Debbie Allmon on Restoring Mexican Tile
Our own certified remodeler and vice president here at Schloegel Design Remodel, Debbie Allmon, was recently featured in the Kansas City Star, answering a reader’s questions about Mexican tile. The reader’s asked:
When my house was built, Mexican tile was put in the front hall, in concrete, over a subfloor. It was then painted with what I think is a white acrylic paint. I would like to make a change. Could the paint be stripped to return to its former Mexican tile color? Could I paint over the white paint with a concrete paint? Could this tile be removed and replaced with a ceramic tile floor? I don’t know if I could do any of this work myself but would appreciate knowing whom to contact for further assistance and information.
Debbie gave this reader some great advice about the tough design predicament.
You could attempt to strip the paint from the tile and grout, though I am doubtful you could get the floor back to its original Mexican tile color. Not knowing if a sealer was used before the floor was painted causes concern about the success of stripping the paint. Another factor is that the grout may have absorbed the paint, and you would not be able to strip the grout. You could test a chemical stripping product in an inconspicuous spot on the floor (if there is one) to see if it works. I would not recommend directly painting over the white paint because the new paint may not adhere to the old. And if the existing paint is failing, you can expect the problem to transfer to the new paint. Your floor could be removed and replaced with a ceramic tile floor, which I think is your best option for look and longevity.
Debbie also recommended checking www.remodelingkc.com to see contractors listed by area and specialty. And of course, Schloegel Design Remodel can always help with home design and renovation projects in the Kansas City area! To read the rest of the article, visit the article on the Kansas City Star.
photo by Sharon Mollerus (CC)
Debby Allmon Addresses Painting Ceramic Tile
Recently, certified remodeler Debby Allmon was featured in the Handyman section of the Kansas City Star. In the article, Debby addresses a reader’s question on the best types of paint to use to paint ceramic tile. Take a look at the reader’s question.
I have white 10-inch square tile around my fireplace and on the hearth as well as white 4-inch ceramic tile around a bathtub. I would like to paint the tile to give it a marble effect. I am thinking I would probably need to use a couple of different colors to achieve the effect. I would want something that would adhere well and last. Is this even a good idea and if so, what type of paint would you recommend?
Here’s Debby’s response to the reader in the KC Star:
Painting tile can be a good idea as long as the tile does not get wet repeatedly. The areas you describe around a fireplace and a tub (that does not also act as a shower) should be suitable locations.
Paint will not stick to a slick, shiny tile surface, so careful preparation is important. Clean the tile vigorously using a bath cleaner with a mild abrasive. Make sure all residue is removed. Allow the tile to completely dry.
Then use an oil-based semi-gloss or high-gloss paint. You may want to get some pictures or pieces of marble to help you emulate the veining and coloring of the marble look you want to achieve. Once the paint has dried for two to three days, coat it with two coats of clear, water-based urethane to protect the paint. Good luck with your project!
Be sure to check out the Handyman Section of the KC Star for more expert design answers from certified remodeler and vice president of Schloegel Design Remodel, Debby Allmon.
Window Pane Solutions
Recently, our very own Debby Allmon was featured in the Handyman section of the Kansas City Star. Debby is a certified remodeler and Vice President here at Schloegel Design Remodel.
Debby was featured in the article as she answered a question submitted by a reader of the KC Star. The reader needed some tips on how to add privacy to the window panes of their French doors.
Here’s a look at what the reader asked the KC Star.
I have French doors in my house with 15 panes of glass (three panes across and five down, each 6 inches by 12 inches) on each door. I want to adhere mirrors over the panes of glass for privacy so I don’t have to use curtains. Someone told me I can’t glue mirror on top of glass. Is this true?
Debby gave the reader some great solutions to add privacy to her French door window panes. Here are some solutions from Debby.
You certainly can glue mirror on top of glass. Be sure to use an epoxy glue to provide a good bonding agent. Some adhesives will not hold over a long period of time on glass or mirror, but epoxy should.
Something you may want to consider is how this will look on the back side of the door — you may need to apply mirror to both sides of the glass so that you do not see the back of the glued mirror on the other side of the door.
Call SDR For Your Window Replacement And Repair!
Did you know that we do window replacement and window repair work? Well, we do!
In this photo, Henry Ramirez, who has been a lead carpenter at SDR for over 18 years, was captured on film as he replaced rotten trim around a 20-something year old window unit. It seems that a lot of homes built in the 1980′s have wood rot problems. This could be due to two factors: paint was going through an overhaul as the use of lead in paint was banned and fast-growth lumber was being used. Fortunately, today the paint is much better and there are many good alternatives to standard wood trim. Call us the next time you discover troublesome wood issues of any type in your home.
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Schloegel Design Remodel Supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation
On Sunday, August 8, 2010 Kansas City hosted the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The event was a big success as 27,000 participants ran in this year’s race and raised over $1 million.
Schloegel Design Remodel is a huge supporter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. We are proud to have had several members of the Schloegel Design Remodel family participate in this past weekend’s race.
Team Schloegel from L to R: Debby, Gayle, Megan, and Leslie
Here is “Team Schloegel” just before the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Kansas City on Sunday, August 8th. Debby, Gayle, Megan and Leslie all participated for a great cause. It was fun for everyone!
For more information on breast cancer awareness, visit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
A Message from Jake Schloegel
One of the best parts of my job is visiting a completed project a few months after we have finished. The homeowners have been enjoying their newly remodeled space and are usually eager to have us take some photos of it so we can post them on our web site. This project was no exception. I had the good fortune of being at the photo shoot with Megan Lynch, the designer on this project.
Megan holds an Interior Design degree from Kansas State University and has several years of experience working in the Kitchen/Bath Remodeling Industry. She is a member of the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) and also serves on the Interior Design Advisory Board for Johnson County Community College. Megan will be celebrating her 4th anniversary at Schloegel Design Remodel this month. Thanks Megan for designing a wonderful project, and for 4 years of exceptional work.
The affect of efflorescence
Debby Allmon, a certified remodeler and vice president of Schloegel Design Remodel, was recently featured in the Kansas City Star‘s Handy Man section.
Debby addresses a question submitted by a reader concerning a moisture issue. Here’s what the reader had to say:
I have a problem with some unsightly brickwork on the front of my house. It is on a front porch area with soil behind the brick. In the past, someone applied a white sealer to the mortar. In a year’s time, the white sealer seems to have come out of the mortar and dissolved on the bricks. It appears as though some fungus might have loosened the painted mortar. Could this be moisture forcing its way through the mortar? The mortar seems to be deteriorating.
Debby diagnosed the issue as “efflorescence,” which is when a while stain appears on masonry due to moisture getting into the sealer and breaking it down. Here’s what she suggested:
Typically, the best removal method would be with a dry brush. Rinsing with water or hand-washing with a mild detergent and a stiff-bristle brush may also be effective. Some people just let the natural weathering process do the work.
Though, Debby adds, there are a few more steps you can take to ensure your problem is taken care of. Read the rest of the article on the Star to find out what you can do.
One Week Bath is a Brilliant Idea
As many of you know, in October of last year Schloegel Design Remodel launched a revolutionary new idea in custom bathroom remodeling, calling it One Week Bath.
This concept was developed in Los Angeles by Matt Plaskoff, a long time friend of Jake’s. Well, as it turns out, Jake wasn’t the only one who thought it was a good idea. Entrepreneur Magazine just named it one of the “100 Brilliant Ideas.” (Scroll down to “9 more to watch”.) We agree it’s a great idea as we continue to remodel One Week Baths, weekly!
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