How to Lay Wall Tiles      DIY Floor Tiling     Technical Guides     Wall Tiles     Floor Tiles     Decorative Border Tiles  

Johnson Tiles - The Tile Expert

There is nothing more frustrating than having something go horribly wrong with your tile installation, and then not knowing who to turn to! At Johnson Tiles, we can help you out. Take a breath, walk away from the tiles and jump onto our website - our Tile Expert can answer you questions in a click!

Pool Tile Staining

Symptoms:
Your tiles have dark, mould like looking spots and stains all over the place that are hard to remove.

Cause:
If it looks like mould, it probably is mould! The damp conditions of the tiles can promote the growth of mould on your pool tiles. It may be hard to remove ith basic cleaning products, but don't worry, you can have it looking its best in no time.

Treatment:
Heavy Duty Tile Cleaner will get the best results. Scrub away gradually at the mould and it will begin to budge. However, remember that the moist conditions your unglazed tiles are in will cause mould to re-appear from time to time. Ensure that your Heavy Duty Tile Cleaner is on hand at all times!

Tile Sizing

Symptoms:
Your tiles have arrived - and they are all different sizes!

Cause:
Every batch of glazed ceramic tiles will have very slight differences. The materials that the tiles are made of - such as clay or silicas - are fired at extremely high temperatures, and during the production process the tiles can shrink to their finished size. Despite being carefully sorted by colour and size, sometimes you can wind up with odd sizes!

Treatment:
Lay out the entire box of tiles and make a rough estimate of the difference in size. If you feel it is a lot, or you are not sure, pay a visit or call your provider and they will guide you as to what is acceptable to tile with. You can always return or re-select your tiles, but once they are laid nothing can be done.

Tile Chipping

Symptoms:
Your tiles have small, medium or large sized chips visible on the flat surface of the tile.

Cause:
There are a number of reasons why chipping can occur. Dropping blunt, sharp objects onto the tile surface will do damage, along with stones in the bottom of shoes, small high heels, dragging metal-footed furniture along the tiles and much more. Make sure to use common sense to stop tile chipping and damage.

Treatment:
The only way to correct a chipped tile is to - unfortunately - re-install the damaged tile. It is best to remove all grout, crack the tile with a chissel and gradually remove it, then replace the tile carefully. Call Johnson Tiles and we can assist you in the process over the phone.

Tile Cracking

Symptoms:
One or more cracks along the corners of your tiles. Often they can be wobbly, and feel rickety when you step on them.

Cause:
This is almost always due to faulty or incorrect application of the adhesive phase. The area has not been fully covered and hence the section not covered has cracked and begun to come away.

Treatment:
Alike Tile Chipping, the only remedy is to replace the cracked tile. It is very important that time is taken to correctly install the tile, or you will be forever correcting tile cracking! Call Johnson Tiles if you need a hand replacing your tile, we are more than happy to give advice!

Tile Scratches

Symptoms:
The tiles has small, medium or large scratches over the face. They can be light or dark in tone.

Cause:
During delivery, tiles with high gloss can be damaged and scratched. This can occur from two tiles rubbing against one another.

Treatment:
If you have not installed your tiles, give your supplier a call to arrange an exchange. If the tiles have been installed, you can replace the scratched tile gently. Remember - before jumping to conclusions, give your scratched tile a good clean and polish, and ensure that the tile is not simply dirty!

Tile Thickness

Symptoms:
Your tiles are varying in thickness, in either small or large amounts.

Cause:
Variations in thickness is an unusual case. Tiles in ceramic, marble and granite should always be a consistant thickness. However, often materials such as slate can have some differences.

Treatment:
For more standard materials (ie. ceramic), it is best to get in contact with your supplier and arrange another batch. Do not install the tiles if there is something not right. If the tiles are in a material such as slate, lay out the whole batch and estimate the differences - if you feel they are too great, call your supplier.

Tile Imperfections

Symptoms:
Your tile has some imperfections, such as uneven glazing.

Cause:
When tiles are manufactured, they are carefully sorted. Any tiles with imperfections should be put aside and sold separately as seconds, however sometimes these tiles can go unnoticed - particularly if the imperfection is small.

Treatment:
If you have not yet installed your tiles, take the specific tile back to the supplier. You should receive a replacement. If the tile has been installed, you are able to have the tile replaced.

Grout Whiteness

Symptoms:
The grout between your tiles is slowly becoming white and powdery looking.

Cause:
This is natural - it is called 'efflorescence'. It is due to salts rising to the surface of a cement based product, creating a white powder.

Treatment:
Get out your old toothbrush! The best way to treat the white grout is by scrubbing it with a stiff small brush, and sweeping or vacuuming the residue. Doing this occasionally should assist in stopping the production of efflorescence.

Decor Tile Problems

Symptoms:
The metallic or raised finished on your decor tiles is wearing off or coming away.

Cause:
The gold, silver or metallic finishes you obtain on your decor tiles are not covered by a glaze, and therefore will be suseptible to damage.

Treatment:
Upon purchase, you need to be aware that without great care, the metallic finish will eventually damage. Once they have been installed and you see the finish wearing away, you can replace the tile. It is best to avoid harsh cleaners and cloths on these surfaces.

Tile Fading

Symptoms:
The tiles are fading or becoming uneven in colouration.

Cause:
Tiles should not fade nor darken in regular conditions. Generally, tile fading is due to harsh, acidic cleaners. These cleaners will gradually bleach the surface and hence colour of the tile over time.

Treatment:
Attempt to avoid such harsh cleaners unless completely necessary. Using warm water and disinfectant does the job just as well. To achieve a great clean, occasionally clean with a Heavy Duty Tile Cleaner. The only way to correct bleached or faded tiles is by replacing them.

Dark Grout

Symptoms:
The grout beside the tiles has gone very dark or black.

Cause:
Dirt! You will discover that the dark or black residue is simply dirt. Too much water and detergent, without a thorough rinse can cause dirt to build up over time, creating a dark effect.

Treatment:
Purchase Heavy Duty Tile Cleaner, or tile specific cleaners. Grout cleaners are also handy. Be sure to rinse several times. This will eliminate the dark or black residue. From this point on, use simply warm water to clean your tiles.

Tile Blistering

Symptoms:
Small or large round 'blisters' on the surface of the tile.

Cause:
These tiles will have been overlooked during the packing process. Blistered or imperfect tiles should be put aside and sold as seconds.

Treatment:
If the tiles have not been installed, it is important to take them back to the supplier. They should happily exchange the tile. If the tiles have been installed, nothing can be done, so it is important to check your tiles before installing them.