Thin-set mortar is generally what the pros use to install tile and stone, but as Mike Holmes' daughter, Sherry Holmes, advises on the Make It Right website, there's more to it than just popping ...

The big problem with installing tile--even with the small jobs--is the unevenness of the surface (counter top, wall, ceiling or floor) to which the tile is going to be applied.

The mortar sits, on average, about 1 inch below the existing finished floors. What would you do at this point? How would you deal with this wretched concrete mess?

Step 3: Mix only as much thinset mortar as you can cover with tile in about 15 to 20 minutes for the best results. Never add more water to thinset that's getting hard in the bucket.