Do I need to remove old grout before installing new tile?

• <div><p>No, you don’t need to remove the old grout before installing new tile over existing tile. In fact, the old grout helps fill in gaps between tiles, creating a more even surface for the new layer. However, it's important to ensure that the <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-clean-tile-and-grout.htm">grout is clean</a>, solid, and free of cracks or crumbling areas. Damaged grout should be repaired or replaced before proceeding. Cleaning the surface thoroughly and filling any low spots will help the new adhesive bond properly and ensure a smooth, stable installation.</p></div>

Get matched with top ceramic tile pros in Dubois, ID

Q: What is the 3/4/5 rule for laying tile?

• <div><p>The rule tells you how to cut tile to install it in a corner. The 3/4/5 rule recommends that you should have 3 feet across on one straight line, four feet on the other perpendicular line, and 5 feet of length from the end of one of the lines to the other. You&rsquo;re making a right triangle with the tile, and the hypotenuse (the line across from where the 3-foot lie and 4-foot line meet) should be 5 feet long. </p></div>

Q: What tile spacing should I use?

• <div><p>The tile spacing you should use will depend on the tile and where you&rsquo;re installing it. <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/choosing-bathroom-floor-and-wall-tile-spacers.htm">Choosing the right tile spacers</a> to maintain a consistent gap between your tiles is tricky. Generally, tile spacing shouldn&rsquo;t be less than 2 millimeters on walls and 3 millimeters on floors because of stress relief requirements. Getting it wrong can result in uneven tiles and early repairs.</p></div>

Q: Do I need to remove old grout before installing new tile?

• <div><p>No, you don&rsquo;t need to remove the old grout before installing new tile over existing tile. In fact, the old grout helps fill in gaps between tiles, creating a more even surface for the new layer. However, it's important to ensure that the <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-clean-tile-and-grout.htm">grout is clean</a>, solid, and free of cracks or crumbling areas. Damaged grout should be repaired or replaced before proceeding. Cleaning the surface thoroughly and filling any low spots will help the new adhesive bond properly and ensure a smooth, stable installation.</p></div>

Q: Do you install shower doors before or after tile?

• <div><p>It&rsquo;s best to install a shower door after the bathroom tile is in place to ensure you have accurate measurements. If you try installing a shower door first, the tile might be too thick to install afterward, or the tile will be too thin and create a gap between the shower doors that allows water to leak. With the tile in place first, you&rsquo;ll know the exact shower door size that you need.</p></div>

Q: What tile is least slippery for a shower floor?

• <div><p>Natural stone floors, especially pebble-style tiling, are one of the least slippery options for a shower floor. Natural stone has a texture to reduce slickness, and pebble-shaped tiles add more visual and textural contrast while reducing slippage. Vinyl tiles are also designed with anti-slip texture for added safety. If you have a slippery tile, be sure to add a grippy shower mat to reduce the risk of falls. </p></div>

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Just Right Homes, LLC

5.0(

)

Tile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Repair

Serving Dubois, ID and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Free estimates

"We wanted to extend our laminate flooring throughout our first floor. JRH worked quickly, got our old carpet removed, and installed the laminate, meshing into the existing laminate perfectly."

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Snake River Case & Mill, LLC

2.9(

)

Tile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Repair

Serving Dubois, ID and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1999

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"They were very responsive to our design and changes. They delivered and installed a quality product. We've been using Snake River Case & Mill for years. They are our goto for anything cabinet related!"

Recommended by66%of homeowners

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Timmys Tile and Paint

4.9(

)

Tile: Ceramic and Porcelain - InstallTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Install - For BusinessTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Repair

Serving Dubois, ID and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Tim did a great job at a reasonable price!"

Response time7 hrs

Recommended by92%of homeowners

Tile: Ceramic and Porcelain - InstallTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Install - For BusinessTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Repair+1 more

Serving Dubois, ID and surrounding areas

"It was great. K.C. was fast and does wonderful work. He was efficient and got back to me promptly whenever I had questions."

