Help please - Knocking tiles, crumbly adhesive and tiles coming up in one piece

KellyAnneM · Nov 26, 2020

Hi Everyone, I'm new here and was really hoping for some professional advice. I bought a new build 21 months ago. Within a couple of months we noticed hollow tiles that knocked and tapped when walked on. After 18 months the builder finally agreed to redo a number of the tiles for us as a gesture of goodwill. The tiles themselves Marazzi Treverkever 20x120 cm came up in one or two pieces and were totally clean on the back of the tile. The Adhesive left on the floor was so brittle and crumbly I could remove much of it with my fingers. We have had recommendations to go to TTA but we simply cannot afford it for the area we would need looked at. The builder is adamant there wasn't a fault with the floor even thought the tilers on site admitted they believe it wasn't primed. Not all of the floor has been done and I am now concerned about those areas left. I have attached a couple of photos that show the tiles came up clean for reference. Would really appreciate any tips/advice/pointers I have no idea where to go from here when the builders are refusing to admit there was a problem. Thank you in advance!

Wayne_Phipps · Nov 26, 2020

Hi,

There does not appear to be much contact between the tile adhesive and the reverse of the tiles in the pictures you have provided, as you can still see the serrated edges of the tile adhesive.

With tiles that size you would often expect back buttering of the tiles to allow for a full coverage and contact with the adhesive. What can often exaggerate the effect is allowing the adhesive to skin over prior to fixing the tiles (exceeding the open time)

The adhesive looks hard and well formed, the brittleness could be due to the emulsifying effect of the loose tiles being walked on.

You can ask most of the reputable adhesive companies to attend site and offer a report based on their investigation, so you could ask the builder what products he used and try that route.

Good Luck

KellyAnneM · Nov 26, 2020

Wayne_Phipps said:
Hi,

There does not appear to be much contact between the tile adhesive and the reverse of the tiles in the pictures you have provided, as you can still see the serrated edges of the tile adhesive.

With tiles that size you would often expect back buttering of the tiles to allow for a full coverage and contact with the adhesive. What can often exaggerate the effect is allowing the adhesive to skin over prior to fixing the tiles (exceeding the open time)

The adhesive looks hard and well formed, the brittleness could be due to the emulsifying effect of the loose tiles being walked on.

You can ask most of the reputable adhesive companies to attend site and offer a report based on their investigation, so you could ask the builder what products he used and try that route.

Good Luck

Thank you, yes the tilers admitted they didn't butter the backs of the tiles up until a year ago and ours was obviously laid before. Good tip on speaking with an adhesive company will give that a go.

Help please - Knocking tiles, crumbly adhesive and tiles coming up in one piece

KellyAnneM

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Wayne_Phipps

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KellyAnneM

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