Solved: How to Prevent Grout Stain | Ep. 84
Some grout products say “stain-resistant,” others say “sanded” or not, and all the different technologies can become confusing for the average do-it-yourselfer. Especially if you just want one thing: a grout that doesn’t stain.
Jennifer from Missouri faces this very situation and wants to know what she can do before renovating her bathroom. She doesn’t want to deal with stained grout this time around.
We recommend applying Fusion Pro from Custom Building Products. It comes premixed, which means the consistency is perfect and you can apply it right out of the bucket.
Listen to the Today’s Homeowner Podcast for more home improvement tips!
- [2:38] Danny and Joe discuss a recently taped TV episode, a community service project in Marianna, Florida, Danny’s hometown.
- [10:58] Best New Product: Zevo Flying Insect Trap Starter Kit.
- [12:26] “You talk about [Leviton electrical outlets] a lot … so how do I pick out one from so many?”
- [16:38] I have an old 1880s home in Wiggins, Mississippi, that we have renovated and added on to. There are oval ornamental vents around the house, but none on the addition … Do I need to install a vent with an exhaust fan that measures humidity and turns on or off based on how high or low the humidity level is?”
- [22:40] “We’re renovating our bathroom and I want to avoid grout stains like we had in the old one. Can you help?”
- [24:38] Simple Solutions: Four tips for safely using an air compressor
- [27:04] Question of the Week: “I had a tile man show up, lay moisture barrier, then backer board, then tape the seams with duct tape! I never heard this as an industry standard. Do I trust this guy to continue tile work for me?”
Simple Solutions
Air Compressor Tips — Here are four tips to keep in mind when using a portable electric air compressor:
1) First, always wear safety goggles and hearing protection when running the compressor. Place compressor in adjacent room, if possible.
2) Compressors vibrate quite a bit when running, so set them on the floor and on top of a soft mat of some sort, such as a folded blanket or quilted moving pad.
3) And all that vibration can over time loosen nuts, bolts and screws, so periodically check the compressor and tighten any loose fasteners.
4) Compressed air often contains moisture that collects inside the compressor’s storage tank. It’s important to drain the tank after each use to prevent rust and corrosion. Unplug the compressor, then open the valve on the bottom of the tank. The air pressure in the tank will blow out the moisture.
Accurately Cutting Plywood Parts—When building plywood drawers, cabinets and boxes, it’s important to know that plywood is typically slightly thinner than its nominal thickness.
For example, ¾-inch-thick plywood actually measures slightly less than 11/16 inches thick. So, if you’re building a 10-inch-wide box and cut the two sides to 8½ inches, the box would only be about 9 13/16 inches wide, not 10 inches.
To avoid this, simply clamp together two pieces of the plywood. Lay a ruler across the parts with the 10-inch graduation aligned with the edge of the clamped-together plywood.
Now, simply read the dimension on the opposite edge. That’s the length of the side pieces.
Question of the Week
Q: “I had a tile man show up, lay moisture barrier, then backer board, then tape the seams with duct tape!”
“He said it sealed the seams, but before he could lay any tile most of the tape came loose and was hanging in many places. I began questioning his knowledge of tile prep.
“After questioning other tile setters, I learned many tile setters use duct tape. I never heard this as an industry standard. Do I trust this guy to continue tile work for me?”
—Quentin Dudoe
A: Duct tape is not recommended for this application; instead, use fiberglass mesh tape. Get a damp cloth and wipe down the project area, let dry and then apply. Then, go over it with thinset mortar.