tiles cracking with underfloor heating

[mutley racers]

Just had a call from a cust who is having this problem? Could it be the wrong grout used? Water running too hot or screed all wrong? What can I look out for and what can be done about it? Apart from taking all up and starting again?

 

[Killy Bing]

Blending valve kaput?

 

[Ermintrude]

How thick is screed?
How long was it left to dry
How wide is the floor
Are they polished proc 600x 600
What expansion joints included
What's the screed!

 

[mutley racers]

Not been there yet. But now I know a list of things to look at. She says she has all the paperwork for it so I shall check that out and see what it looks like. A nice list to go by there. How often do you need to put expansion gaps per sq metre?

 

[SimonG]

Somethings failed or not used correct adhesives and grouts or not left it for long enough and ramped it up slowly.

 

[Chalked]

This is a tiling problem, no fault of the underfloor heating.

ask how log after screeding was it tiled? ( 1 week then 1mm per day) this can be speeded up with a bit of force drying, but should be tested before tiling.
ask what type of screed. Liquid or sand and cement. Both these have to be used with different types of adhesive.
if the floor is large, were expansion joints allowed for, and if its stone a decoupling mat should have been used.

 

[Dan]

TilersForums.co.uk might be best for this. We have some awesome screed guys on there.

Tiles don't crack due to UFH. And if an incorrect (non-flexible) adhesive was used, they'd also not crack, they'd just come loose.

So it would suggest the adhesive is correct, and the screed is cracking, and the cracks are going through the solid adhesive and tile too.

Usually down to commissioning time not being long enough for the screed. Or incorrect screed mixture used.

We have a Gypsol tech expert on tilersforums though if you want to ask over there.

 

[Dan]

Do you know if a decoupling membrane (like Schluter Ditra) has been used at all?

 

[mutley racers]

Do you know if a decoupling membrane (like Schluter Ditra) has been used at all?

I know nothing at all about the job. Will see paperwork tomorrow so will find out then. I shall also ask in tilers forum if I can remember my password

 

[Phil]

I'd never dare tile onto a new screed, the tilers forum boards are a wash with cracking screed threads. It really puts you off.

Tiler blames plumber, plumber blames screeder, screeder blames plumber and tiler, tiler,plumber and screeder blame the screed delivery driver, delivery driver blames some guy walking past out with his dog.

 

[Destroyer2813]

My guess is the screed wasnt given enough time to dry before tiling, i"ve seen screeds layed on a friday and tiled on a tuesday before

 

[Ermintrude]

Who's this dan stranger? Knows lots about different forums? Not another troll?

 

[zzzjim]

Who's this dan stranger?

Do your research !

 

[Chalked]

Dan owns the plumbing and tilers forum!

 

[Phil]

Dan owns the plumbing and tilers forum!

I think he was being sarcastic!

 

[SimonG]

I think he was being sarcastic!

Ermi, sarcastic, never

 

[Chalked]

I should have known better.

you got me ermintrude :dita:

 

[mutley racers]

So, would the ideal solution be to rip up tiles and put a decoupling membrane in

 

[SimonG]

One other thing. How old is all this and where are the original people if its pretty new. Be careful Mutley.

 

[Chalked]

Good thread on this subject here.
[DLMURL="http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/tilers-forums-arms/72335-proven-anhydrite-methods-3.html#post734059"]TilersForums.co.uk | Tiling Forum | Tilers Forum - Wall and floor tilers gain free tiling advice[/DLMURL]

 

[mutley racers]

One other thing. How old is all this and where are the original people if its pretty new. Be careful Mutley.

I shall find out all tomorrow. I will be careful. Thanks for the warning though feller

 

[Chalked]

Have a look, take some pics, ask how it was done then post on here. See if we can assist.

 

[Ermintrude]

We all know it's the builders fault

 

[mutley racers]

Have a look, take some pics, ask how it was done then post on here. See if we can assist.

That is exactly what I intend on doing. I couldn't think of a better option

 

[Killy Bing]

Wrong plaster used

 

[Ermintrude]

Supaplums been on the go with dick van dick puller

 

[mutley racers]

Well, turns out it is electric underfloor heating in a basement flat. I don't have a clue about the preparation of this stuff. But, the tiles are all becoming loose, cracking in places and grout coming loose.

 

[TBServices]

Sounds like it's probably just a case of using the wrong adhesive, or maybe there's damp under the floor?

 

[Irish]

They need to get the tiler back mutley not the plumber sounds like some clown has put normal tile adhesive instead of flexible tile adhesive. The adhesive can't cope with the expansion and contraction and starts to disintegrate thus causing the tiles to move and crack and then the grout is moving because the tiles are moving

 

[TBServices]

Honestly don't know why anyone uses that ready mixed rubbish. It's a nightmare waiting to happen.

 

[happyflyer]

How thick is screed?
How long was it left to dry
How wide is the floor
Are they polished proc 600x 600
What expansion joints included
What's the screed!

CarpetWorld Ermi, red,blue,grey, mind the nails in the carpet gripper, finger I mean...:27:

 

[Ray Stafford]

I'd never dare tile onto a new screed, the tilers forum boards are a wash with cracking screed threads. It really puts you off.

Tiler blames plumber, plumber blames screeder, screeder blames plumber and tiler, tiler,plumber and screeder blame the screed delivery driver, delivery driver blames some guy walking past out with his dog.

I feel left out. What's wrong with the normal practice of blaming the merchant?

 

[mutley racers]

It was done in 2007 so doubt they will come back and fix it. I shall let the client know that it needs re-tiling with flexible grout.

Thanks for all the help guys. Much appreciated

 

[Chalked]

It might have been turned on too soon. Should be two weeks after tiling.
i would recommend taking the tiles up( this will probably destroy the element) then fit new underfloor, re-tile using bagged SPF( single part flexible) adhesive and grout using bal superflex grout.

 

[Dan]

Any outcome to this?