Cracks in travertine flooring?

[julesmarket]

We had a lovely travertine floor laid throughout our new kitchen and into the conservatory. (50 sq metres!) It was finished about three weeks ago.
Unfortunately we have now discovered about five tiles that have cracks appearing in them. One crack - at the conservatory end starts in the grouting near the patio doors and then runs through three tiles (& some grouting) - it seems to be snaking its way along??? Eeek:yikes:

Then today I noticed a crack in a tile at the kitchen end and a corner crack on another tile?
The conservatory end was laid on a brand new concrete screeded floor and the kitchen end was laid on old tiles which just WOULDN't come up.
The builder has assured us that he used the correct adhesive for both ends. We spent quite a lot of money and went for good quality tiles as we had heard the problems with the cheaper ones and now this has happened.
The floor looks superb and the builder is coming back - but I am not sure that replacing the tiles is the answer?
The builder was very good and took a lot of trouble laying them, cleaning, sealing etc etc.
We have also spoken to the supplier who has confirmed it is unusual?
ANY help/advice would really be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[Deleted member 9966]

hi Jules

How long had the floor screed been in place before the tiles were laid? And how thick was the screed when it was laid?

 

[Dan]

It does sound like a substrate problem. I'd guess spot fixing / dot and dabbing if the crack didn't run through so many tiles but as it does it suggests a crack in the subfloor which has come through to the surface.

I'd pull up the offending tiles to see if you can trace the crack to the floor.

Can you take any pictures for us by chance?

 

[enduro]

As Dan said take a tile up and see if the substrate has cracked. Have you got underfloor heating?

 

[Ajax123]

What substrate is it. How long was it down prior to tiling and is there underfloor heting. Was this comisioned and run up to temperature before tiling. Are there appropriate joints in the substrate and thele face. Was the heating un up slowly following tiling and how long afterwards.

Lots of questions to b answered before repairs should be done. I agree probably a substrate issue but that needs to be diagnosed before repairs can be effective

 

[doddy41]

Hi do you know if the builder laid ditra mat on the screed before tiling as this is a must when using travertine

 

[ssharpe]

as above,doddys right. i have laid these in the past on concrete and they have cracked aswell in areas. i now use ditra matting when laying trav or natural cut stone on any job. its expensive around 500 quid a roll but its needed.
its a decoupling matting and acts like a shock absorber so any slight movement or shrinkage it will stop the stone cracking down the veins.

scott

 

[DHTiling]

500 quid a roll// :lol:.... you need to change supplier.. 🙂

 

[Olz]

I can supply it to you for £450 a roll


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[DHTiling]

I can supply it to you for £450 a roll


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I'll do it for £440.00