Danny Lipford chats with Shannon Yodice, a.k.a. “That Tile Chick” in this week’s episode of The Ask Danny Podcast.
On this week’s episode of “Ask Danny,” Schannon Yodice, also known as “That Tile Chick” on Instagram, has all the answers to your tile questions.
Schannon is a tile contractor who specializes in tile installation and design. She worked on tile projects part-time until August 2020, when she took the leap of faith to go into setting tile full-time. Since then, she’s grown her social media into her own business.
Read on to learn more about all things tile.
Very rarely is it OK to glue tile directly to a wood subfloor. (joshuaraineyphotography, Getty Images)
Flooring Matters
Can you glue tile directly onto a wood subfloor?
That Tile Chick: Technically, you can do it, but you have to have a certain thickness and the joist spacing needs to be correct. It’s not recommended.
Always use an uncoupling membrane over a wood subfloor, like one from Schluter Ditra.
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This beautiful, marbled tile was installed right over ceramic tiles. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
That Tile Chick: It depends. This is where people can get confused. Some say it’s fine to do so while others say no.
Here’s a good rule to follow: The tile you’re installing is only as good as what it’s stuck to.
So, if you are setting new tile on top of ceramic tile that’s in bad shape, your new tile installation will likely fail.
If the ceramic tile has a solid base, like it was set mud bed, and there aren’t any cracks or loose tiles, you can probably tile over it. But, you have to prime it with a product made for tiling over tile. I use Mapei ECO Prim Grip. Roll on two coats, and always follow the instructions.
Durable porcelain tile is best for the outdoors. (stevecoleimages, Getty Images Signature)
Tips for Outdoor Tiling
What are your tips for installing outdoor tile?
That Tile Chick: Always use porcelain tile. It’s much more durable than ceramic, so it won’t crack as easily.
If you are in an area prone to freeze-thaw, you must use a thin-set mortar or an adhesive that is rated for outdoors. Not all adhesives are rated for outdoors, so if you use one that isn’t, your tile could pop up from the surface.
Prep the surface well. Many outdoor surfaces, like concrete patios or porches, are sloped away from the house, so you won’t get a truly level surface. Fill in any dips or low spots with a concrete patching compound so water doesn’t pool under the tile.
Because grout is porous, bleach and vinegar will eat away at it over time and also leave a film that will attract dirt.
Above all, read the instruction, That Tile Chick says! (Jupiterimages, Photo Images)
Most Common Mistake
What are the biggest mistakes homeowners make when installing tile?
That Tile Chick: Not reading instructions. Every product out there has a data sheet that will tell you its limitations. This gives you factual information, not opinions.
Always follow manufacturer recommendations — they’ve created the product, tested it and know its limitation.
I’m going to listen to them over someone on YouTube. It’s great to get an opinion but always double-check with the manufacturer.
When doing home improvement projects, always keep an eye on the cat. (bakan, Pixabay)
Watch Out For Pets
That Tile Chick: I work a lot in other people’s homes, and in those homes, people have pets. I love animals and interacting with them while I work, but you need to keep an eye on them.
We were working on a shower in a home with a cat. Keep in mind, when you’re working on a shower, you’re typically opening up a subfloor to remove plumbing.
When we were done for the day, we put a piece of plywood over the opening so the homeowner’s children wouldn’t accidentally fall in.
The next morning, when we removed the plywood, out came this black blob. The cat was trapped in the subfloor overnight!
It was a wake-up call for me as a contractor. As much as I love animals, I couldn’t imagine being responsible for harming them.
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This week, we’re in Charlotte, North Carolina, to create a beautiful outdoor area for our Backyard Paradise contest winners.
Courtney Claugus was selected as the lucky winner of our Backyard Paradise contest, so we’re giving her and her husband Adam’s backyard a makeover with help from our friends at Quikrete and Pavestone.
Read on to learn about some of the projects we tackled.
These large, gray linear pavers complement the Claugus’ contemporary home. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Build Two Paver Patios
Two is better than one! And in this, case, two paver patios offer more space for outdoor living!
