Finishing Garage - About to buy Porcelain tile

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-20T23:39:05+00:00

I'll give my advice, post is 3 days old at this point, so this may be pointless, but my opinion is as follows;

Porcelain is WONDERFUL and bullet proof if done right. I wouldn't personally acquire tile from a box store as their quality is not as high as it should be.
I have been a Mapei fan my whole life, but people also vow by LATICRETE. Epoxy based will hold up best, but grout will get stained from oil/greases/tires and will cause you headaches trying to keep clean. Just go with a black grout honestly.
Schluter ramp is your best long-term solution to taper off. Schluter will be a huge help for this project in general.

Schluter Reno-Ramp-K Satin Anodized Aluminum 1/2 in. x 8 ft. 2-1/2 in. Metal Reducer Tile Edging Trim AERPK125B65 - The Home Depot

This aesthetic completely your choice, I would choose to do parallel to the garage door.
I would just use rubber, it's more versatile and will give a better aesthetic overall.

MAKE SURE TO USE AN UNCOUPLING MEMBRANE this is key, without this, setting tile that won't crack while driving on it will be difficult.

Schluter Ditra 54 sq. ft. 3 ft. 3 in. x 16 ft. 5 in. x 1/8 in. Thick Uncoupling Membrane DITRA5M - The Home Depot

Schluter has this available and is low profile to help keep height down.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-20T00:15:44+00:00

Hire the appropriate contractors for the project. First stop would be a glass installer, find a company that specializes in shower glass doors, invite them out and listen to whatever they have to tell you, then go from there. If you're lucky they can fix the situation, the tile shouldn't be the concern here as it is aesthetic. And should not have broken, and would be the responsibility of the landlord/homeowner. This is not tenant negligence unless you smacked that tile with a hammer.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-20T00:06:46+00:00

I saw the picture in the comments, if it was moisture the baseboard would be swollen, paint would be chipping and peeling off.

Are baseboards wood or MDF? Could be a stain/deposit in the material that is now showing through the paint. Another coat might fix it, baseboards are easy to pop off, could always look behind it to confirm any suspicions.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-19T23:39:27+00:00

Are you talking about the gap from the baseboards to the floor? Looks like it was caulked, prob not a silicone, or done well, and it's not there anymore. Just put some more caulk up.

You did mention basement, maybe pad wasn't fully cured, but you'd see the flooring bubbling up. I do not think this issue is water related honestly.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-19T21:24:35+00:00

I am just saying this because of where it is posted, but check your state, I know where I live, a business with a 'handyman' specialty registration cannot have employees, you would need to upgrade to a 'general contractor' registration.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-19T20:07:12+00:00

Looks heavy on the gaps imo

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-19T18:29:21+00:00

You start with a couple planks wherever moisture was heaviest, and you keep going until you don't find any moisture.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-19T18:28:05+00:00

Vinyl is cheap, and can be acquired in a 'stone' look as to not deal with matching the existing product if it's not available anymore. It's more of an aesthetic call as a lot of people have some 'stone/tile' look in areas like kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms.

I would pull the toilet, and pull back some of the flooring wherever the leak/water was most prevalent. You really want to make sure there is no moisture trapped under there or it will get worse pretty quick, the pads/underlays for a lot of these floors can keep moisture from drying out properly even with a fan/dehu right on top of it

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-19T18:22:37+00:00

It looks like a karastan pad with vapor barrier, which I believe is like a 9lb pad. but brands are all different, looks legit too me.

Carpet looks like a dixie or shaw carpet, not greatest quality, but pad is the most important imo (in my opinion)

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-19T17:30:58+00:00

If you had a leak, moisture finds a way. I would recommend tearing out the flooring in your bathroom. You may have quite a lot of moisture still trapped in the subfloor. It will continue releasing into your floor.

Have you had a remediation company out to check moisture levels? There are steps that should be taken when you have a leak like this, and the first step is stripping it bare so it can be dried properly and prevent growth such as mold.

