Your Place / Home Q & A
Q:We have a 1948 house with pink tile in the bathroom that we have wanted to do something about for years, but we have been receiving conflicting advice.
Some say painting the tiles will not last long and will start flaking off quickly. Is there a product that has proven to permanently adhere to tile in a high-moisture environment?
We are told the pink tiles are set in a concrete base and will be a major job costing many thousands ($12,000 to $15,000) to remove and replace. The tiles are on the floor (small squares) and the walls throughout the room up to 50 inches from the floor including a full backdrop to the tub. The bathroom is on the second floor with wet-plaster ceilings below, which might not take the removal process well.
A: I’ve seen lots of efforts on the cheap-design shows such as TV’s “Trading Spaces” to change tile color with paint. Since the shows never return to the scene of their crimes, I have no idea how long the paint lasts.
I would assume moisture would be an issue, even if you used a paint designed for areas where the humidity can be high. In addition, if the tiles are glossy, they need to be deglossed or scuffed up to get the paint to adhere to the surface. Floor tiles would be more difficult to keep painted than the ones on the wall because you walk on them.
I’ve seen tile after it has been painted, and it looks painted. You might be able to tile over the pink, if the floor is level and can support the weight. I understand that has a greater success rate than painting tiles.
Q: I am trying to remove plaster to expose a brick wall. Is there a special kind of tool I should be using?
A: Unfortunately, there’s just no easy way to get the job done. A hammer and cold chisel are what I have used for such a task. I wore gloves, a mask, and safety glasses during the work. The wall beneath ended up not being worth the trouble.
There could be asbestos in the plaster if the building predates 1980. To be on the safe side, you should wear a respirator recommended by experts—check the Internet when doing the work.
Have questions for Alan J. Heavens? E-mail him at aheavens@phillynews.com or write him at The Inquirer, Box 8263, Philadelphia, PA 19101.
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