We designate one patio for seating and another for dining — like an open floor plan for the great outdoors.
Crews from Quikrete, Pavestone and a local construction company build the dual patio setup. The first patio extends from the existing concrete patio, and the second is on the other side of the house.
Paver base provides a solid foundation and also raises the pavers to be even with the concrete patio. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
They first lay out the footprint for the patios, then add four inches of paver base to establish the foundation.
After compacting the paver base, they add one inch of paver sand, then use a level to make the surface even.
Workers use a string to ensure the lines stay even throughout the length of the patio. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
The patios are built with Pavestone’s Avant XL pavers. These large, 16-by-16-inch patio stones have the look of large format plank pavers. The false joints on the gray pavers create clean lines, so they go well with Adam and Courtney’s contemporary-style home. To add some line variety, the crew rotated each paver to create crisscrossed lines.
Once the large pavers are laid, the crew marks a line where the border will begin and cut it with a concrete saw. Then, they lay the smaller border pavers in a soldier course pattern.
Just like grout color matters when laying tile, paver sand color makes a difference on a patio. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
The last step is filling the joints. We use a granite screening to complement the pavers as well as the house’s color. for fine.
These matching pavers create stepping stones to unite the two patios. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
After the patios are complete, we place a few pavers between them to create stepping stones, so the two are united.
The outdoor fireplace becomes the perfect focal point for this seating area. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Build Outdoor Fireplace
Every seating area needs a focal point, so we build an outdoor fireplace.
Pavestone representative Chris Claire found this wood mantel at his mother’s home. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Once the fireplace is built, we add a mantel using a recycled piece of wood. It softens up the hard edges of the stone and warms up the space.
We install the shade sail hooks on the house slightly higher than the ones on the post so we can match the slope of the home’s roof. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Install Shade Sail
The paver patio for dining offers little shade, so we install a shade sail to make the area more comfortable.
First, we dig holes for our two 6-by-6 posts that will support the shade sail. We set wood posts in the ground using Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete, then surround them with pavers to match the patio.
To match the posts to the house columns, we stain pieces of rough-sawn cedar and wrap them over the wood columns. Before we nail the wood over the posts, we add some spacers to keep the cedar planks from bowing. Wrapping these 6-by-6 posts not only makes them look larger, but it also hides the cracks that are inevitable with solid posts.
To join the two columns, we build a horizontal box beam with longer pieces of 1-by-8-inch cedar on the ground before we lift it into place.
Next, we attach two hooks to the top of the posts for half of our shade sail, then attach another two to the side of the house for the other two corners of the shade sail.
Then, we install those hooks slightly higher to give the shade sail a slope and match the angle of the roof.
Danny Lipford and Chelsea Lipford Wolf with Backyard Paradise winners Adam and Courtney Claugus and their dog Kendrick. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Post-Production Thoughts
Courtney and Adam had a nice backyard, but they didn’t have much outdoor living space to enjoy it. With just a small covered concrete pad and a couple of chairs, their outdoor entertaining well was pretty limited.
Adam and Courtney had a big backyard but little room for entertaining. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Now they have not one but two great Pavestone patios that offer plenty of space for entertainment. One is just the right size for outdoor dining under the cover of the shade sail we added, and the other offers a massive space to relax with friends.
By adding two paver patios, we’ve more than doubled the outdoor entertaining space in this backyard. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
The Rumblestone fireplace adds a focal point with loads of character and is bound to be very popular on those chilly nights. Plus, the large format pavers complement the contemporary home’s color and character.
If you upgrade to a smart grill, you can become a barbecue boss.
Read on to learn how new technology can take your grilling game up a level.
Charcoal grills require constant monitoring to keep the temperature even. (Martin Bohac, Pexels)
The Downside of Traditional Grills
With charcoal grills, it’s difficult to maintain a steady temperature. You frequently have to add more charcoal to keep the heat at the temperature you need.
Even with heat-efficient propane grills, you’re constantly monitoring your food so you don’t overcook it or burn it to bits.
