Movement & Expansion Joints

[charlie1]

I only ever used an expansion joint once on a recent job and placed one every 5m. What i did was replace grout with matching Silicon. 5mm joint

 

[Branty]

Also, just because there is not an expansion joint in the screed, this doesn't mean you won't need one in the tile field.
If a tile area is large enough, it will have enough thermal expansion and contraction of its own to cause tiles to de-bond.

 

[TilingLogistics]

Today I think there are more and more failures because not only are there new screeds involved, areas being tiled are larger than years ago add large format tiles to the equation and I think you are asking for trouble.

I used to talk people into Ditra and was knocked for it by other fixers because they felt I was pushing the installation cost up for the client. In truth it was belt and braces everytime, just like tanking IMO. Be safe rather than sorry.

Kev

 

[andersontiling]

you will see here the schluter aksn movement joints are every 5mm .plan before hand and tell the contractor to saw cut the slab to accomodate the tile grid.easy to work out dont forget your joints and the expansion itself

 

[andy-p]

how do the spaniards/greeks manage without expansion joints ?? quality hotel i was staying in tenerife last year had 100,s of m2 of large format marble everywhere , virtually tight jointed and not an expansion joint anywhere, the floors were perfect no cracks or lifting at all . you think with the heat there would be a lot of expanding and contractions , same scenario at a greek airport i was at this year, do they know something we dont??

 

[grumpygrouter]

how do the spaniards/greeks manage without expansion joints ?? quality hotel i was staying in tenerife last year had 100,s of m2 of large format marble everywhere , virtually tight jointed and not an expansion joint anywhere, the floors were perfect no cracks or lifting at all . you think with the heat there would be a lot of expanding and contractions , same scenario at a greek airport i was at this year, do they know something we dont??

Decoupling membranes?

 

[DHTiling]

I lflew to rhodes airport and it has been revamped...expansion joints everywhere....recently just been to palma airport and they are repairing loads of tiling due to cracking etc......and yes they have expansion joints....( Silicon ) most of them apart from rhodes where they were pre-made type...

Also there temperatures don't fluctuate like ours do and our sub-floors are different in structure...poly base with screed overlays etc etc......but on another note these are BS Standards and not spanish/greek etc standards aren't they......

 

[TilingLogistics]

The Spanish tend to sink their joints using a type of foam rubber. I tried this earlier this year on an 90M2 installation I put right that had been installed without EJ's and it worked very well.

Kev

 

[Dave Ramsden]

Ive used them in the past on the big H&M stores. 600x600m tiles with 2mm joints.
Will be using them again in the coming weeks and to the correct requirements due to info found on this forum.

Tahnks guys!

 

[A11CTU]

Hi Guys first post, regarding expansion joints. You MUST always follow expansion joints no matter what anyone else tells you. It allows the "indivdual" areas to move with the stress and settlement of the building.It allows the floor to "float" and move freely without stress. Also temperature change in certain countries.Regarding what type is dependent on the project and the finish required by the client. I always use schulter or a polysulfide with a foam back fill. In germany we had to leave a 5mm joint to all internal corners as well as to the joint were the walls and floors meet. If you need to know how to Silicon to a PERFECT finish let me know.:yes:

 

[handyrabbit]

Hi A11CTU! how do you Silicon to a PERFECT finish??

whats your top tips and method??

i'm always open to new ideas and learn something new!

cheers:8:

 

[A11CTU]

Hello Handy Rabbit, well I could not Silicon to save my life. Tried masking tape / lick the old finger you name it, until I worked in Germany. The secret is FAIRY LIQUID and a spray bottle. Try this!!!!! Fill a spray bottle with an inch of FAIRY LIQUID in the bottom. Top up with water and shake.Cut nozzle to required width and Silicon as normal. Spray the said FAIRY LIQUID and water along the fresh Silicon dont worry if it looks to much water is there. Using the back of your finger nail, take off the excess Silicon. IMPORTANT you can now "MOULD" the Silicon to a perfect finish. If you have missed a bit re spray to mould. Clean hands with the said spray. Try it. Finally on certain baths I fill the bath with cold water so it drops and splays ( you will see the gap between the bath and tiles open up ) Silicon then empty bath, leave as long as you can even over night, perfect a seal as your going to get.PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Good luck

 

[handyrabbit]

top banana!! thnx A11CTU! will try that out shortly!!

 

[BDS]

I`ve just used the schluter joints as per GazTech`s recommendations and there easy to use and good stuff and not a bad price either a hell of lot cheaper than replacing the whole floor when it all goes pete tong:lol: cheers gaz

 

[GazTech]

Thanks John,
The job I looked at with you only needed a couple of exp joints as there was plenty of expansion under skirtings, and kitchen units. Where the concrete slabs met in the doorway was the most important of all.....Gaz
PS When do we get to see the pictures ?