Advice re cracking wall and floor tiles

[Mct_124]

I have 2 issues. 1. bathroom wall tiles grout cracking and hairline cracks across tiles 2. Kitchen floor tiles and wall tiles cracked. I have had a structural engineer in who stated no foundation issues. I live on busy main road causing periodic vibration through house. Can vibration cause these issues? To explain in both locations floor and wall tiles have hairline cracks which run in almost a continuous wave through tile and grout mainly horizontal but a few random vertical cracks on bathroom wall tiles.The bathroom wall cracks are random but significant areas of concern supporting wall and around tiled window cill. Kitchen wall tiles thus far are only cracked on window cill. KItchen floor tiles cracked continuous wave horizontally running across from one wall to other. The work is less than a year old in the bathroom and six months in kitchen. Same contractor did both. I have approached him to come and look at issues. Assuming that my substrate is moving significant enough to crack the tiles but not significant enough to be deemed structural how do I go about choosing and installing tiles that will withstand these issues. I have plenty of pictures to highlight issues if someone can advise me how to post them on this forum. Any advice would be greatly welcomed. IT brings tears to my eyes to think of the money spent and the end product. Thank you claire

 

[peteablard]

If you click the little picture frame on the tool bar it will allow you to insert some pics which would be helpful. What type of floor is under the tiles?

 

[AMtek]

I would say you will probably find that the wall tiles are dot and dabbed and they have overlaid the floor with 6mm ply. A sweeping statement without knowing anything about the substrate etc. but more often than not these are the cause of failures

 

[beanz]

If the tiles are cracking, you have movement in the substrate. Really we need more info on fixing methods/substrates, but just changing the tiles won't help i'm afraid.. Have all the cracks (bathroom & Kitchen) appeared around the same time?

 

[Mct_124]

Attached are various pictures of the work and issues as outlined in my original post. I will try to describe the work done but bear with me as a girl I'm no DIY expert.

1. Kitchen floor

Unf I dont have a picture of the subfloor being prepared. Attached is a picture of the original floor.




If memory serves all of the floor boards were screwed down and then a wire mesh and adhesive was laid on to which the tiles were put down.

These are the pictures of the cracks on the floor that have appeared. Hopefully you can see them. They travel across the tiles from one wall to the other. I assume the subfloor prep was incorrect?

 

[Mct_124]

2. Kitchen Window Cill


Firstly 2 pics of the window cill preparation



These are the cracks that are appearing again running through multiple tile across the window cill. Hopefully you can see them as it is difficult to capture the crack on cream glazed tiles.

 

[Mct_124]

3. Bathroom Tiles

Here is a picture of the bathroom preparation



I believe the walls were plaster boarded and this was plastered and the the tiles attached using adhesive.

Here are the cracks and grout cracks that are appearing.

 

[Mct_124]

Hopefully the pictures I have posted shed some light into the work undertaken. I'm looking for advice re how best to go about repairs. Please help.

Thanks

Claire

 

[Gazzer]

3. Bathroom Tiles

Here is a picture of the bathroom preparation

View attachment 49142

I believe the walls were plaster boarded and this was plastered and the the tiles attached using adhesive.

Here are the cracks and grout cracks that are appearing.View attachment 49143View attachment 49144

Tiled direct on to bonding plaster ?

 

[Mct_124]

3. Bathroom tiles

Bathroom tile preparation included plasterboards and skim as seen in picture below


The cracks that appearing in the tile and grout