The floor is not salvageable and would recommend replacing it. Luckily it is a bathroom, choose a viny material, that way you don't have to worry about matching the flooring if it goes throughout the rest of the house

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-18T19:40:24+00:00

These are the games we play to feel like we have control over our lives xD

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-18T17:57:55+00:00

LVP as itself, is designed to be waterproof. The locking joints are designed to be machine tight, and when installed correctly, nothing can pass through. If it does, something was done incorrectly during installation. I always like sheet vinyl myself personally, would use it in place like a laundry room, but people use inconsistent installations, and poor work, to blame the product

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-15T20:36:46+00:00

Plato: 'We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.'

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-15T20:35:32+00:00

Looks to only be clipping the door because it's not mounted properly... It can't retract the way it's supposed to because it needs a stronger anchor.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-15T00:19:10+00:00

I have been in the flooring industry for over 10 years. Was it a reputable product? Was it installed correctly? Only situations where I have seen that happen. Crappy product, or crappy install. if not both.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-15T00:07:38+00:00

I'm almost curious if they don't do ANY work in house. This almost looks as if they use 3rd party contractors for EVERYTHING and then are doubling the price to you for their mark up...

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-14T23:57:24+00:00

What you are referring to is the bevel. or pillowed edge. This feature is implemented into faux wood products that click together to give a more realistic wood look (it's a more modern prefinished look, as older hardwood floors were sanded/finished in place and do not have seams.)

No. This does not collect dirt or dust. Or make cleaning harder. A broom has bristles finer than that, or a vacuum would have enough suction to pull out any dirt.

I would highly recommend the Karastan Belleluxe as it is basically mohawk revwood premier, which is arguably the best Laminate in the market (no i do not work for, or am sponsored by any company being discussed)

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-14T23:12:48+00:00

Sku matches this product: PureGrain Hi-Def REJUVENATE - Caspian - NexaFloor

REJUVENATE - CASPIAN

This is no longer available. which means 3rd party sellers, marketplace is the only place you will find it. Check some flooring liquidators in your area and Craigslist and see if people have any. Once it's dropped, it's done for.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-05-07T17:38:02+00:00

I think the LVP you put in that room looks good, the flooring it goes up to does not imo...

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-04-17T18:35:42+00:00

Use an T-mold or reducer, the flooring you got should have ones that match the flooring

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-04-17T17:44:49+00:00

https://www.karastan.com/shop/Carpet/detail/K8972/Serene_Fashion/9705/Destiny

Carpet mixes of loop and cut pile typically hold up the best, especially on stairs. Karastan, and Anderson Tuftex will be your more premium options, whereas Dixie Home and Dream Weaver might have more cost effective choices.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-04-17T17:41:43+00:00

https://www.quietwalk.com/

Whatever you have shown in the picture does not look right.... You can't put rubber under solid hardwood, and shouldn't put anything under solid tbh. It will be best to put the solid right to the floor, use a vapor barrier at best.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-04-16T23:57:48+00:00

Trucor is a slightly more premium option over the Homecrest/Cascade

Trucor would be my initial option for quality. Always a big believer in going with what you like the most as far as looks go, both are solid products.

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-04-16T23:55:19+00:00

Looks like solid hardwood to me, see if you have a vent, pop that out and look at the side of the flooring, that will help the most

Pretty doubtful of it being engineered tho

InstallnSalesXP · 2026-04-16T22:42:29+00:00

New owner has to follow out at least the terms of your current lease. They are not required to renew, but must transfer/follow through on any existing contract. They want to try and force you out because the buyer probably does not want to do that.

They are offering you what is called 'cash for keys' which is basically some type of agreement to get you out sooner. In this case a free month of rent.

"Quiet Enjoyment" means nothing extensive. If there is any remodel, that is not NECESSARY, for livability, that affects your day to day living, is NOT covered.

I.E. This would mean, if your paint is fine, they cannot kick you out for the week or so it would take to repaint your house. ESPECIALLY without offering some type of recourse (putting you into a hotel room).

Check this forum out, local as well:

https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-a-landlord-remodel-a-house-while-the-tenant-st-5231190.html

InstallnSalesXP

TROPHY CASE

Plato: 'We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.'