How do I check quality of granite slabs?
Determining Granite QualityGranite is the top preference when it comes to counter tops due to its great durability and visually appealing colors. Today we are going to emphasize on how a person can determine the quality of granite to make better decisions while looking for granite.There are some ground rules to follow when we need to check for the quality of granite like any other material it needs to be tested. The following are quick and handy methods:1: Check for visual cluesThe first and foremost thing is to closely inspect the granite for any cracks or uneven surfaces, as even the most minor cracks could lead to forming bigger ones and eventually make the whole slab more prone to break while installation or after usage. Also make sure there are no uneven surfaces like a cavity or a bump it means that the granite is of poor quality.As a good measure you should measure the complete granite slab every 8 or 12 inches for its uniformity. Another important visual cue is to see the thickness of the slab if it is less than an inch it would not be as durable. Manufacturers carve out the slabs from big chunks and to make more slabs they may reduce the overall thickness which reduces its durability too.2: Check for its porosity/absorbencyGranite comes in various kinds and hence the spectrum of absorbency from one to another can differ. Absorbency determines whether the granites color will fade after frequent use and also that whether the granite will be long lasting or not.To save your time and money just get some lemons, yes you read that right lemons which are naturally composed of citric acid help determine the porosity of the granite. If the granite is mixed and of low quality it would contain calcite which make the granite easily corroded when exposed to lemon juice.By dropping lemon extract juice on top of granite you observe how long does it takes to be absorbed. If it is slow to be absorbed the granite will need less sealing and on the contrary if it’s quickly absorbed it means the porosity of granite is high, which is not a good indication as it means the granite is not of high quality.3: Check for its polish qualityA very simple coin can do the trick to determine whether or not the granite has been given a quality polish. Just scrape the surface with the coin and if it leaves scratches than it means the polishing done is of poor quality, as a good polish will easily withstand daily use
Ceramic Tile Flooring HELP!?
Sorry no web site , just 20+ years of hands on knowledge. If you sub floor is 3/4, all you ll need is a 1/2" cement board, thin setted and nailed or screwed down w/ the proper type. 1 1/2 " galvanized nails or same size and type screws. You ll need a total of 1 1/4" in total substrate to meet ATC and TCA ( tile codes) I prefer Durock cement board but thats a personal choice.The use of proper trowel size and getting the proper coverage for the tile and improper nailing and seam taping( or lack of) is a couple of the biggest goofs people make when installing tile. Any questions you can e mail me thru my avatar and check my qualifications there GL
How do you drill through porcelain tile?
Step 1: Locate the area of the tile to be drilled with the diamond holesawFind the area on the tile where you are going to drill the hole with the diamond tile drill. Step 2: Locating the non-slip guide plate onto the tile ready for the tile drillPlace the anti-slip guide plate into the correct area on the tile ready to accept the diamond holesaw or tile drill. The more you push against the plate the tighter it grips the porcelain tile, or granite, marble, glass, mirror, or other hard stone material. Step 3: Slot the drill into the guide plate ready to form the hole in the tile or marble Place the diamond crown or holesaw into the correct size hole of the drill plate and press the drill bit up against the porcelain ceramic tile or other hard material lik granite or marble. If you have slightly wet the drill bit first by dipping it into water then this helps to cool it. Slowly drill for between five and ten seconds but no more. You do not want to build heat into the holesaw. Step 4: Remove the drill to expose a small pit into the tile If you remove the drill and the anti-slip guide plate from the wall you will see the porcelain tile now has a small pit sunk into its mass. This will also be the same for marble tiles, granite worktops, travertine, slate, pottery and many other hard materials. At this point you can discard the guide plate (drill plate) because it is no longer required. The diamond holesaw will sit back easily into the ring and no pilot drill is required to hold everything in place. Step 5: Place the diamond drill back into the porcelain tile to drill hole The drill bit will slip back into the porcelain tile and lock into place without sliping. It is very safe to drill the hole into the tile without the need of the guide plate. Hard stone tiles including granite, marble, travertine and porcelain are very dense and so of course heat will begin to build up quickly as the diamonds grind away at the surface. You must control the heat build up of the tile drill Check our site to learn more about Tiles and other building materials: Blogspot: Hudson Tiles Blog Official website: YOUR ONE STOP SHOP OF BUILDING MATERIALS IN CHINA! or Page on hudsonceramic.com\
How do I Remove the acid stain on the tile floor?
