Cracking tiles.

[wivers]

I just went to a house to see a job that came in. The lady said that she wasn't sure if she needed her whole bathroom tiled or if the tiles that where on could be chipped out and replaced. There where six tiles in the shower area that had a hairline crack runing right through the middle of them left to right. I'm not quite sure what causes this? I have a rough idea that its movement from the substrait which i belive was plaster board. Can anyone confirm this?

Also their grout had cracked all over the place, i know that if you use an unflexible grout on wood etc this happens, but how does it happen in the middle of the tiling on solid wall?

 

[Leatherface]

Hi mate - it is very likely that if there are hairline cracks in the shower area, then excess moisture will have seeped through onto the substrate behind - If so all the tiles would best be removed & the walls allowed to dry out, if plaster - or if plasterboard, then this will have to be replaced. Advise tanking before setting of new tiles.
Sorry have no idea about cracked grout.

 

[wivers]

Thanks. Would all tiles have to be removed also if only a few have blown?

 

[Leatherface]

I would recommend it - you could end up with a nightmare patching up job otherwise

 

[Concept PHT]

If its on a stud partition, then I would tend to think there has been some kind of impact on the tiles in the past(slipped in the shower etc...), and then water has seaped in.

Remove them, re board and tank if not using aquaboard.

 

[Dan]

Ye, I agree. I wouldn't bother patching up, it'll be your fault they've blown again if they do, which they probably will without really fixing the problem, which quite rightly as you suggested is more than likely the substrate failing somehow.

Upsell yourself and suggest you correct this problem long-term with methods and materials available now that were not when it was once done. Assuming the tiles have been on for some time?!

 

[wivers]

Yea i belive the tiles have been on for around 7 years so its along time. I did suggest the re tiling the whole thing option like you say, but the customer didn't seem too keen, strange how some people whould rather try for a bodge it patch work job just to save a few quid.

 

[wivers]

I did say also that if i was to take on the job i wouldn't be prepared to garentee any of the work due to the fact that i'm trying to repair other peoples work and am not entirely convinced that they will not blow again in the future, so if she comes back to me now at least i've covered myself... i hope?

 

[Leatherface]

Aye !!

 

[Concept PHT]

Thats bang on mate. Otherwise your leaving yourself open for a complete nightmare....