Tiles lifting, Cement floors

[Unregistered]

Hi
I have a tiled floor in my kitchen put down 5 years ago and recently two tiles started to lift and the grouting is coming out each time we walk on them, now the surrounding tiles seem to be lifting also they sound hallow when tapped and they move when walked on.
I am wondering there a way to remove the tiles without breaking them and retiling using same tiless.
Thanking you in advance
S

 

[Richard Edwards]

Hello 'S'

Your problem is very common indeed and it is not restricted to DIY jobs. Monday 1st Feb, I will start yet another remedial job to put right the same / similar result only this time it was done by a so called Pro.

There are no quick answers and every case is different.

In General - they usually lift because either [a] the bond is not good enough, ie created by inappropriate adhesive spec, bedding method, substrate is not sound and stable enough, timber floors need to be stable and vital to use the correct / best adhesive. Concrete screeds are not always correct - ie thickness and composition. [c] priming issues prior to laying.

Trying to save your existing tiles is almost not worth it. Unless the are all liftable by hand without the need to apply a lever pressure, they will crack. Even if they come up in one piece, getting the backs cleaned off without a special machine to do it will take for ever. We have a tool to do it, but at £1200 its not a DIY option.

My advise

[1] Remove tiles and bin them
[2] Investigate why this has happened
[3] Re-lay them and change the method, adhesive, substrate quality.
[4] Sleep happy :8:



Richard Edwards
The Quality Tiling Co Ltd
South Wales

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks for your prompt reply
I suppose its time to pick out new tiles for my kitchen
Sharon

 

[CJ CERAMICS]

i would say that the floor surface was insuffieciently primed prior to tiling and by the sounds of the hollow tap a full coverage has not been created or the tiles have been layed using the dot and dab method.

 

[DHTiling]

Hi sharon...

This could be anumber of factors as mentioned above...it could be fixing method or preperation or even lateral stress if an insufficent perimeter joint was left...

As mentioned it will probs best to bite the bullett and re-new the floor...if you need a good fixer to do this for you .. maybe i could find one for you...

 

[Abstract tiling]

hi what area are you in, they will be a tiler on here that will help you out?

 

[White Room]

There may have been a bitumen layer on the floor