Tiles Cracking On Concrete Floor

Let the primer dry and then apply the membrane photos 3 and 4.

Tiles cracking on concrete floor. Then prime the concrete see photo 2 with the recommended solution consult the membrane manufacturer s literature. If you attach the tile to concrete you need to take special precautions by uncoupling the tile from the concrete. Generally hairline cracks in the concrete will not present an issue to the tile floor above. Cracks are nothing out of the ordinary.

However cracks wider than 1 8 inch will eventually transfer to the tile it notes. Rather than using cement boards cbus the favored method is to use an uncoupling membrane. Tile s concrete substrate has cracked over time it is not unusual for concrete basement floors driveways or patios to have a long crack or two running through them especially if the concrete is several years old. Tiles laid over existing cracks usually crack due to uneven floor movement along the tile.

This will prevent formation of cracks in the concrete which lead to reflective cracking of the tile. Wearing rubber gloves to protect. Finally tile floors installed over a concrete subfloor are the most susceptible to cracking because the concrete itself is prone to cracking the geeksonhome article states. Cracks mean movement and a tile floor isn t meant to.

The first thing to do is add steel and fibers to the concrete slab. Tile installed directly on concrete floors will mirror any cracks in the floor. For small narrow cracks that do not show signs of moisture use concrete filler which can be purchased in a tube in vinyl epoxy or latex to fill the crack. In some cases i ve seen cracks that are almost 1 4 in.

A tile floor is only as strong and as stable as the subfloor on which it is installed. You can prevent cracks in ceramic tile that is laid over concrete in any number of ways. Once a tile is cemented in place with mortar if the floor cracks that crack will radiate up through the tile. For a concrete subfloor the most effective thing to do is add steel reinforcing bars when the concrete slab is poured.

More than almost any other type of floor covering tile needs a rock solid base. Cracks in a concrete slab are a problem that i run into frequently. Cracks in concrete are a sign of a structural problem. Take these precautions to prevent tile cracking in the future.

Tom meehan a tile installer and owner of cape cod tileworks in harwich massachusetts replies. While these materials will not insure a crack free slab they will hold the concrete together such that small harmless hairline cracks occur instead of cracks in excess of 1 8 inch or more. Even though concrete seems like the perfect substrate for tile it carries its own unique set off problems.