Tiling Question Again

Zahrii · Jan 7, 2020

Alright, I think I finally figured out my plan. Just because I'm a very worrisome chin owner, and I'm not sure how my boys would act around grouting, I won't be grouting my tiles. I'll just make sure they have a really tight fit in the Bass Equipment pan. That also means I won't be using liquid nails or anything to adhere the tiles to the pan, because I'd be taking them out and cleaning them weekly just to make sure any potential urine leakage doesn't sit under the tile for a long amount of time. But, this brings up another issue. How am I going to take the tiles out of the pan if they'll be super tight in there? Would any specific tools help? This is the last tiling question I'll post, I swear.

Pepperpot · Jan 8, 2020

Don't fit them so tightly that you cannot easily remove them.

mjricha · Jan 11, 2020

I'm a tile setter! Figured I'd jump in here. I would be careful about what tiles you are going to use if you aren't going to grout the base. Most tiles are just porcelain or clay that is glazed and baked on the top. Meaning that any urine that soaks between the cracks will get soaked up by the base of the tiles if it gets underneath. This would make cleaning them really really hard other than just getting some of pee off the base. The longer they are in there the more pee they will soak up. If you really want to go the groutless route, I would recommend that you get granite tiles and polish the hell out of the bottoms and sides. You can do this with diamond polishing sponges you can buy on eBay. This would really help sealing them naturally so they don't soak up any pee. It's really hard work and it will take a looooong time but that's the best you can do. I wouldn't be concerned about them chewing on grout, but if you are worried you could buy rectified tiles that have very square edges and do a 1/16 inch non sanded grout line. This is about the smallest groutline you can get and they would have a really difficult time being able to chew on them. This is the best way to go imo. Easier for you to install and clean, as you won't have to remove the tiles and they will be water tight. When you get tiles make sure you get a high PEI as this tells you how waterproof the tile is. If you have any other questions let me know!

Zahrii · Jan 11, 2020

mjricha said:
I'm a tile setter! Figured I'd jump in here. I would be careful about what tiles you are going to use if you aren't going to grout the base. Most tiles are just porcelain or clay that is glazed and baked on the top. Meaning that any urine that soaks between the cracks will get soaked up by the base of the tiles if it gets underneath. This would make cleaning them really really hard other than just getting some of pee off the base. The longer they are in there the more pee they will soak up. If you really want to go the groutless route, I would recommend that you get granite tiles and polish the hell out of the bottoms and sides. You can do this with diamond polishing sponges you can buy on eBay. This would really help sealing them naturally so they don't soak up any pee. It's really hard work and it will take a looooong time but that's the best you can do. I wouldn't be concerned about them chewing on grout, but if you are worried you could buy rectified tiles that have very square edges and do a 1/16 inch non sanded grout line. This is about the smallest groutline you can get and they would have a really difficult time being able to chew on them. This is the best way to go imo. Easier for you to install and clean, as you won't have to remove the tiles and they will be water tight. When you get tiles make sure you get a high PEI as this tells you how waterproof the tile is. If you have any other questions let me know!

Would ceramic tile work? I decided that I'm not going to grout the files at all, and just put a cut-to-size dog potty pad under the tile that has their litter pan on it. I'd also check and wipe up any urine 3 times a dsy.

mjricha · Jan 14, 2020

Zahrii said:
Would ceramic tile work? I decided that I'm not going to grout the files at all, and just put a cut-to-size dog potty pad under the tile that has their litter pan on it. I'd also check and wipe up any urine 3 times a dsy.

Ceramic would work but you're still going to run into the urine getting soaked into the bottom of the tiles issue. If this is what you want to do just get the cheapest tile possible (they usually have white 12x12 at home Depot for less than a dollar a piece) and replace them every once in a while.

Zahrii · Jan 14, 2020

mjricha said:
Ceramic would work but you're still going to run into the urine getting soaked into the bottom of the tiles issue. If this is what you want to do just get the cheapest tile possible (they usually have white 12x12 at home Depot for less than a dollar a piece) and replace them every once in a while.

Yeah, that would work. I got a set at Lowe's for $6 and I'll probably have spares. How often should I replace the tile?