Acid stains, such as by a toilet bowl cleaner or battery acid, can cause permanent damage (or damage that can only be fixed professionally). However, you can try the methods below and hope for the best.You Will Need:Baking sodaWaterAmmoniaSteps to Remove the Stain:For fresh stains, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the stain.¹ The baking soda will neutralize the acid. Don’t be alarmed if the area starts to bubble or foam; that is the effect of the acid and base mixing together and neutralizing.If the stain is old, make a thick paste of baking soda with water and spread the paste onto the stain.² Allow the baking soda to sit for several minutes, then wipe away the paste and repeat if needed.If the stain remains, moisten the area with diluted (10%) ammonia.³ Ammonia is also a basic solution, which can neutralize the acid.Rinse the area well with water to remove any remaining residue from the ammonia.URL: How to Remove Acid Stains from Marble
How can I clean a marble surface?
Marble can look very nice in a home, but only if it is kept clean. This article will describe how to best clean a marble floor with items you would have around your home. Instructions1. Fill the bucket with hot water and dish soap. Do not fill the bucket all the way because you will have to move it repeatedly and you don't want to be lifting excess weight, nor do you want to spill any of the water. Make sure anything that can be moved out of the room is prior to engaging in this project. 2. Begin in the back of the room, especially if there is only one door in or out. Gently scrub the floor with the sponge so that you don't leave any scratches or other marks. Make sure the sponge is completely drenched in the hot soapy water to get the maximum effect when cleaning. Scrub back and forth in a sweeping motion across the floor. As you go, move yourself and the bucket towards the doorway. 3. If you have marble tile that has been spaced, with caulk or some other filler between each tile you will need a toothbrush. Use the toothbrush to scrub in these small spaces and corners. This is where a majority of dirt can gather, so be sure to spend some extra time on this part of the cleaning. Again, make sure the brush is thoroughly soaked int he hot soapy water 4. Immediately upon finishing, take a full sized bath towel. Place it below your feet and slide yourself around the room. This is to pick up any excess water without leaving footprints around the newly cleaned tile. if you notice water has pooled in the spaces between tiles, use your fingers wrapped in a towel to gather this water up. Tips & Warnings A). Don't use bleach on colored tile.B). Keep these supplies together in a marked place, especially the toothbrush.C). If soap comes in contact with eyes or mouth wash thoroughly and consult a doctor if problems occur.Check our site for more info.about flooring material:Blogspot: http://hudsontiles.blogspot.comOfficial website: http://hudsonchina.com
What is the difference between slate and tile?
Difference between Slate Roof and Tile Roof:Slate is a natural stone roof, and tile roof are manufactured. A ‘slate tile’ is a piece of slate measured, cut and prepared for use as a tile. Slate is a fine-grained metamorphic rock that can be split easily into thin layers; it’s mainly grey in color, with a wide variety of textures, color varieties and irregular patterns.Tiles roof are made from a variety of hard-wearing materials, usually fired clay and concrete.They are used for covering surfaces such as roofs, walls and floors, Clay tiles are capable of performing down to pitches as low as 15° (depending on the type of clay tile) whereas slates can only perform down to 25°Which is Costly or Last longer:Since it is a natural stone, slate is more durable produce than ceramic tile. Slate will last longer with lower maintenance but will also cost more. Once slate is set and treated, you can expected to out last ceramic tiles. Ceramic, on the other had, is valued for its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation.
How do we choose the right kitchen counter top?
Since there are many options of marble and granite for kitchen countertops, you can choose the best that suits your need and budget. It is important to choose the best countertop with right amount of research work. Check what people choose more and why. Let us consider few options-Granite- Other 3 out of 5 home owners chooses granite as the option. Known for its toughness as quartz and durability- granite come in multiple options of colors. One such is the emerald pearl granite worktop having classy design and look. The price of granite depends on the type and your pick.Quartz- Known for its toughness, quartz carry uniform pattern and is completely man-made product. If you are looking for something that is scratch resistant and requires little maintenance, then quartz is the best option.Marble- Similar to Granite and Quartz, marble too is widely considered option for countertops. Good in dirt resistance and durable in nature, it is to a god choice.While choosing kitchen countertops, it is important that you consider their durability, hygienic process, resistance nature, and color. Above all is the pricing that meets your budget.