Random cracks in Limestone Floor tiles

[Mark@CTDtiles]

Problem is customers don't understand that on these projects a decoupling membrane is a must. They just think the retailer or tiler are trying to gain extra profit by selling them something they don't need.

I'd also check for movement joints and coverage on this particular failure.

 

[CamR]

It might be the quality/grade of stone

Any way of checking this out I have been advised that the tiles were supplied in accordance with a BS standard. I am waiting more info on this from the supplier

CamR

 

[CamR]

Are the cracks running in lines on several tiles, and do you have any cracks across or near to doorways, if so this would indicate the screed is cracking underneath.
Or if the tiles are only on random tiles, it could be bad fixing.
To be fair the use of ditra on underfloor heated floors is a relatively new thing, so many tilers who are not up to speed with recent developments so it doesn't mean they are inexperienced or bad tilers.

It is totally random, with respect to bad fixing do you mean wrong adhesive or badly laid. We haven't even moved into the house yet so cracks are appearing on tiles thathave never been walked on

CamR

 

[bugs183]

Totally random mmm, now that is an odd one. Need to know a few more things.
Has the underfloor heating been ran since it was tiled, has this been ran for a while, and when it was first switched on was it brought to temperature slowly or did whoever switched it on just let t heat up to full temperature.
If the underfloor heating has been switched on and allowed to heat to quickly then they may have been to much expansion in the floor for the tiles to take, but:
Maybe you havn't even switched in on yet.
Also if there is random cracks then this to me sounds like two things. it could be one of two possible thing:
Poor fixing, if the floor underneath is cracking it usually cracks in straight lines through several tiles. So random cracks would indicate that the tiles with the cracks havn't been bedded properly, and are breaking, the tiler may have 'dot and dabbed the tiles" lets hope not.
Or you say this floor hasn't been walked on, it may be the tiles themselves have cracks within them, bear in mind this is a natural product and stone does have veins that form a weak spot. These can show up after grouting, but really the tile shouldn't have fixed them.
Its very hard to say here without guessing, so can you send us some photos as at the moment we are only speculating.
Cheers.

 

[CamR]

Totally random mmm, now that is an odd one. Need to know a few more things.
Has the underfloor heating been ran since it was tiled, has this been ran for a while, and when it was first switched on was it brought to temperature slowly or did whoever switched it on just let t heat up to full temperature.
If the underfloor heating has been switched on and allowed to heat to quickly then they may have been to much expansion in the floor for the tiles to take, but:
Maybe you havn't even switched in on yet.
Also if there is random cracks then this to me sounds like two things. it could be one of two possible thing:
Poor fixing, if the floor underneath is cracking it usually cracks in straight lines through several tiles. So random cracks would indicate that the tiles with the cracks havn't been bedded properly, and are breaking, the tiler may have 'dot and dabbed the tiles" lets hope not.
Or you say this floor hasn't been walked on, it may be the tiles themselves have cracks within them, bear in mind this is a natural product and stone does have veins that form a weak spot. These can show up after grouting, but really the tile shouldn't have fixed them.
Its very hard to say here without guessing, so can you send us some photos as at the moment we are only speculating.
Cheers.

I have attached a link to some pics on Flickr (Can't get the forum album to work) The heating was commissioned before the tiles were laid, then switched off for tiling and then switched back on. I have yet to ascertain if it was gradually switched on but I do know when I checked the temp was set at 23degrees.

Cracked Tiles - a set on Flickr

CamR