master bath project

[Vince]

Just when I thought I was flying along with this project, more snags.

I decided to cut all the pieces that needed cutting before installing anything. Being new at all of this, I had to remark several tiles before getting everything correct. After adjusting several marks for my cuts with a brand of china marker called SuperiorBilt from the Home Depot, I discovered that this stuff does not wipe off with a damp rag like the package says. The package says these markers are best for marking granite, marble, ceramic, porcelain, glass and other surfaces. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, what was the solution? I was able to get some of the markings off with an eraser but had to rework my tile layout so the markings would be in areas where they will be cut off.

Any ways, I have discovered that some of the tiles rock a little and some more than a little. The backs are not perferctly flat and I think that when I taped the seams there may be a few high spots. I am worried now that this will be a problem. In Steven's last reply he mentioned using a 1/4 notched trowel unless the floor was not perfectly flat. Obviously something is not flat and I'm wondering now if I should use something other than the 1/4 inch notched trowel? Any suggestions or ideas?

Hopefully I will get to the grouting stage of this project sometime and was wondering if I should use sanded or unsanded grout? These are unfilled travertine tiles and I wouldn't mind getting some grout in the holes unless this is a problem.

Thanks again,

Vince

[John Bridge]

Vince,

You're always going to have a little uneveness (word? ) in a floor. Use the quarter-inch trowel. You will have to back-butter some of the tiles, but we all have to do that. It's not a perfect world.

I can't help you with the china markers. Try paint thinner and alcohol. Neither will hurt your stone or tile.

[Vince]

I haven'T been on The forum in a while and have been meaning To posT some pix so you guys could see The resulT of all of The help and guidance I've goTTen from John and Michael's books and This forum (and maybe do a liTTle oooing and aaahing! ). I've Tiled and grouTed The floor and shower and am waiTing for The grouT To finish curing in The shower so I can seal iT.

I ThoughT all I had lefT now was To purchase fixTures (showerhead and fauceTs) To be insTalled by The plumber and I would be done. I was Told by a friend ThaT The fauceT handles come in a kiT wiTh The valves ThaT are insTalled by The plumber in The wall. The plumber ThoughT iT was a good idea To replace The valves since They were TwenTy years old and The wall was open anyway afTer we Tore ouT The old Tile and morTar so we leT him do iT. The kiT he boughT was by Price PfisTer and has The cheapesT, ugliesT handles available and of course They don'T maTch anyThing in The baThroom. My quesTion is wheTher we can buy differenT handles or if we are sTuck wiTh whaT came in The kiT? Thanks in advance, again!

P.S.--In casing anyone is wondering, The "T" key only works if iT is in caps; oTherwise iT looks like " his" (This).

[Davy]

Yes, you can buy different trim kits, I was wondering about the T's.

[Vince]

Thanks for The speedy response Davy. Do I have To buy anoTher Price PfisTer Trim kiT or can I buy a differenT brand (ie-Moen, DelTa, Kohler, eTc...)? Are These valves universal or are There differenT kinds ThaT go wiTh differenT brands?

[Vince]

I don't see any responses to my last post. I was on a different system and am wondering if there is a problem with my posting so I'm going to try it again.

Regarding buying a new trim kit, are the valves universal where I will be able to buy any handles of any other brand or am I limited to Price Pfister handles?

Thanks again.
Vince