By Mark J. Donovan

If you need to replace a broken ceramic tile, then you are going to first need to remove the old grout from around it. A Dremel Tool, such as the Dremel MultiPro Cordless 7700-02 20,000 RPM Two-Speed 7.2V Rotary Tool System w/50 Accessories, is perfect for removing grout on small ceramic tile repair projects.

To remove grout from around ceramic tile, care has to be taken not to damage the surrounding tiles. A hammer and chisel can be used for removing the grout, however you run the risk of damaging the neighboring tiles. A dremel tool on the other hand, has a high speed rotary head that you can insert various bits onto, such as a cutter, that can make short work of removing old grout.

A dremel tool is relatively inexpensive and has a million and one applications around the home. Take a look at one, prior to making your next tile repair.

Choosing a kitchen counter material can be an overwhelming task in the midst of a huge kitchen makeover. Before you select a material, try to decide what look you are going for. Scour magazines and take a trip to your local home improvement center to get an idea how each type of material will effect the overall style of the kitchen.

Some materials for kitchen counter tops include:

Laminate – The least expensive and comes in a huge range of colors. You have to be careful not to cut or put anything hot on the surface, but it is easy to clean. It is not as durable as stone or Corian and doesn’t look as nice either!

Tiles – Tiles can range in price from very inexpensive to very expensive depending on your choice. In my opinion they make terrible counter tops because food and such tends to get caught in the grout lines. Even worse, if you use light colored grout it gets dirty very quickly and must be scrubbed all the time. Tiles can crack and chip easily.

Corian – A very durable counter that is seamless and has the look of granite. It comes in a myriad of colors and can scratch, but these can be sanded and repaired. Unlike stone, it will melt so no hot pots on the countertop. More expensive than laminate but a bit less than stone.

Granite – This material is a long time favorite and one of the most expensive. It is extremely durable and virtually scratch free and heat proof. It is porous, though so you will have to wipe up any spills quickly and be careful about what chemicals you put on it. These days, granite comes in a range shades in the gray – black – green and even dark blue colors. Granite must be sealed every year, but otherwise is quite easy to clean and care for.

Marble – Beautiful but very porous and is not really practical for a counter top. It will stain easily with normal food prep.

Slate – Slate has a nice warm earthy look without the shininess of granite. It is durable and easy to clean and unlike granite is nonporous. Scratches can be easily repaired.

Butcher Block – Wood kitchen counter top materials can give hour kitchen a warm look. Butcher block is good for cutting as the marks can be sanded out but it is not very resistant to bacteria or stains. Would need periodic conditioning.

Concrete – Fast becoming a favorite in modern kitchens that want an industrial look, concrete is a mid priced material that can be mixed to form any color and even can be mixed with little pieces of anything you want it! It is durable and easy to clean but is very porous and should be sealed to avoid staining.

About The Author: Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.home-improvement-solution.com/ in addition to othersites.

Last year I needed to make some improvements to my Bathroom, including replacing the flooring. My wife suggested Tiling, however, I was concerned on having to put down an underlayment (such as 1/4″ plywood) as well as the tile. Trying to cut all the jogs around the cabinet, closet, toilet and tub would have been extremely difficult.

After a little investigation, I found to my surprise that Tile can be installed right over the Linoleum, as long as you prepare the Linoleum first. Basically, you need to sink 1″ to 1.5″ screws or ring nails about 6 inches apart into the Linoleum to stabilize the surface. Once this is done, you can lay the tile down using a standard mastic. To date I have had no problems with loose or cracking tiles or grout

Bath tile designs can be created by you or purchased by you. There are many ways that they can help to add a bit of charm to any boring, old bathroom. Those that are looking for a way to transform their bathroom into something that is a bit more interesting can do so with the help of these designs. The goal here is not to worry about not having enough creative abilities or not being able to do the work. The goal is to create a design that is truly fitting of the look you are after.

First, Select A Pattern
The first thing that you need to do is to select a decorative bath tile design that you enjoy. This can be virtually anything that you like so long as it provides a pattern that is interesting. If your bathroom already has design features in it, try to pick up on any type of design pattern that may already be there. This will allow you to have a more in depth look to your tile that matches the room perfectly.

To find a few designs that you like, take a quick look around the web. Even if you are not creative, you can find them already done for you offered throughout the web. A bit of investment in time here really can transform a bathroom tile design.

Now that you have the design that you like, you will want to make sure that you can duplicate it. A short trip to the tile distributor will tell you this. Look for the patterns that are interesting and the colors that work with your bathroom. Make sure to take measurements with you so that you can determine the amount of tile needed for the design since there are many sizes available.

Worried About Doing The Work?
To help you to do your tile design accurately, make sure to make a grid on the wall that is measured out. This way, you can mark the grid with the colors that the tiles should be to help you to see what is happening and get the design moving right.

Experiment with various colors, textures and sizes. Look for something unusual or interesting. Make sure that you take your time with this project as it can really turn into a wonderful investment in your home if you do so. Most importantly, do not be afraid to get the job done with a little help from a professional if needed.

