My Ceramic Tile Floor Is Cracking

Cracked tiles on floors and walls is a problem because it can be difficult to track down the source of the crack.

My ceramic tile floor is cracking.

In far more instances the crack was caused by anomalies under or around the tile. If 1 or more of your floor or counter tiles have cracked whether from regular wear and tear or from having a heavy object dropped on them you don t necessarily need to replace the cracked tile. Whatever the cause you can remedy the cracks yourself without having to hire a professional. Or if your ceramic tile was installed over newly laid concrete the tile may crack as the concrete settles.

Generally hairline cracks in the concrete will not present an issue to the tile floor above. Voids in the mortar under the tile allow the tile to flex and crack. As a general rule tiles larger than 12x12 inches should have mortar applied to the back of the tile as well as the floor to help ensure adequate coverage. Perhaps you dropped something heavy on the tile such as a cast iron skillet.

For a larger more visible area of cracked tile contact a tile contractor for expert help. However cracks wider than 1 8 inch will eventually transfer to the tile it notes. Occasionally a crack along the joint between grout and tile appears to be a crack in the tile s surface. Ceramic floor tiles especially larger tiles need an even distribution of mortar underneath them.

This is known as reflective cracking and it can be easily prevented by adding a crack isolation membrane during installation. If your tile s crack seems to run along the tile s outer edge closely inspect the crack to determine if it s really on the tile or just. In many cases the crack is not the result of an inferior tile. Ceramic tile can develop hairline cracks for a variety of reasons.