Flooring Tile - Cracked Deco Tiles on backerboard seam
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03-10-01, 01:48 PM
Dear Sir,
I have a cracks in my 2"x6" deco tile that are 3 feet up from the whirlpool tub. The tile job is only 5 weeks old. The tile rep. said that the tile is cracked besause the tile runs along the seam of the backerboard and claims that it must not have been taped. My tile contractor says it is the vibration from the tub. Neither can guarentee that the replaced tile won't crack again. What are my options? Has anyone encountered this before?
I have a cracks in my 2"x6" deco tile that are 3 feet up from the whirlpool tub. The tile job is only 5 weeks old. The tile rep. said that the tile is cracked besause the tile runs along the seam of the backerboard and claims that it must not have been taped. My tile contractor says it is the vibration from the tub. Neither can guarentee that the replaced tile won't crack again. What are my options? Has anyone encountered this before?
John Bridge
03-10-01, 03:35 PM
I can't be sure, and I sure hate to accuse the tile man without knowing what went on, but it sounds like an installation problem.
The tile man says the vibration is causing the cracking, but the backer board should not be touching the tub. There should be caulking joint between the backer and the tub, and this, of course, would isolate the vibration.
Secondly, all whirlpool tubs vibrate, but very seldom does the tile crack.
I don't used backer board, but I think that if it had been properly installed and taped, the cracking would not have occured.
The problem could also be worsened by not having used the proper glue, in this case, thin set mortar. If he used mastic, he could not have properly taped the seams.
John
http://www.johnbridge.com
The tile man says the vibration is causing the cracking, but the backer board should not be touching the tub. There should be caulking joint between the backer and the tub, and this, of course, would isolate the vibration.
Secondly, all whirlpool tubs vibrate, but very seldom does the tile crack.
I don't used backer board, but I think that if it had been properly installed and taped, the cracking would not have occured.
The problem could also be worsened by not having used the proper glue, in this case, thin set mortar. If he used mastic, he could not have properly taped the seams.
John
http://www.johnbridge.com
03-10-01, 04:42 PM
The Tile contractor is my friend and he says he never tapes the seams. Can we go back and tape the seam and thin set after we remove the tile?
John Bridge
03-10-01, 05:44 PM
I sincerely want to be friends with everyone, but how can you remove the tiles? I mean, how can you do it without damaging the backer, etc.?
Did he use mastic, or did he use thin set mortar?
John
Did he use mastic, or did he use thin set mortar?
John
03-11-01, 12:43 AM
John,
Thanks for your help. We used thinset. My buddy is a geberal contractor and probably doesn't have the experience you have so Don't worry about offending any one. My friend is accually anxious to know your answer to the problem.
The tile have to come off and while they are off I thought we could tape the seam before we put on the new tiles. Does that help clear it up? Thanks. Awaiting your reply.
Thanks for your help. We used thinset. My buddy is a geberal contractor and probably doesn't have the experience you have so Don't worry about offending any one. My friend is accually anxious to know your answer to the problem.
The tile have to come off and while they are off I thought we could tape the seam before we put on the new tiles. Does that help clear it up? Thanks. Awaiting your reply.
03-11-01, 04:22 AM
Hi rotella65,
John is correct, rarely will a whirlpool tub cause enough vibration to crack a tile. The backer board should always be taped (Floors , walls , anywhere It is in the manufacturers directions)
If you are lucky enough to remove the tile(s) in question absolutely tape them and thinset them. I personally use silicone between the joints of the board before taping (especially close to the tub)but, I've been accused of overkill with that. Better safe than sorry! I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but, if the joints of the board are not taped, you may experience the same problem in other areas. I hope you correct this one and it never happens again.
Regards,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)
http://www.gatelytile.com
John is correct, rarely will a whirlpool tub cause enough vibration to crack a tile. The backer board should always be taped (Floors , walls , anywhere It is in the manufacturers directions)
If you are lucky enough to remove the tile(s) in question absolutely tape them and thinset them. I personally use silicone between the joints of the board before taping (especially close to the tub)but, I've been accused of overkill with that. Better safe than sorry! I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but, if the joints of the board are not taped, you may experience the same problem in other areas. I hope you correct this one and it never happens again.
Regards,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)
http://www.gatelytile.com
John Bridge
03-11-01, 07:52 AM
I don't think Rich is guilty of overkill. If anything, he's guilty of excellent workmanship.
Sounds like you will have to start over -- new backer, new tiles. I think Rich has covered it, and he's had much more experience with backer than I have.
John
Sounds like you will have to start over -- new backer, new tiles. I think Rich has covered it, and he's had much more experience with backer than I have.
John