About the Author: Adam Peters contributes adding content continuously to http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/, a free online magazine for interior design and decorating ideas, where you can find further information on bath tiles among many other complements to your home.

A Homeowner had the following question:

I have a wall in my shower that had cracked tiles and started out to be a small hole but now it has grown. I am covering it with a poster board. I am wondering what to do to repair the sheetrock and retile it? Who would I call to help me fix this, a plumber or a contractor? Any suggestions?

Brenda in Missouri

ANSWER: Sounds like the tile should be removed from the wall and the wall examined. There is probably rot and/or mildew from water seeping in. I would consider replacing the sheetrock with Durock or wonder board then re-tiling.

Ceramic tile can be beautiful and elegant. But it can also be bland and uninspired. If you want to add a little color or creativity to your tile, here’s how!

Remember to clean your tile and let it dry before you begin any project.

1. Seal both tile and surrounding grout with a water-based floor varnish. Ask your home improvement retailer for suggestions about a good water-based floor varnish for your area.

2. Brush paint primer on both tile and grout. Let it dry for at least 12 hours before you begin painting.

3. With an artist’s brush, paint your pattern with latex paint. Simple designs are best. You can use stencils or, if you are brave, try painting your own original design directly on the tile. Let the tile dry before sealing.

4. Seal the tiles with two coats of water-based varnish. Let the tile dry between coats. Decorating your old tile can be easy and fun. Now, anyone have a great idea for rescuing an old bathtub? (Without making it abackyard planter, that is!)

About the Author – Pamela Cole Harris has been a writer for over 35 years (Yikes!Has it been that long? Her fun, tongue-in-cheek approach todecorating has made http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com one ofthe most popular décor sites on the net.

By Mark J. Donovan

Last weekend I completed my latest custom tiled shower project. It was a complete custom ceramic tile shower renovation project. I have to say it came out beautiful after a lot of planning and work. The project took four weekends to complete. The first weekend was dedicated to removing the old ceramic tile and backer board. The second weekend involved installing a mortar shower pan and new cement backer board. The third weekend was dedicated to actually tiling the shower walls and shower floor. The last weekend was associated with grouting the shower walls and tiles, and doing last minute touch up items such as caulking seams.

In the process of installing the custom tiled shower I filmed and documented the entire process. I have posted a number of new videos associated with tiling a shower at HomeAdditionPlus.com. In addition, I updated my “Shower Pan Membrane Liner Installation Ebook” and generated a new Ebook titled “How to Tile a Custom Ceramic Tile Shower”. If you have plans to install your own custom shower, be sure to check out these Ebooks. They provide step by step instructions on building a custom tiled shower and are loaded with instructional pictures.

So now that I have completed the custom tile shower, I move on with my master bath remodeling project. In the ensuing weeks I will remove the old bathroom vanity and sink, as well as the toilet, and ceramic tile the bathroom floor. I will then install a new bathroom vanity and sink, and reinstall the existing toilet.

Stay tuned for more updates and videos.

Last year I needed to make some improvements to my Bathroom, including replacing the flooring. My wife suggested Tiling, however, I was concerned on having to put down an underlayment (such as 1/4″ plywood) as well as the tile. Trying to cut all the jogs around the cabinet, closet, toilet and tub would have been extremely difficult.

After a little investigation, I found to my surprise that Tile can be installed right over the Linoleum, as long as you prepare the Linoleum first. Basically, you need to sink 1″ to 1.5″ screws or ring nails about 6 inches apart into the Linoleum to stabilize the surface. Once this is done, you can lay the tile down using a standard mastic. To date I have had no problems with loose or cracking tiles or grout

A Homeowner had the following question:

I have a wall in my shower that had cracked tiles and started out to be a small hole but now it has grown. I am covering it with a poster board. I am wondering what to do to repair the sheetrock and retile it? Who would I call to help me fix this, a plumber or a contractor? Any suggestions?

Brenda in Missouri

ANSWER: Sounds like the tile should be removed from the wall and the wall examined. There is probably rot and/or mildew from water seeping in. I would consider replacing the sheetrock with Durock or wonder board then re-tiling.

Ceramic tile can be beautiful and elegant. But it can also be bland and uninspired. If you want to add a little color or creativity to your tile, here’s how!

Remember to clean your tile and let it dry before you begin any project.

1. Seal both tile and surrounding grout with a water-based floor varnish. Ask your home improvement retailer for suggestions about a good water-based floor varnish for your area.

2. Brush paint primer on both tile and grout. Let it dry for at least 12 hours before you begin painting.

3. With an artist’s brush, paint your pattern with latex paint. Simple designs are best. You can use stencils or, if you are brave, try painting your own original design directly on the tile. Let the tile dry before sealing.

4. Seal the tiles with two coats of water-based varnish. Let the tile dry between coats. Decorating your old tile can be easy and fun. Now, anyone have a great idea for rescuing an old bathtub? (Without making it abackyard planter, that is!)

About the Author – Pamela Cole Harris has been a writer for over 35 years (Yikes!Has it been that long? Her fun, tongue-in-cheek approach todecorating has made http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com one ofthe most popular décor sites on the net.