Limestone tile cracking disaster on UFH

[Dougs Third Go]

Hi Widler, it is Opera honed from Artisans 600x600

10 years ago your error is somewhat understandable but today ???

Our system was pressure tested (though I am certain not properly) prior to tiling but not commisioned becuase the bldr was so disorganised when the tiler came there was no boiler for him to test it with!!
You say you filled the cracks for your friend but they got worse. My question, which nobody has answered directly is... should we could we do the same OR does just filling them risk more cracking than we would get if we retrospectively created as many expansion joints as we can in suitable locations - down the middle of the main room & across thresholds etc? Won't hold you to it obviously - appreciate it's not an exact science & nobody can really say what will or might happen!!
Here's some more pics
View attachment 60318View attachment 60319

if you fill them the same will happen as floor expands, when floor contracts back the tiles will probably de-bond and heave (tent-up), if not in the same place, elsewhere imo

 

[Dave]

Just to add to dougs post above , we like to advise a fix for a certain problem and not a bonny up solution , the cracks at present will not accept grout to disguise some what , so maybe you'll have to live with what you have for now , you could also be looking at more than just cracks in the coming months if they tent.

many thanks for sharing your project and I hope you find a solution.

 

[splas]

Thank you, understood.

 

[Diggy]

Out of interest did you get in writing that the builder had said it would be ok to tile , uncommissioned?

Diggy

 

[gamma38]

Where abouts are you splas. If your near enough to me i would be keen to come have a look. I am based in Bedford.

 

[splas]

Hi Paul,
Interesting that you should get in touch as I have looked at your site previously as you are not that far awayfrom us - I had already looked at your web-site with a view to getting in touch for the remaining tiling should our bldr not finish the job.
I will call you tomorrow & speak more off-line.
Thanks

 

[gamma38]

Hi Paul,
Interesting that you should get in touch as I have looked at your site previously as you are not that far awayfrom us - I had already looked at your web-site with a view to getting in touch for the remaining tiling should our bldr not finish the job.
I will call you tomorrow & speak more off-line.
Thanks

No worries, I look forward to speaking with you.

 

[jonnyc]

Not been on site for ages so only just picked up on this thread. Seems that you are in a position where you need to try something. I have been called in numerous times to try and rectify same problem as this.very common where windows go in after screed laid and builder fills in later. What I usually do and can never guarantee but does often work is remove tile s that bridge two substrates wher the isa crack.remove the bedding adhesive. Cut through join between two substrates and gun a two part resin to bond substrates together . Over lay with ditra mat if you have enough depth or if not a 1mm separating membrane like pecilastic or trimline similar membrane . Ideally than bed stone in rubber crumb adhesive which is most flex on market far more so than a s2 adhesive.provided the susfloor has been down for six months say and heating commissioned and working that long you havea good chance but not guaranteed.i am nota pro but have fixed a few thousand limestone floors over 25 years and it can work .what I should add is that where you have problem in middle of floor if you resin bond the opened up join you could force another crack to appear elsewhere less likely near perimeter of floor .

 

[splas]

Hi John,
A really helpful reply, thank you.
The builder is already progressing with cutting across all door thresholds to form retrospective expansion joints. We haven't tackled the one down the middle of the room yet but intend putting an expansion joint there too - just a shame that it is so close to a tile join anyway so we will have a tram line in the midle of the room but no choice as filling could just force the movement elsewhere as you suggest.

Helpful suggestion on the window/door areas where there are two substrates - you don't find that putting ditri matting in an isolated area could also force the movement elsewhere?? I only ask because across one doorway (the last one the tiller laid), we did put ditra mat in just across the threshold (realising the potential issue albeit somewhat too late), but this has had the effect of forcing the crack to appear beyond the threshold & matting strip. Just a thought, could be acoincidence but made us think small areas of mat were not helpful ? Grateful for your thoughts.

 

[jonnyc]

ditra mat wont stop lateral movement only accomodate it to a degree.I very much doubt that the fact you put ditra under a tile forced a crack elsewhere. did the tile crack that was on top of matting. did tiler use ruberised adhesive . by all means give mea call.you can find mynumber on my website