+11

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Chaud Company Plumbing Services LLC

4.7(

)

Tile: Ceramic and Porcelain - InstallTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Install - For BusinessTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Repair+1 more

Serving Dubois, ID and surrounding areas

In business since 1986

Credit card accepted

"Showed up before I was off of the phone.
Diagnosed the problem and solved it before a tear fell from my
face about having to call a plumber on a Monday!
"

Recommended by96%of homeowners

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Kitchen Tune-Up Idaho Falls Region

4.8(

)

Tile: Ceramic and Porcelain - InstallTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Install - For BusinessTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Repair+1 more

Serving Dubois, ID and surrounding areas

In business since 1988

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"They were very good on first two appointments. The second appointment they were late but called to let us now when they were coming. they never gave me the promised quote or design so I found someone else. It all sounded good but they just didn't seem to want to do a $14,000.00 job."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Jill Seidner Interior Design

3.5(

)

Tile: Ceramic and Porcelain - InstallTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Install - For BusinessTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Repair+1 more

Serving Dubois, ID and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Credit card accepted

"The design was totally useless to me. I was extremely disappointed.
"

Recommended by55%of homeowners

Tile: Ceramic and Porcelain - InstallTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Install - For Business

Serving Dubois, ID and surrounding areas

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Dan and his crew were very professional in the entire backsplash tile project. He is a good communicator using both texts & phone calls. His emailed estimate was clear & they got right on this small job and did excellent work. They were thorough in their clean-up and we are confident in recommending them far & wide? my wife is VERY happy with the results & that makes me very happy!"

Response time2 days

Recommended by50%of homeowners

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Honey Badger Exteriors

4.9(

)

Tile: Ceramic and Porcelain - InstallTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Install - For BusinessTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Repair+1 more

Serving Dubois, ID and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

"Quick, efficient, on time, clean-up. Answered my request on day one, gave me an estimate, arrived on time, and were gone. I like them, so should you. Thanks"

Response time20 mins

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Sebastian Tile, LLC

New to Angi

Tile: Ceramic and Porcelain - RepairTile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Repair- For Business

Serving Dubois, ID and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business! Book with us online or feel free to give us a call today!

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Showing 1-10 of 16

Ceramic Tile questions, answered by experts

The rule tells you how to cut tile to install it in a corner. The 3/4/5 rule recommends that you should have 3 feet across on one straight line, four feet on the other perpendicular line, and 5 feet of length from the end of one of the lines to the other. You’re making a right triangle with the tile, and the hypotenuse (the line across from where the 3-foot lie and 4-foot line meet) should be 5 feet long.

The tile spacing you should use will depend on the tile and where you’re installing it. Choosing the right tile spacers to maintain a consistent gap between your tiles is tricky. Generally, tile spacing shouldn’t be less than 2 millimeters on walls and 3 millimeters on floors because of stress relief requirements. Getting it wrong can result in uneven tiles and early repairs.

No, you don’t need to remove the old grout before installing new tile over existing tile. In fact, the old grout helps fill in gaps between tiles, creating a more even surface for the new layer. However, it's important to ensure that the grout is clean, solid, and free of cracks or crumbling areas. Damaged grout should be repaired or replaced before proceeding. Cleaning the surface thoroughly and filling any low spots will help the new adhesive bond properly and ensure a smooth, stable installation.

It’s best to install a shower door after the bathroom tile is in place to ensure you have accurate measurements. If you try installing a shower door first, the tile might be too thick to install afterward, or the tile will be too thin and create a gap between the shower doors that allows water to leak. With the tile in place first, you’ll know the exact shower door size that you need.

Natural stone floors, especially pebble-style tiling, are one of the least slippery options for a shower floor. Natural stone has a texture to reduce slickness, and pebble-shaped tiles add more visual and textural contrast while reducing slippage. Vinyl tiles are also designed with anti-slip texture for added safety. If you have a slippery tile, be sure to add a grippy shower mat to reduce the risk of falls.

The Dubois, ID homeowners’ guide to ceramic tile services

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