Newbie Owner- Bathroom and Kitchen Tile

Remodel tip: realize that grout as well as tile comes in different colors, and if "ease in cleaning" is important, you may want grey grout.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

Ali G - Grout doesn't comes in different colors, you tint white grout to the color of your choice...and grey is not the best choice either...thanks for the good advice. At least you didn't request a consulting fee for the info!!!

Here is a misnomer, 'dark colored grouts are easy to keep clean'. This couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, dark grouts are almost impossible to keep clean. One reason for this is that most soil and dirt is light colored and will show up readily (actually be highlighted) on a darker grout. The other reason is most liquid spills will dry leaving an alkali residue (white film) which is very difficult to clean.

Light to medium colored grouts, on the other hand, will be considerably easier to keep clean and looking like new. Simply damp mop as needed with a solution of warm water and a small amount of liquid bleach (yes bleach!). The small amount of bleach will get rid of any imbedded soiling such as dried liquids spills and will result in a new looking floor.

I bought grey grout. Came in a milk carton.

Things must have changed since the last time I bought grout, because Home Depot was offering about 20 different colors and had plenty more available for special order.

Just like Concorde going away :(

Apt boy,

Grouts come in many different colors. They are tinted by the manufacturer. You add water that's it.

I would go to Nemo tile on 21st and Park. Very nice selection. Ask for Michael, tell him Jeff from Prime Renovations referred you. He will take care of you. They also have a list of contractors they will provide. Just for full disclosure, I am on the list.

Primer05, can't one seal the grout? Memories from decades ago.

Of course you can. Not a bad idea. They also have grout called SpectraLock that is more of an epoxy. They say it doesnt stain.

Seaver,

A couple of things you should know:

The chances are great that as soon as you touch a tile you will have to change your plumbing lines back to the riser. You should get your alteration agreement before you do anything. You get that form the management company

Definitely go dark with the grout. I went light once and it basically turned gray on it's own as time went by and always looked dirty. Try Classic Tile in Brooklyn or online www.classictileny.com, as for contractor have them either send you pics of bathrooms they've tiled before, ask for references or have them take you to a current job site. Any contractor that does not have a current or on-going job means they are probably not good. Give a call to my go to contractor Julio Bonete of Bonete Renovation 718-781-9904 - mention or reference me - he may give you a deal :)

Best,
Adam K.

Tradition for bathrooms is white grout on the walls, and black grout on the floors. Gray is just icky, except maybe for stone in gray shades.

Why do you know so much about bathroom tradition?

Is it normal for a bathroom to have a window in the shower? Columbiacounty went to see an apartment with a window in the shower and is still angry about it years later.

>The chances are great that as soon as you touch a tile you will have to change your plumbing lines back to the riser. You should get your alteration agreement before you do anything. You get that form the management company.

Have to agree with Primer,for every family member or friend throughout my life that planned on just changing tiles in the bathroom, ALL went on to do more than just the tiles.
It's inevitable when areas are bombarded by water and humidity to find some form of decay that need attention.

Truth, it's more then that. The building will require you to change the plumbing so you need to open the walls

Wasnt aware of that.

Are minor alteration agreements required on condos as well? OP didnt specify his/her situation.

I recently did my first DIY plumbing job. Changed an outdoor faucet and connections to faucet and garden hose (y connector) for roof deck.
A reasonably safe first job, as leaks wont ruin anything and go down the the roof drain.
I do look under the sink almost everday though to make sure.
Teflon as great as it is may delay something that's wrong.

Haven't tackled the unworking irrigation system yet, got some reading to do on that first.

I suspect previous owner did not winterize last year.

Tutorials and stuff: http://www.dripworksusa.com/

Primer knows what he's talking about.
He's not trying "to sell his services".

What you do with the tiles when it's time to do the reno is what counts.

Thank you for your opinion.