Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Concrete Substrate Slab Debonding Tile Expert Answers failures Hollow Sounding Tiles Moisture Problems Movement Joints Tenting

Can moisture in a Concrete Floor cause the Thin-set Adhesive to Deteriorate and result in Hollow and Tented Tiles?

ANSWER - Thin-set mortars should not deteriorate from being exposed to moisture.  Most thin-set mortars are used in showers and in pools and fountains. Moisture that migrates into the concrete slab from the ground and…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cracks Expert Answers Hollow Sounding Tiles Repairs

How do I keep the Hairline Cracks in my Ceramic Tiles from Getting Worse?

ANSWER - Normally when there are hairline cracks going continuously through a number of tiles including the grout joint, it suggests that there might be a crack i the substrate below it that is telegraphing…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Hollow Sounding Tiles Repairs stone

How do you repair hollow sounding tiles?

ANSWER - Hollow sounding tiles is not a defect per se.  Depending on the substrate and installation materials and methods being used the tile can have a hollow sound without anything being wrong. On the…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Debonding Tile Expert Answers failures Hollow Sounding Tiles installation Repairs

What can I do about my failed tile floor in the home I bought 1 year ago?

ANSWER - It sounds as though your tile installation has failed and is debonding. It is likely due to compounding deficiencies in how it was installed. The substrate may have not been properly prepared. The tile…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Debonding Tile Expert Answers failures Hollow Sounding Tiles Tenting

What caused our tiles to Tent and become Hollow Sounding?

ANSWER -  When tiles tent/buckle up it is normally due to the combination of lack of resilient movement joints and due to the tile not being bonded as well as it should. Movement joints are…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Hollow Sounding Tiles Repairs Waterproofing Wet Areas

How do I make Repairs on Schulter Ditra Mat?

ANSWER -  First of all having tiles that sound hollow is not a defect in itself.  Normally when tiles are installed over a membrane of some sort; like Ditra it will cause hollow sounds because…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cracks Debonding Tile Expert Answers failures Grout Hollow Sounding Tiles

What has caused some tiles in my Ceramic Tile Floor to become Hollow Sounding and the Grout To Crack?

ANSWER -  Hollow sounds  on a ceramic tile isn't a defect in itself, but it can be a symptom of a defect depending on the circumstances.   If portions of a tile is hollow sounding or…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers failures Grout Hollow Sounding Tiles installation Repairs

Why do I have loose Grout and Hollow Tiles?

ANSWER - Even though the tile floor was installed 15 years ago, if it was installed correctly it should not have loose grout; unless it was abused in some way.  I am assuming that these…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Concrete Substrate Slab Expert Answers Flood Grout Hollow Sounding Tiles Insurance Claim

Was my Ceramic Tile Damaged Due to Water Loss? And Why did the Insurance Company Deny the Claim?

ANSWER -  If the tile was installed correctly, it should not be harmed by a flood caused by a water heater failure.  There is no way the water could have migrated 10-15 feet below the…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Hollow Sounding Tiles Spot Bonding Standards Thin-set Coverage/Contact

What are the Standards for Thin-set Adhesive Coverage/Contact for Ceramic Tile?

ANSWER - First of all, per industry standards hollow sounding tiles are not considered a defect per-se.  Although a hollow sounding tile, or a portion of a tile sounding hollow, can possibly be a symptom…

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