ceramic tile issue

[Guest StephenB]

Couple weeks back I had a loud noise from 2nd floor, and when I went upstairs to find source of noise I had 2 rows of ceramic tile lift up like a draw bridge. The tile was put down 15 years ago. I inspected the cement floor from first floor and the reinforced cement beams under the floor and around the home and didn't see any cracks. I have all ceramic on first floor and no cracks or problems. What would the cause and solution be for me? Water used to hang out on 2nd floor on that tile but its been dry for a year since replacing roof.

[Crossy]

"Tenting" is the word. Invariably because insufficient "movement" space was left when the tiles were installed and eventually the tension overcame the adhesive.

 

A competent tiling chap should be able to sort the issue but to do it properly will involve lifting the remaining tiles and trimming the edges to allow for more movement.

 

We had a similar issue in our place in Rome, the tiles that tented in 2003 were installed when the apartment was built, in 1960!

 

[steve187]

as crossy said a lack of tile spacing, why do they tile butt to butt here, 3mm gaps is the standard in UK, also sand and cement used to 'stick' down porcelain tiles, which will never stick, good quality adhesive should be used

[Guest StephenB]

Thank you for the replies guys

[kingdong]

20 minutes ago, StephenB said:

Thank you for the replies guys

was there  grout joints (gaps) between the tiles,i.e they used spacers when laying tiles ang grouted them in?if not and they were laid touching each other thats your problem.sorry just read another post similar to mine.

Edited June 25, 2020 by kingdong

[Guest StephenB]

41 minutes ago, kingdong said:

was there  grout joints (gaps) between the tiles,i.e they used spacers when laying tiles ang grouted them in?if not and they were laid touching each other thats your problem.sorry just read another post similar to mine.

No there is grout between the tiles. I still puzzled a bit.

[steve187]

1 minute ago, StephenB said:

No there is grout between the tiles. I still puzzled a bit.

yes but how big is the joint

[Guest StephenB]

3 hours ago, steve187 said:

yes but how big is the joint

Ill take a wild guess 1/16 to 1/8"

Cant find my tape measure or square. I put a standard pen in the picture for ref.

[canopy]

Tiles should never be laid over 6 meters in any direction without a flexible expansion joint such as silicone. Furthermore the gap between tile to wall should also have a flexible expansion joint, not grout or tiles touching the wall. Otherwise when the tiles need to expand they tent. Totally normal in Thailand where expansion joints are generally not known about or "this is Thailand you don't need to do that here" types of builders.

 

[monsieurhappy]

On 6/14/2020 at 5:28 PM, Crossy said:

A competent tiling chap should be able to sort the issue but to do it properly will involve lifting the remaining tiles and trimming the edges to allow for more movement.

 

Please tell where you can find a competant tiling chap around Pattaya?

 

Edited June 25, 2020 by Crossy
Fixed the quote.

[Crossy]

2 minutes ago, monsieurhappy said:

Please tell where you can find a competant tiling chap around Pattaya?

 

I know one in Nonthaburi, a bit far from you I'm afraid.

 

You could try opening a thread in the Pattaya forum.

[tonray]

8 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

I know one in Nonthaburi, a bit far from you I'm afraid.

 

You could try opening a thread in the Pattaya forum.

Could you PM that info please....for future reference. Planning to do better tile for the living/dining room and maybe half tile the downstairs half bathroom. Thanks

[cheshiremusicman]

21 hours ago, StephenB said:

No there is grout between the tiles. I still puzzled a bit.

Presumably, the reason it's just happened is that we are in the time of the year with the highest temperatures and this has just exacerbated the problem which has been building up over the years, caused by continuous expansion and contraction. Thanks for the info re silicon expansion joints and max length of tiling recommended, you learn something new every day.