Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A few signs can tell you that your bathroom may be leaking firstly if there is staining at the base of your bathroom door. Also, mould growth and chipping paint at the back of your bathroom walls, which means the side of your bathroom wall that is part of your bedroom. Similarly, the ceilings need to be checked for the same if the bathroom is on the upper floors.

Waterproofing refers to a whole process where we perform various steps to cover the surface with a waterproofing membrane. This is done to avoid moisture build-up and leakage. Otherwise, water may seep into tiles and cause structural damage. It is done in all the wet areas.

Waterproofing is done in various steps. Firstly, clean the surface of any grease, dust, fungi, or anything else. Once clean, apply primer over the whole surface. Now, apply bond breaker in all the areas like internal corners, joints, etc. Lastly apply two coats of waterproofing membrane, at 90 Degrees from each other. This membrane can be applied with a roller or brush. You are done now!

A primer is a liquid that is used for surface preparation. It can be used for preparing surfaces for waterproofing and tiling. It’s another benefit that it improves the adhesive’s function. Primer is usually made up of polyurethane, latex, or epoxy.

Definitely yes! Primer application is a necessary step. Without it, you can void the warranty of your product. The primer must and can be applied to all types of substrates. But, it is not applied on waterproofing membranes as these membranes are non-absorbent.

Primers are indeed affected by high temperature as the contents may get evaporated before they do their work, i.e. controlling porosity and trapping contaminants.

Liquid rubber is a waterproofing solution. Liquid rubber is sprayed or painted over the surface. It can adhere to any surface like cement, tiles, wood, brick, fibreglass, most PVC, etc. Any surface that is not too smooth or oil-based.

The liquid rubber application is straightforward. For this, you just need to take care that the surface does not have any oils, varnishes, flaky substance, dust, or any glossy paint, etc. Once the surface is free of all contaminants, liquid rubber can be applied with the help of roller, spray gun, or brush.

These are reinforced or non-reinforced, polymer-modified bitumen membranes. These bituminous membranes are an excellent waterproofing solution.

No, it is not possible. Bitumen melts at very high temperature. And warm weather cannot provide that. Maximum, these membranes can become a bit soft. But even that does not affect its structural integrity. So, they are entirely safe.

Bituminous membranes are very versatile. They can be used in various projects like water tanks, pools, highways, multi-level car park, concrete roofs and structures, etc. Some other applications are balconies, outer walls, etc.

Efflorescence is a white flaky substance that appears on concrete walls and tiles. It happens due to the presence of calcium hydroxide in all types of cement. This surfaces from grouts or walls. When this calcium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide present around, it becomes this flaky white efflorescence.

Efflorescence is a natural process, and it will occur to some extent. But it can be somewhat controlled. For this, you can make use of a low efflorescence grout and an adhesive that dries faster. Once tiles are laid, try not to use much water for the cleaning purpose. In a nutshell, when less water goes inside, lesser efflorescence surfaces.

Glazed ceramic tiles are tiles that are covered with a glaze that is a layer of liquid glass. This layer of liquid glass is done over most ceramic and porcelain tiles. Glazing gives the tiles their colour and makes them water-resistant and stain-resistant.

When many small tiles are set to make a pattern or a design, then these tiles are called mosaic tiles. These tiles can be of one type or a combination of many. Like glass, porcelain, ceramic, stone, etc. These are sometimes set on a sheet. This makes laying them easier. The designs to be made are subject to only imagination and can match any décor.

Ceramic and porcelain are the most traditionally used of the lot. But there are many more like glass, mosaic, cement, and stone (marble, cobblestone, travertine, etc.). But some newer options these days are of resin, rubber, and metaltiles.

Rectified tiles are those tiles that undergo a unique process of ‘grinding’. The grinding process includes smoothening and rectifying the edges of the tiles so that they are even and less irregular—this evenness results in lesser grout being required. And the finished look of rectified tiles creates an illusion of a single stone or tile usage.

Many ceramic tiles can be used in bathrooms but using them in the pools is not advisable because even a hairline crack in the glaze can cause significant damage to your pool tiling. Water will seep into the tiling. Thus, impervious or vitreous tiles must be used for pools.

The first consideration is the size of the tile. It should not be more than 100mm. But 20mm to 50mm is the most preferred one. Next is the colour. You can use blue, which is most popular or white for an aqua tone. You can also use black or charcoal colour for a modern and classy look too.

