I'm sick!!! Just laid a new ceramic tile floor in my bathroom. Thought I did everything according to Hoyle. But horror of horrors, while I was grouting I found a cracked tile. Maybe I should have asked this question before I bought the tile, but can all tiles be laid on floor or wall? Are there any minimum thicknesses for floor tile? The tiles are 6" X 6" with cut corners that when four are put together form a space for a diamond shape tile inset. I used concrete backer that I "Liquid Nailed" and screwed to the sub-floor. I used a 3/8" trowel to put down the thin set. I allowed about 40 hours of curing time (for the thin set) before I started to grout. What did I do wrong? Any suggestions for replacing the cracked tile. My plan is to use my Dremel tool and cut it out, then reset a new tile with more thinset. Any pitfalls I need to look out for when replacing the tile. Could a screw be sticking up a little? Can't figure it out. Unless the tile is not suited for floor application, in which case, boy am I in trouble. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

It may be a screw. It sounds like you have it well in hand! Although I would have recommended thinset under the CBU's.

 

Yes, there is a difference between floor tile and wall tile. If you have any doubts as to what you have, then ask at the place where you bought it.

 

Why did you not secure your CBU with thinset instead of liquid nails . Possible flexibility. You should set your cement board over a layer of thinset .

 

There was a gentleman in Lowes while I was buying my supplies who was identified to me by the Lowes Staff as an "expert floor man." He suggested to me that liquid nails under the Hardi backer was an acceptable substitute for using thinset. Also the guys at Lowes (where I bought the tile) knew I was buying for a floor application. But hey, not everybody I've run into at Lowes is equal when it comes to experience and good advice. Well, if it's not floor tile it's too late now. Live and Learn. Thanks for the responses gentlemen.

ELS

 

Someone only understands half the reason for the thinset under the backer. It does hold it down, a minor issue. It fills in any slight irregularities and ensures that the backer is fully supported and does not flex under load. The major issue.