Ep 12. Tile Flooring Gone Awry

Holmes On Homes is a Canadian home renovation series starring contractor Mike Holmes. In season 5 episode 12, titled "Tile Flooring Gone Awry," Mike and his team take on a renovation project where the homeowners had previously installed tile flooring themselves, but had not done it properly.

The homeowners had decided to do a DIY renovation in their home, which included installing tile flooring in their kitchen and dining room. However, they quickly realized that they were in over their heads and the tile installation was not turning out properly. They hired a contractor to try and fix the problem, but ultimately were left with a complete disaster. The tiles were cracking and popping up, the grout was uneven, and there were even tiles missing altogether.

Mike and his team are called in to assess the problem and come up with a solution to finally fix the tile floor. When they arrive, they find that the previous contractor had used the wrong adhesive and had not properly prepared the subfloor before beginning the installation. To make matters worse, the homeowners had installed radiant heat underneath the tile, which required a different type of adhesive and a more specific installation process.

Mike and his team get to work removing all of the old tiles and adhesive, as well as repairing the subfloor. They explain to the homeowners what went wrong in the previous installation, and assure them that they will take the necessary steps to ensure that the new tile flooring will not suffer the same fate.

The renovation process involves laying the new tiles in a specific pattern to maximize the support they provide to each other, as well as installing an uncoupling membrane to prevent the tiles from cracking and popping up again. Once the tiles are in place, Mike and his team carefully grout them, using a leveling system to ensure that the grout lines are even and level.

Throughout the episode, Mike emphasizes the importance of proper tile installation and subfloor preparation. He also stresses the importance of hiring a professional contractor who is knowledgeable and experienced in tile installation, rather than attempting a DIY renovation or hiring an inexperienced contractor.

In the end, the homeowners are overjoyed with their new tile flooring and grateful for the expertise and professionalism of Mike and his team. The tile is level, even, and beautiful, and they can rest easy knowing that it was installed properly and will last for years to come.

Overall, season 5 episode 12 of Holmes On Homes is a fascinating look into the importance of proper tile installation and preparation, and the disastrous consequences that can occur when it is not done correctly. The episode also showcases the professionalism and expertise of Mike and his team, who are able to turn a complete disaster into a beautiful and functional tile floor.