Travertine and limestone both look great. But there are some differences like limestone has a more solid colour than travertine. Also, travertine is smooth and limestone rougher, thus grip factor is there. Also, limestone provides lesser glare and also absorbs lesser water. But travertine does not get that hot as limestone. So the final choice is yours.

The first step is to check that the surface is clean of oil, efflorescence, dust, etc. Then, if your surface is painted, and all of it correctly. If the surface is a concrete shell, then let the shell dry for six weeks. Make sure you apply primer before tiling. And if the surface is cementitious rendering, then let it dry for three weeks. Also, the use of water replacement in adhesives because the pool is a heavy-duty application.

Porcelain Tiles, Glass Tiles, and Stone Tiles arebest suited for bathrooms. All of these tiles look great and absorb very little water.

Porcelain tiles are very heat resistant, but even they can resist temperatures upto 80 Degree Celsius. Thus, you definitely cannot use them for the firebox, where the fire kindles. But using them in the hearth and the surrounding place is a great idea. Tiles are sure to make your fireplace look great.

Laying tiles is a simple process but involves many steps. First is surface preparation. In this, we waterproof the surface (if required) and do levelling. Next, we apply adhesive and make grooves in it. Because they help tiles stick better. Next step is to lay the tiles. But do remember to insert spacers in between the tiles. Once laid, remove the spacers and perform grouting. Now, if required, apply sealant. And you are done with your tiling!

Additives are added to adhesive or grout for enhancing performance. Different additives offer different benefits. Depending on which one you are choosing, the additive can increase bond strength and flexural strength. It can also increase resistance to water, stains, and even chemical reaction.

Screed is cement. Thus it needs proper curing time which is 28 days in the case of the screed. Tiling should wait till then. Because cement shrinks when curing. If tiling is done before full curing time, then it can lead to a tiling failure.

Grout is filled between the tiles to accommodate the tile movement. Traditionally it is made up of sand, cement, and water. But there are many types of grout with different benefits like unsanded grout, epoxy grout, etc.

Epoxy grout is known for its resilience. It is not made up of sand and cement rather epoxy hardener and resin.Owing to this resilience, it is used in places of rough usage like hospitals, public toilets, restaurants, etc. Another feature is it is very less water-absorbent. Also, it stains less.

Cement is hard and cannot accommodate tile movements. Whereas grout is softer and can help accommodate these movements. If not handled properly, these can lead to tiling failures. Another issue while grouting is that extra adhesive should be removed. As the adhesive is also hard as it is made up of cement.

Grouting is simple. For this, first, remove the excess adhesive. As if the adhesive is not removed, it can cause a tiling failure. After doing this, apply grout with a rubber squeegee. Now, wait for 1 to 2 hours, until the grout is dry. After it is dry, wipe the extra grout with a non-wet, but still damp sponge.

If you find that your shower is leaking, then possibly there is a small hole in the tile grout. You need to check the grout thoroughly before and after it is wet. Even a little bit of missing grout can cause big problems. When found, push epoxy grout in the gaping through a toothpick and you are done solving your problem.

Yes, you can re-tile over the existing tiles of your tile shower as long as certain conditions are fulfilled. The existing tiling should be free of any mould or any other contaminants. Also, the surface should be stable and free of any cracks. The existing tiles should be free of any warping also. If all of these conditions are fulfilled, then re-tiling is possible.

Yes, you can cover old tiles with paint. Use epoxy paint. It is best for such purposes. But lots ofcare should be taken not to cover grout with the paint. To avoid doing this, cover grout linings with masking tape. Once you finish painting, remove the tape. Enjoy the fresh look!

The ceramic tiles are suitable for use as shower tiles. They are more resilient than our antique urns. Their longevity makes them suitable for usage as floor tiles as well as for shower frame.

There are many things you can do to give your bathroom a fresh look. Or else, you can also go for a change in fixtures like bathtub, showerheads, and sinks. For a more cost-effective renovation, you can change the setting of the bathtub and sinks. Another option is to play with the lighting. Even that plays a significant role.

Gold Coast Tiling Pro is a respected and reputed entity of the Gold Coast tiling industry.We have long been in this business of tiling and waterproofing. And we also havea lot of pride with the fact that we have in-depth knowledge of our field. Also, dealing with us will be a memorable experience, and you will leave a happy customer. Our many happy customers also testify our excellent workmanship and eye to detail.