Ceramic Tile Installation Problem
#1
07-02-05, 12:31 PM
Ceramic Tile Installation Problem
Hello,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! If possible, could someone professional respond to the following case scenerio?
PROBLEM:
WE INSTALLED TWO CERAMIC TILE FLOORS. THEY HAVE BOTH DEVELOPED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS:
1. THE GROUT IS CRACKING
2. THE TILES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE MORTAR BED (POOR OR NO ADHERENCE TO MORTAR)
EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE INSTALLATION :
(ANY FEEDBACK YOU COULD GIVE US AS TO WHETHER THE FOLLOWING MAY HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEMS - OR WHAT DID -- WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED ! )
1. WE HAVE LIMITED CERAMIC TILE INSTALLATION EXPERIENCE. (WE’RE NOT PROFESSIONALS)
2. WE DROPPED THE TILES INTO A BED OF MORTAR ON CONCRETE BACKBOARD.
3. WE LATER READ ON THE BAG THAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO PUT A SKIM COAT OF MORTAR ON THE BACK OF THE TILES BEFORE DROPPING THEM IN THE BED OF MORTAR. . (WE DIDN’T DO THIS)
4. THE INSTALLATION TOOK PLACE DURING A VERY COLD STRETCH OF WEATHER. THE MORTAR AND GROUT WERE MIXED IN A
15-20 DEGREE GARAGE.
5. THE TILES THEMSELVES WERE STORED IN THE SAME 15-20 DEGREE GARAGE. THEY MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ROOM TEMPERATURE WHEN INSTALLED.
6. THE ROOMS WHERE THE INSTALLATIONS TOOK PLACE WERE BOTH INTERIOR ROOMS.
FINALLY, HOW WOULD WE GO ABOUT REPAIRING THE FLOORS? SHOULD WE POP UP AND REPAIR AS MANY TILES AS POSSIBLE - OR IS SOMETHING ELSE REQUIRED? WE’RE NOT LOOKING FOR ANY SHORT CUTS. WE WANT THE FLOORS TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE. THANKS AGAIN!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! If possible, could someone professional respond to the following case scenerio?
PROBLEM:
WE INSTALLED TWO CERAMIC TILE FLOORS. THEY HAVE BOTH DEVELOPED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS:
1. THE GROUT IS CRACKING
2. THE TILES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE MORTAR BED (POOR OR NO ADHERENCE TO MORTAR)
EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE INSTALLATION :
(ANY FEEDBACK YOU COULD GIVE US AS TO WHETHER THE FOLLOWING MAY HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEMS - OR WHAT DID -- WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED ! )
1. WE HAVE LIMITED CERAMIC TILE INSTALLATION EXPERIENCE. (WE’RE NOT PROFESSIONALS)
2. WE DROPPED THE TILES INTO A BED OF MORTAR ON CONCRETE BACKBOARD.
3. WE LATER READ ON THE BAG THAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO PUT A SKIM COAT OF MORTAR ON THE BACK OF THE TILES BEFORE DROPPING THEM IN THE BED OF MORTAR. . (WE DIDN’T DO THIS)
4. THE INSTALLATION TOOK PLACE DURING A VERY COLD STRETCH OF WEATHER. THE MORTAR AND GROUT WERE MIXED IN A
15-20 DEGREE GARAGE.
5. THE TILES THEMSELVES WERE STORED IN THE SAME 15-20 DEGREE GARAGE. THEY MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ROOM TEMPERATURE WHEN INSTALLED.
6. THE ROOMS WHERE THE INSTALLATIONS TOOK PLACE WERE BOTH INTERIOR ROOMS.
FINALLY, HOW WOULD WE GO ABOUT REPAIRING THE FLOORS? SHOULD WE POP UP AND REPAIR AS MANY TILES AS POSSIBLE - OR IS SOMETHING ELSE REQUIRED? WE’RE NOT LOOKING FOR ANY SHORT CUTS. WE WANT THE FLOORS TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE. THANKS AGAIN!
#2
07-02-05, 01:58 PM
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Location: Ocean Grove, NJ
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The cold is definitely a contributing factor. Everything should have been brought up to at least 55 degrees for two days prior to installing. The cold slows down the setting ability of the thinset. What kind of thinset did you use, did it have a latex or polymer additive in it?
Not being able to see the job there may be other things going on as well. Did you set the cement board in a bed of thinset, was it nailed or screwed every 6 to 8"? What is under the cement board, what kind of plywood and how thick are the sheets? May have more questions depending on your answers.
Not being able to see the job there may be other things going on as well. Did you set the cement board in a bed of thinset, was it nailed or screwed every 6 to 8"? What is under the cement board, what kind of plywood and how thick are the sheets? May have more questions depending on your answers.
