Auburn Hills, MI200 Tiling Professionals near you

Dirt, mildew and grime can make your grout lines look downright tragic. If you have the ability, DIY tile and grout cleaning is definitely doable. Your main obstacles are time, project size, availability of the right materials and effort. Your first step in tile and grout cleaning is making sure the surface area is cleaned of basic dirt and buildup and wiped down. Be sure not to use a bleach-based cleaning agent, which could react dangerously with the vinegar used in later steps.

Depending on the delicacy of your tile and grout, it may be wise to start with water and friction before proceeding to a cleaning solution. In the shower you can spray the area while brushing gently, or use a spray bottle filled with warm water on countertops or floors. If water won’t do the trick, try a solution of equal parts warm water and white vinegar, and repeat the gentle brushing motion. This combination should begin to lift dirt and grime from the grout. For additional tile and grout cleaning power, baking soda applied directly to grout lines and sprayed with your water vinegar solution can help suds off sticky grime. If your DIY cleaning solutions aren’t doing the trick, store-bought sprays and pastes may have more cleansing power. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning and enjoy your sparkling clean grout.

Tile and grout cleaning supplies include:

• Old standard or electric toothbrush
• Stiff bristle brush
• Spray bottle
• White vinegar
• Commercial grout cleaner

You can install tiling on your floors, walls, counters, kitchen backsplash, outdoor patio and shower — to name a few places. Tile is beautiful, easy to clean, durable, and resilient against kids and pets. The national average for tile installation cost ranges between $490 and $750. Often, tile installation specialists quote a price per square foot for installation. Costs can increase if you want the pro to supply the tile instead of ordering it yourself. Other factors that can increase cost include specialized installation with a unique design that will require more labor to install.

Prep work will also affect tile installation costs. Demolition of the existing floor, counter or backsplash takes time and energy that will be reflected in the price. Necessary repairs, such as a sub-floor that needs bolstering before tile flooring can be installed, will also increase costs. For tile showers, one example of tile installation cost may be approximately $25 per square foot including all materials and labor. Average tile installation costs for backsplashes may run anywhere from $10 to $40, depending on the materials selected and the amount of labor required. The larger the area where tile is being installed, the lower the price per square foot will likely be. For example, a flooring pro may charge approximately $3.50 per square foot for wood-look tile installation in an area ranging between 6 feet by 24 feet and 8 feet by 48 feet.

The cost of tiling a shower depends on two main factors: the size of the shower and the quality of the tiles. In general, most professional tilers charge an average of $25 per square foot of tiled area and the national average cost for a tile installation project is $490-$750. The tiles themselves are the greatest variable; the cost depends on their size, shape, pattern and manufacturer. For example, tile purchased at a volume discount from a big-box store cost far less than tiles made in small batches by an artisan ceramics shop. Prices can range from as little as $1 to $50 or more per square foot of tile. Other factors that will drive up the total tile installation cost are grout and mortar, speciality tiles like bullnose caps or soap holders, and surface prep materials, especially if drywall needs to be replaced before the tile can be installed. Many tile installers will also remove and haul away any old materials from an existing shower installation.  

Tile installation costs are a key part of your bathroom remodel costs. The tile you select (which can range from under $2 per square foot to $50 per square foot or more), the demolition and repair work required prior to installation, and the size of the job will all affect cost. You can install tile in the shower, on the counters, on the wall or on the floor. The national average for tile installation cost ranges between $490 and $750. Bathroom tile is easy to clean and durable for daily life. Here are some examples of average bathroom tile installation costs:

• Tile installation at $25 per square foot of tiled bathroom area.
• A standard tub and shower combo requires tiles for approximately 60 inches of length. Calculate wall height and add 30 to 36 inches of tub width for the walls at the head and foot of the tub. If the tile walls are 6 feet to 8 feet high, in this example, the tile installation costs would run about $2,000. Price includes materials.
• Tile installation on a 3-foot by 5-foot regular tub and shower walls with an 8-foot ceiling: $1,450. Price includes materials.
• Tile installation on a 3-foot by 5-foot regular tub and shower walls with a 10-foot ceiling: $1,650. Price includes materials.

For more on how to remodel a bathroom and bathroom tiling check out The Complete Thumbtack Bathroom Remodel Guide.

Tile installation costs for ceramic floors depend on the type of tile you select. You can purchase tile that sells for under $2 per square foot or tile that costs $50 per square foot — or more for artisanal and hand-painted tiles. The cost of labor to install a tile floor will also depend on the tile you select. It is far less labor-intensive to install a white 12-inch by 12-inch square tile than a 2-inch by 2-inch hexagonal tile with a distinct pattern. That extra time and energy equates to a higher per-square-foot installation cost. For example, a flooring pro may charge approximately $3.50 per square foot for labor to install wood-look tile in an area ranging between 6 feet by 24 feet and 8 feet by 48 feet. That same pro may charge $6 or more per square foot for a more intricate pattern, or a smaller space. Some installers may charge a minimum day rate for ceramic tile floor installation, such as $340 minimum per day, to cover business expenses and employee wages. If you’re looking to reduce costs, removing your existing flooring and handling any repairs needed can help eliminate prep work costs. Prep work may be charged per hour and could cost anywhere from $25 to $80 per hour or more, depending on the region and the type of repair work necessary.