Uneven Wall Keeps Cracking Tile During Installation

The weight of a large format stone tile can cause it to sag or slip during installation on the wall.

Uneven wall keeps cracking tile during installation.

If the substrate the floor tiles are being installed on is uneven but structurally sound a. If they are too thin the tiles won t have enough room to expand and contract causing cracking. Repeat the process for the rest of the installation and. Because the tile is cracked and the tile is the only visible portion of the installation sandwich of mortar and substrate most homeowners assume that the tile is at fault.

Tiles laid over existing cracks usually crack due to uneven floor movement along the tile. The wedge will pull the tiles together and create a smooth straight installation evening out any bumps or jogs caused by the uneven wall. We did not want to simply pull up and then reset the tile for two reasons. First we might crack tiles and the customer did not have any replacements.

But it is possible that you or a previous owner has installed sub standard tiles. If you put a 48 straight edge up against the most sunken areas there s a gap of almost a 1 2. This membrane bonds to the concrete floor and then bonds to the tile. But other factors matter too.

Incorrect shower floor bases incorrect tile substrates and incorrect installation methods. The floorelf posts photos of failed tile installations and the problems that caused them. These are the spaces left between the tiles during installation which are grouted afterward. So the only reliable way to know that the bed is thick enough is to set the first few tiles then immediately pry them up.

Second the floor heating system could be damaged during the repair process. Gravity is the primary challenge. There is also a spot near the window trim where the wall appears to be built up too much enough so that the tile could end up proud of the trim which i m pretty sure won t look so hot. As the chart shows larger tiles require larger trowel notches to provide a thicker bed.

Usually this is not the case. To counter this apply an uncoupling membrane to the concrete before the tile is installed. Installers also face a variety of challenges with large format wall tile. The problem is that the wall is uneven.

These joints are there to absorb pressure from shifting tiles. Tile laying tricks for uneven surfaces floor leveling compound. Here are some common areas of concern. Some one step mortars will isolate cracks up to 1 8 inch wide.

Back buttering is a trick used for tiles of uneven thickness like ungauged slate or handmade tiles.