“Pulling mud”
Using wet-bed method to level a floor
Who we are
Hello, I’m Vince and I’d like to tell you a little something about myself and why you should consider trusting me with your tile project.
I’ve been setting tile for over 29years. A year ago (2023) I thought about how many tiles I’ve installed in my career. I came up with approximately 65 miles of tile that my hands have installed. Wow! That’s a lot!
But just installing tile after tile is not the most important aspect. That’s because the tile world has evolved in so many ways in the last 30 years, more so, the last 20 years. When I started, 4” x 4” tile was the standard. I can remember pleading with clients that 12” x 12” tile was not too big for their bathroom floor. Now, a standard tile (wall or floor), is generally 12” x 24”. I’ve actually had the pleasure to install huge 24”x 48” tiles. Talk about a challenge!
Installation techniques and design upgrades are the biggest changes over the last 20 years. Some of the most common items in the tile industry are:
- Anti fracture membranes. These are used as an underlayment and protect tile and grout from cracking from movement in a subfloor.
- Shower waterproofing methods. Cementious boards with a topical coating of latex waterproofing. Foam boards and pans such as Wedi, Schluter, and Go-board panels have replaced tile that were installed over “Greenboard” as the new standards.
- Curbless Showers. Curbless showers have become very popular over the years. As we age, a lot of consideration is going into what our needs will be in the future. By eliminating the curb, there is no longer the step over the curb and out of the shower issue. Thus greatly eliminating falls. Also, a curbless shower allows a “wheelchaired” individual to enter and exit a shower safely and independently.
- In-floor heating systems. Very popular in the Northeast region. Can you imagine walking on a warm floor first thing in the morning? With a timed wireless thermostat you now can.
I have hands on experience with all of these systems/applications. I also pride myself in a continued education through the National Tile Counsel of America (NTCA) and other hands on training seminars as new products and techniques are introduced.
Although I am knowledgable with all of these products, I still reach back into the “good old days” of tile and offer a wet-bed floors and shower floors. The wet-bed method has stood the test of time, over 100 years. Just ask anyone who has had to tear one out, lol. In my opinion, this method is the best method to level a “wonky” floor or to slope a shower floor.
A little bit more about my company:
I perform all the work: prep, set, grout, myself. I do have access to help on larger projects, but honestly, other then demolition and carrying 50 boxes of tile up to a second floor bathroom, I’d prefer to do all the work myself. This way, I can be sure that I am delivering the quality of work that my clients expect. By being hands on my clients have one point of contact (myself) for the entire process. I find this helpful in eliminating potential communication issues.
I realize this can cause backlogs in completing a project. I totally understand the construction process and realize that there are other contractors waiting on the tile completion. With this in mind, I prefer to stay on a job start to finish. To work continually on the project til its completion. As a rule, my work takes 2-3 days longer than if a “crew” was working (Master bath). But you can be assured the work will not be rushed, there will be no corners cut, and the tile will be installed to highest standards of the Tile Contractors of North America (NTCA) guidelines.
In closing, you may ask “What keeps you going?”. Well, each and every install brings its own set of challenges. An Arabesque backsplash is totally different in its install then a large 24”x 48” shower stall. A steam shower requires special prep and a shower floor requires strength and proper sloping requirements. Throw in penny tiles, glass tiles, tile on ceilings, heated floors and as you can see, no two jobs are the same. And there is always something to learn.
Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my passion. I’d love to hear about your upcoming project. Please click on the “Request a quote” link. Or you can email me some details of your project.
- Vince
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