and provide you with a quote. Often they charge per square foot (for example, 75 cents per square foot), with higher prices or an hourly rate for areas that will need hand cleaning. The national average cost for tile and grout cleaning ranges from $190 to $250.
Once onsite, the pros thoroughly clean the area by wiping or sweeping down and then vacuuming up any dry dirt. Next a chemical tile cleaner is sprayed over the surface, causing dirt to loosen and adhere to the spray; the industry term for this is “suspension.” The pros then clean the floor with professional-strength machines, which often use a combination of steam, brushes and vacuum to loosen, agitate and lift entrenched dirt. Your floor is then rinsed, removing all the spray.
Usually a small room can be cleaned in under an hour. Applying a sealant afterward is recommend and will also affect cost.
Reviews for Rancho Cordova tiling professionals
Salma S.
Habib is an artist with tile and flooring! He is a hard worker, responsive via text and phone and HONEST! Price was extremely reasonable. He removed a concrete bench and laid down slate tile in it's place. Finished product looks seamless, tile angled correctly so that the water doesn't pool in any one area and flows to the drain. We provided the tile and he provided the expertise and skill. I will definitely reach out to him again for any flooring issues and have recommended him to friends.
Janet B.
It was a great experience working with Solomon at Cornerstone Tiling, he noticed issues right away with my shower that others did not. He did a wonderful job on the tile and grout plus other bathroom updating. My bathroom looks beautiful!
Vinay P.
Marz was good cleaning our messy tiles, he did great job.
Andrew C.
Bradley is AWESOME. His pricing was fair and affordable. I really like the way he installed the tile. It looks great! He was ontime and completed the job a little early as well. See photos. Note, the pics of sealed tiles they are not fully dry and I will be painting the kitchen a Latte color/earth tone, so it will really bring out the color of the slate tile. I would hire Bradley again! Thank you Livers!!!
Thumbtack Customer
I hired Paul to tile my entire house - 2800 sq ft - with a wood looking ceramic tile (from demo to completion). His attention to detail exceeded my expectation. He was reliable, friendly, and pleasant to have around throughout this project. I took a vacation in the middle of the project and felt extremely comfortable giving him a key to the house so he could continue the job in my absence. I highly recommend Paul for all projects - large or small.
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