My patio is covered but the outer rows of the tile get rain and some swimming pool water. These rows of tiles are deteriorating (flaking) and even turning to mud. When dry the surface is about a 1/4 inch down from rest of patio. Not sure if I can repair existing tiles with sealant or if they need to be replaced? If sealant is the answer, what prep do I need to do?

I know caulk is normally used as a sealant and grout is used between tiles, but are they made of the same thing? Can I run caulk over my old kitchen counter tile grout to "clean" it up?
If I decide to use caulk over the existing grout, I plan on completely covering the grout with the caulk, not just doing touch-ups.

We just bought a house and discovered that there is old asbestos tile under the linoleum in the kitchen. We were planning on putting in hardwood. Roughly how much would it cost to remove the asbestos tile? It’s not a large kitchen – it’s 9′ x 10′. I know no one can give me an exact cost, I’m just wondering what ballpark we’re talking about. Thanks!

Left wall to neighboring townhouse
Roof above
Back wall to my living room with double French doors
Screened porch below
Angled 1/2 glassed front wall
Modified large triangle 23 x 10 with a SW exposure

I – and my plants – would like to make this a 4 season room instead of a 3 season room! We now use an oil filled radiator just to keep it above freezing.
wood floor – NOT TILED – At least not yet!

I hear there are new modular units that can be put down under tile or wood – has anyone used them?

I just moved and I can’t do anything permanent because I’m renting, but I need to do something to cover the kitchen counter top. It’s a really small piece, just around the sink and a small piece on the side.
to the tile answer–can it come off easily? mine curves at the edge and where it goes up at the back.
I guess it’s formica.

I am remodeling my kitchen and putting a tile counter. How easy would it be to put a built-in wood cutting board?

Thanks for helping- I am doing a remodel and need to pick a new material to use for the kitchen counter and backsplash. I would like to use the same material for both, if possible, because I like the uniform look. Marble, granet, tile, etc? In your answer please tell me WHY you like it and, if possible, why you don’t like the other surfances. Will it stain? Chip? What if I cut on it? Also, do you have any suggestions of web sites with pics I can look at? Color suggestions? Is dark or light better? Thanks!
Good point- My place is up in the mountains in New York. It does get very cold in the winter, and sometimes the place isn’t heated. So, the material would need to be ok with freezing temps.

My kitchen has been gutted. The walls, the electrical, and the wood subfloor has been preped. Should the base cabinets be installed directly onto the wood subfloor (my house has a 3 to 4 foot crawl space…not concrete slab), or should the kitchen floor be tiled first and then install the base cabinets on top of the tile? What is the proper way to do it? Thanks in advance for your answers.

I want to update my kitchen. The cabinets are off white with brassy antique handles. There is beige tile and my appliances are white. I am going to put up an Earth/Clay stone black splash with a mosaic border. I am open to painting the cabinets (cant afford to replace them right now) I want to paint my kitchen a dark brown/cafe color. Any suggestions. My Living area is burnt orange and the dining room is white. I want to paint the dining room too. The dining room is situated between the kitchen and living room; so, I need the colors to flow smoothly between the three rooms. The floor in the living and dining rooms is light color wood. Help! Thx!

I have a burgundy leather nailhead sofa. I have an overstuffed chair of both burgundy and a rich gold in an aztec pattern. I’ll also be purchasing a nice rustic rocking chair. My curtains are also a rich gold with a muted pattern. Beige and cream tile is on the floor and I have a large burgundy braided rug that’s currently used with this set (not committed to the rug). The den, great room, and dining room are open to each other (beige carpeting in den and parts of great room).
Clearly I have a lot of beige, burgundy, and gold (in that order). What color should I paint the walls?

My living room is going to be laminate wood flooring, but I am thinking of using another surface for the entry area, to create a sort of mudroom space. What flooring should I use? I want something very durable because the kids run in and out with sand and mud. Slate? The style of the house is rustic, so the polished or modern look wouldn’t fit. Thanks for your input!
If you reply tile or slate, what about the grout? I hate the way old, dirty grout looks. Are there any alternatives????

I bought this table second-hand and thought the replacement tile would be the standard 12 x 12 tiles, but are actually 11 3/4 x 11 3/4. Is there such a thing?

I just brought a home. I am a diaster when it comes to color cordination and shceme. I need to know where can I get ideas or find an affordable interior decorater. I have a compile of ideas but no way to lay it out. I just remodel my kitchen and tile the whole house. I love it! but I cant get the colors, furniture and feel I am seeking together. HELP!

I’m remodeling my kitchen, the walls are going to be a light blue almost gray, with white trim. black marble looking countertops, wood cabinets and, my floor is going to be laminant, tan almost rustic looking tile. My furniture is rod iron and wood. Any hints on if im going the right direction?.

Malamutes are known chewers and therefore when you go out they have to be kenneled. I am a Stay at home mom so I am home all the time unless I have like a dr’s appt or have to run to the store.
I have a 9 year old malamute that lately, has been escaping her kennel while we are gone. Never before has she done this. She chews the kennel bars until she opens it. Well we put a lock on it so today we ran to the store and a few other places we were gone for 2 hours and she distroyd the tray on the bottom of her kennel, so now its not useable.

I have no idea what has gotten into her but we can’t leave her out because she chews the carpet or my furniture or she get into the trash. We have tried the bathroom but she ripped up the tile trying to get out.

I have no idea what has changed in the last two week, but for 9 years she was fine. Any ideas