And with both, there’s no room for multi-tasking — the food requires your undivided attention.
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The state-of-the-art LED touch-screen control panel operates on a finely tuned algorithm that can maintain even cooking temperatures for hours. That means no more fiddling with knobs to maintain your grill’s internal temperature.
Because it’s wifi-connected, you can remotely monitor and control your food temperature through the Nexgrill app equipped with NEX-fi.
All you need to do is insert the digital thermometer probes into your food and choose your temperature. Set the grill on a timer or have it will shut off when the food reaches the exact temperature that you desire.
Now, you’re free to do whatever else you need! Prepare side dishes inside without having to walk out to check on the grill every few minutes. Or break free from behind the grill to mingle with guests.
The Nexgrill app also offers recipes, grilling tips and a community to share your experiences with other grillers.
Wi-fi not working? No worries! The Neevo 720 Smart Grill can also fire up the old-fashioned way — with no app or automation required.
The Neevo 720 Smart Grill has just over 455 square inches of total cooking space, 44,000 BTUs of total cooking power, and a removable grease tray for easy cleaning.
Preset modes include auto-warm and self-cleaning — just like your kitchen oven!
Two side shelves offer added prep space, and moving the grill around is easy with its two-caster and two-wheel configuration.
Watch the video to learn all about this Best New Product!
Free bench plans are now available for Tips for Today’s Homeowner newsletter subscribers.
This two-in-one seating option offers space for guests AND plants! No green thumb? No problem. Use the plant shelf as a countertop — it’s the perfect height to pull up a chair and set your drink down.
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With help from our friends at The Home Depot, we’ve compiled this list of timely chores to keep your house clean and comfortable.
Listen to this special-edition Today’s Homeowner Podcast, and follow along below, to learn all about the top summer home maintenance projects!
Changing the air conditioner filter makes your AC work better to keep you cooler. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
1. Change AC & Heating System Filters
Regularly changing your HVAC system’s filters is important because a dirty filter will slow down and strain your system. It should take about two to three minutes to take out your old filter and put in a new one.
Also, once your filter is out, go ahead and vacuum the cavity in case of dust build-up.
Your AC drain line can get blocked with mold and mildew, causing its pan to overflow. Flush it with bleach twice during the summer, when it’s working at its hardest.
3. Check for Loose Railings or Damage on Wooden Decks
Changing weather can take a toll on your deck. Nails and screws can loosen during the temperature change and splinters can pop up once the heat rises.
Inspect and repair any damage to your deck so you can have some safe fun in the sun. Top it off with a coat of sealer to keep it protected all summer long.
Check for any loose parts or rot (if it’s wood). If you have cushions, be sure to wash them. In addition, if your cushions get wet from rain, be sure to hang them out to dry on a sunny day to avoid mold.
If you do this on a regular basis, it makes it a lot easier to keep everything clean.
Your fireplace will be ready for winter if you have it inspected this summer. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
7. Have Chimney Inspected & Cleaned
Now’s a great time to have a professional inspect your fireplace and chimney because you aren’t using them during the summer.
Plus, you’ll have more time for repairs if needed.
Scrape off peeling paint and put on a fresh coat for an exterior refresh. (mehampson, Getty Images)
8. Scrape Loose Paint from Siding & Trim
Boost your home’s curb appeal by freshening up siding. Scrape away any loose paint, sand if needed, then prime and paint on a fresh coat.
If it’s an older paint, be sure to test it for lead as a precaution.
Mix 1 teaspoon of baby shampoo to 1 gallon of water, or 1-1/2 cups of vinegar to 1 gallon of water, and wipe windows down with newspaper for a streak-free shine.
Involve family members and tag-team to speed things up! Have one person clean the windows inside while another cleans the outside.
Finally, summer blooms are burgeoning! Now is the perfect time to pull any weeds from garden beds and prevent further weed growth by adding 2 to 3 inches of mulch.
Listen to this special-edition Today’s Homeowner Podcast for more summer home maintenance tips!
