Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Concrete Shower Floor Bonding
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starboomer
08-19-03, 12:15 PM
We had some remodel work done on our home. It entailed converting a step down enclosed porch into a bathroom.
1) Where the shower would be installed a hole was dug thru the existing cement and plumbing was rerouted.
2) Cement was then poured to bring the porch floor to the level of the rest of the house. Except where the shower would be place there was a deep recessed area.
3) A shower pan was then installed and then more cement was poured to bring the shower floor to the drain level.
4) Then a tile floor was installed.
Two months after the completion of the job the grout started cracking and coming up. Then tiles started cracking. It is believed the cement moved and caused this problem.
The floor is going to be taken up. What measures can be taken to ensure we don’t have the same problem all over again? How can the cement be bonded to keep it from shifting? Is there a special cement that should be used in the shower area?
1) Where the shower would be installed a hole was dug thru the existing cement and plumbing was rerouted.
2) Cement was then poured to bring the porch floor to the level of the rest of the house. Except where the shower would be place there was a deep recessed area.
3) A shower pan was then installed and then more cement was poured to bring the shower floor to the drain level.
4) Then a tile floor was installed.
Two months after the completion of the job the grout started cracking and coming up. Then tiles started cracking. It is believed the cement moved and caused this problem.
The floor is going to be taken up. What measures can be taken to ensure we don’t have the same problem all over again? How can the cement be bonded to keep it from shifting? Is there a special cement that should be used in the shower area?
twelvepole
08-19-03, 09:46 PM
I am not so sure if the problem was a failure of the new concrete bonding to the old. When new concrete is poured onto old, a thin layer of bonding adhesive is applied over the entire surface. My concern is if they reinforced the concrete? You really won't be able to properly assess the situation until you remove the existing tile.
Ceramic tile membranes are used to provide protection for ceramic tile installations from problematic substrates and external stresses. Ceramic tile is then installed directly to the membrane using a manufacturer approved tile adhesive. Anti-Fracture Membranes are used to minimize minor crack transference caused by substrate movement. Uncoupling Membrane uncouples a ceramic tile or stone floor from the substrate and minimizes the transfer of thermal movement, shrinkage of Portland cement, subfloor deflection, minor crack transference caused by substrate movement, etc., to the tile flooring. More costly than conventional membranes but eliminates the need for crack isolation and anti-fracture membranes. Recommended for installation over problematic substrates. The use of a protective membrane beneath tile is something you should discuss with your tile installer before retiling.
Ceramic tile membranes are used to provide protection for ceramic tile installations from problematic substrates and external stresses. Ceramic tile is then installed directly to the membrane using a manufacturer approved tile adhesive. Anti-Fracture Membranes are used to minimize minor crack transference caused by substrate movement. Uncoupling Membrane uncouples a ceramic tile or stone floor from the substrate and minimizes the transfer of thermal movement, shrinkage of Portland cement, subfloor deflection, minor crack transference caused by substrate movement, etc., to the tile flooring. More costly than conventional membranes but eliminates the need for crack isolation and anti-fracture membranes. Recommended for installation over problematic substrates. The use of a protective membrane beneath tile is something you should discuss with your tile installer before retiling.