• Ensure Your Tiled Shower is Watertight

    It is amazing that some people avoid flood testing their waterproofing installations prior to tiling.  It is inexpensive insurance and can save you a great deal of expense and time.  And, if you install NobleSeal or Chloraloy, you should have a watertight installation for the life of the tile.  Major plumbing codes require tiled showers to be flood tested.    The procedure requires filling the pan with water to the top of the rough threshold and checking for leaks.  Since most leaks occur at the drain, it is prudent to test the area around the drain prior to filling the rest of the…

  • Tiled Showers

    by Richard Maurer

    Published in PHC News, November 2013

    Custom tiled showers are very popular, especially with up-scale baby boomers who want their homes to reflect the quality, function, and style they desire.  A beautiful, custom shower can be a handsome addition to any home and may add substantial value to the property.  In this article we will explore some of the issues to consider when planning, designing, and building tiled showers. 

      Waterproofing is especially important since leaks can result in catastrophic damage and financial loss.  Additionally, there is generally a…

  • Converting Tubs to Custom Tiled Showers

    Grand Haven, MI – Pro-SlopeTM makes converting a tub to a custom tile shower easier. Pro-Slope is made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) and sloped in all directions to a drain. The slope is required by plumbing codes. Pro-Slope can replace traditional pre slopes made from mortar. It is light, easy to install, saves installation time and ensures a proper slope. Pro-Slope eliminates mixing and screeding mortar,

    Noble Company has added a tub replacement sized Pro-Slope. It is 40” wide and 80” long and be trimmed to fit most tubs with drains at either end. The Tub Replacement Kit includes…

  • Are Moisture Vapor Emissions Harmful to Ceramic & Stone Tile Installations?

    By Richard P. Goldberg AIA, CSI; Professional Consultants International, LLC and Robert Scavone Jr., Total Flooring Contractors, Inc.

    Contrary to what you may have heard, tile and stone floors are not immune to problems associated with moisture vapor emission (MVE) through concrete slabs. In response to the increasing number of moisture vapor-related problems that have occurred in the tile industry, the National Tile Contractors Association’s Technical Committee recently approved a new technical document (G-13; General Statement on Moisture Emissions) for the NTCA Reference…

  • NobleSeal® SIS: The Formula for Sound Comfort

    The Willits is the most luxurious condominium development in Southeastern Michigan. Located in Birmingham, an upscale suburb northwest of Detroit, the Willits offers a wide range of amenities including "round the clock" concierge service, a spa and work out facility with a swim/exercise pool and heated parking garage. The "in-town" location provides close proximity to fine dining, shopping, and entertainment.

    Robertson Brothers Company of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, developed the 58-unit project, in partnership with the Palladium Group of New York. Robertson Brothers in a major…

  • Turnberry Place & NobleSeal® SIS

    The Noble Company products were featured in the January-February 2003 issue of Design Cost Data's Building Products Revue article. NobleSeal® SIS was used exclusively for sound isolution at Turnberry Place, a luxury condominium high-rise in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Moisture and Mold Issues in Ceramic & Stone Tile Installations

    Waterproofing wet areas under ceramic and stone tile has become increasingly important with the growth of mold related litigation. This article should provide readers with information about mold and the prevention of conditions necessary for mold to grow.

    Mold is a microscopic fungus that generally appears on the surface of organic materials in warm, damp conditions. Mold needs moisture, a food source and a place in order to grow. Most buildings provide ample food sources and space. Moisture must be controlled in order to prevent mold from thriving.

    There are over 1,000 types of…

  • Waterproofing custom tiled showers

    "The Mystery of the Shower Stall" by David Gobis – as seen in the April 2003 issue of Floor Covering Installer.

  • Use of proper slope helps reduce risks of litigation

    As featured in TileLetter, January 2001, The Noble Company's PRO-SLOPE™ can help avoid legal claims by insuring that the proper slope is built into the base of a shower before installation of tile.

  • Thin-Bed vs. Mortar Bed

    Mortar bed method – Thin-bed method What, where, and why?

    Literature from Noble Company and others in the tile industry contains references to mortar bed and thin-bed methods. Following are descriptions of those methods with a focus on shower waterproofing applications.

    Mortar bed methods have been used for centuries and have proven to be dependable. They are also referred to as thick bed, full mortar bed or mud bed methods. Method involves the following:

    Loose lay a waterproofing membrane like Chloraloy over a substrate that is sloped 1⁄4” per foot from perimeters to a clamping…