But other factors matter too.
Uneven wall keeps cracking tile during installation.
Gravity is the primary challenge.
The floorelf posts photos of failed tile installations and the problems that caused them.
Here are some common areas of concern.
Some one step mortars will isolate cracks up to 1 8 inch wide.
The flatness of the wall or floor or the texture of the tile s back.
So the only reliable way to know that the bed is thick enough is to set the first few tiles then immediately pry them up.
First we might crack tiles and the customer did not have any replacements.
But it is possible that you or a previous owner has installed sub standard tiles.
These are the spaces left between the tiles during installation which are grouted afterward.
There is also a spot near the window trim where the wall appears to be built up too much enough so that the tile could end up proud of the trim which i m pretty sure won t look so hot.
As the chart shows larger tiles require larger trowel notches to provide a thicker bed.
If the substrate the floor tiles are being installed on is uneven but structurally sound a.
Repeat the process for the rest of the installation and.
If they are too thin the tiles won t have enough room to expand and contract causing cracking.
These joints are there to absorb pressure from shifting tiles.
Incorrect shower floor bases incorrect tile substrates and incorrect installation methods.
The weight of a large format stone tile can cause it to sag or slip during installation on the wall.
The problem is that the wall is uneven.
Tiles laid over existing cracks usually crack due to uneven floor movement along the tile.
Usually this is not the case.
Several tiles in the front of his shower were hollow nearly lifting off the floor but still attached.
Back buttering is a trick used for tiles of uneven thickness like ungauged slate or handmade tiles.
Inferior tile was used.
Installers also face a variety of challenges with large format wall tile.
To counter this apply an uncoupling membrane to the concrete before the tile is installed.
If you put a 48 straight edge up against the most sunken areas there s a gap of almost a 1 2.
Because the tile is cracked and the tile is the only visible portion of the installation sandwich of mortar and substrate most homeowners assume that the tile is at fault.
This membrane bonds to the concrete floor and then bonds to the tile.
Second the floor heating system could be damaged during the repair process.
