Grout keeps cracking on new tile floor installation

[johnryan]

this is from BS 5385 that deals with wooden substrates;

6.2.4.2 Sheets and boards
Sheets and boards include the materials listed in 6.1.2.6, except
plasterboards; sheets or boards should be adequately braced to
provide a rigid surface, be free from any springiness and surface
undulations and undergo no subsequent distortion during and after
completion of the tiling. Wherever possible, the boards should be
screwed, not nailed, to the supporting framework.
In general, where the sheet or board has a smooth and a rough side,
the latter should be used for tiling. The surface to receive the tiles
should be clean and free from dust and other forms of
contamination.
The use of sheets and boards that are subject to movement from
changes in moisture content, e.g. wood-based materials such as
plywood, chipboard, wood particle boards, etc., should be avoided if
at all possible. If such boards have to be used, they should be
restricted to small areas and tiles should not bridge joints between
boards. All exposed edges and the backs, but not the faces, of such
boards should be sealed with a suitable sealer to prevent distortion
by atmospheric humidity changes. Care should be taken to ensure
such boards are not installed in a condition where their moisture
content is higher than the ambient equilibrium moisture content
once the tiled installation is in use; failure to observe this can lead to
subsequent warping and distortion of the boards with consequent
cracking and delamination of the tiling.
you can refer to this when you next speak to your builder. cheers.

john

 

[Bexstarr]

This is excellent. Thank you John!!

 

[Bexstarr]

One last thing John, do you have an extract that stipulates the 15mm minimum requirement - or will I find it in the BS 5385 document? I'm trying to find a copy that I don't have to pay for.

Jees, didn't realise you have to PAY for standards. I would have thought that information would be free!

 

[mz30]

Hi Bex ,from looking at the photos ,regardless of using top grade grout if they did, the tiles look loose ,the best grout in the world wouldn't be able to sort that,so what you have too look at is getting the lot taken up and redone properly, re-grouting is not going to sort out the problem.

Who done the prep work ? the builder or the tiler ? or where they one in the same?.
Unfortunately it appears there is no quick fix am afraid.

 

[Bexstarr]

Hi mz30

Alas, I think I had already resigned myself to that fact (that it would have to be redone). The builder and tiler were the one and same.

When I spoke to him on the phone, he was rather dismissive, and said that if it cracked again, then there is nothing that they can really do. However, it appears that he did a substandard job.

What is frustrating is that it is not as if I tried to do it on the cheap. I paid around the £6k mark for this blooming bathroom!!! <sigh>

 

[cam_low]

Crikey.

"Builders build. Tilers tile."

 

[mz30]

The thing is bex is the fact that they done all the work so he is responsible for prep, he cant blame the substrate as it was his job to make sure it was sound before he tiled it, dont let him fob you off,i'll guarantee if you put a suction cup on one of those floor tiles they will lift straight out as it appears the grout is the only thing holding them in place,where in the uk are you am sure one of the lads off the forum local too you ,would pop round and give you advice.

 

[CJ]

It does look like the builder isn't going to accept that it's HIS fault. So if that is the case.......(he'll mess about and give various excuses) you have 2 options.

1. Bite the bullet and get it done right, by someone who knows wot he's doing, but you pay for it.

2. Take legal action against the builder, then get it put right. Will take longer though.

 

[Bexstarr]

That would be amazing if they could. I am based in Luton, Bedfordshire. I'd be happy to pay someone to come out and give me their professional opinion.

Like I said, I would much rather a professional tiler redo the work. I plan on calling this guy, telling him my findings, and see what he says (although I can guarantee he will try and fob me off). I will then politely inform him to expect a letter from myself. In the letter, I will state my findings, with the required literature, and then specify a date in which I wish the work to be complete. I intend to include a quote from someone else, and if they cannot complete the work in the time specified, then they will be billed for the cost of redoing by this other professional (this is all inline with Consumer Rights - the process to follow as defined by them).

The company was actually based in luton, but they moved up north (a good few hours drive away). I also know that he is apparently fully booked for the next several months.

So in conclusion, if anyone else, local to me (bedfordshire Hertfordshire) is happy to come and look, there could be an additional job in it for them. Preferably to be complete before Crimbo!

 

[Bexstarr]

Definitely option 2!! As much as I want it done now, I am not prepared to be out of pocket for someone else's incompetence. He's just hoping that I will do the former, hence why I cannot let this buffoon get away with it! But I'm feeling a lot more positive now that I have had all your feedback. At least I now know that I am in the right!

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your help on this matter!