Kitchen / Bathroom Caulking Maintenance

June 28, 2009 by aprecisehomeinspection

Hello Colorado Springs, here is an article written by Randy Flanery of Tri-Valley Tile & Stone, one of the most trusted and experienced tile craftsman in Colorado.

CAULK REPAIR If you have been in your current home for more than five years, make sure you inspect your caulking in your shower or your tub surround. Look for an appearance where the edges of the caulk are either peeling or have a break in the body of your caulk. If either of these are the case at your home, you need to either call me for more 'hands on advice' or try to repair this situation yourself. Remember, to have an effective outcome with this repair you MUST use SILICONE caulk. DO NOT USE latex or latex-siliconized caulk-they only last for six to twelve months. If you are looking to buy a home, here are a few important things to look out for as well. TILE AND GROUT INSPECTION If the entry way or kitchen has tile already installed on the floor, pull off one of the heater vent covers and look to verify if the tile installation was done on top of the sub-floor only (you will see only wood and mortar under the tiles), this was done with out a proper tile substrate or you will see a cement or gray looking board on the top of the plywood/sub-floor and mortar in between them. This was a correct installation.

1. If this installation was done on the top of the sub-floor, you will see hair-line cracks all over your floor area OR it will begin to crack very soon. In either case you should have the seller or your agent request a CREDIT towards a new floor.

2. Also, if you step on a tile that was installed by a person in a hurry, or inexperienced, you will hear a 'Hollow' sound. Tap this tile with your hand/knuckles and it should give a 'dull' or 'hollow' sound as well. This is a problem because the installer did not cover enough of the back of the tile with 'Thin-set Mortar', which is what affixes the tiles to the underlayment on your floor.

3. Remember, the state of Colorado DOES NOT REQUIRE anyone who installs tile or stone to have any type of license. So be very alert to who comes over to YOUR HOME and find out how they received their schooling in this amazing trade that adds so much elegance to the place where you live. If done by a person who THINKS he is doing it right, the out come will be noticed by everyone AND, if done by a licensed professional with state schooling under his belt, this also will be noticed by everyone.

4. I do my best to go beyond what is required in every installation which I�¯�¿�½m involved in. To show this I give either a THREE, FIVE or TEN YEAR WARRANTY on all of my installations.

Again, if you have any questions at all please call me. Best Regards to everyone who loves the elegance of TILE OR STONE RANDY FLANERY 'TRI VALLEY TILE & STONE, INC' (719) 641-9538 tilestoneartisanship@gmail.com Since 1987: Schooled through the state of California, C-54 licensed, trained through the 'Tile Setters Union' from 1987-1992

For more information on home inspection issues, please call Lance Hayward, A Precise Home Inspection, Inc @ 719-272-0100 or visit us on line at www.aprecisehomeinspection.com