Tile Floor Is Cracking

However cracks wider than 1 8 inch will eventually transfer to the tile it.

Tile floor is cracking.

If you suspect foundation. In many cases cracked tile floors are signs of foundation issues. Although cracks sometimes indicate serious structural issues they re often a symptom of superficial damage. In far more instances the crack was caused by anomalies under or around the tile.

Cracked floor tiles aren t cause for immediate panic. No one wants to live with a damaged tile floor not only are damaged tile floors unattractive but they can also decrease the value of your home. You may be able to patch a hairline crack but a bigger break will need a replacement tile. Ceramic floor tiles especially larger tiles need an even distribution of mortar underneath them.

To discover the cause of your tile s crack you ll need to carefully inspect the crack s size and pattern. In damp areas such as the bathroom repairing cracked tile should be done sooner rather than later to reduce the risk of water damage. In a case where cracking is minimal or has occurred in only a small number of tiles and or the floor is in a location where aesthetics don t matter to you the easiest most inexpensive solution is diy patching. Tiles provide a durable covering for floors walls and backsplashes.

As a general rule tiles larger than 12x12 inches should have mortar applied to the back of the tile as well as the floor to help ensure adequate coverage. It s possible that soil movement or water has caused your foundation to shift move or even be pushed in an upward direction. Generally hairline cracks in the concrete will not present an issue to the tile floor above. In many cases the crack is not the result of an inferior tile.

While most types of tile can handle a lot of abuse they are not indestructible and hairline cracks may occur. This guide outlines how to fix cracked tile or if necessary remove and replace broken tile on your floor. Voids in the mortar under the tile allow the tile to flex and crack. Sometimes hairline cracks in tile floors are one of the first tell tale indications that soil or moisture is affecting a foundation.

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.