Setting Ceramic Tile Over Cracked Foundation

Cracks mean movement.

Setting ceramic tile over cracked foundation.

Cracks in concrete are a sign of a structural problem. Voids in the mortar under the tile allow the tile to flex and crack. And third let this coat dry for 24 hours. Although cracks sometimes indicate serious structural issues they re often a symptom of superficial damage.

Chipboard cushioned vinyl flooring particle boards of any type oriented strand board osb interior grade plywood tongue and groove planking and hardwood floors are unsuitable substrates for direct installation of ceramic tile. To install ceramic tile over wood the wood surface must be structurally sound enough to support the weight of the tile. Tile cannot be attached directly to painted concrete as the thin set will not adhere well to the paint. In fact pros do it all the time.

Applying tile in these situations is really quite simple. If your old ceramic tile is worn or dated you can lay new tile right over the old and avoid the huge job of tearing out the old tile. To discover the cause of your tile s crack you ll need to carefully inspect the crack s size and pattern. Cracks are nothing out of the ordinary.

This assumes that the floor underneath is solid concrete and that there are no cracks in the existing tile indicating underlying problems in the concrete. Ceramic floor tiles especially larger tiles need an even distribution of mortar underneath them. A tile floor is only as strong and as stable as the subfloor on which it is installed. Before i begin the process of tiling over a cracked slab i prep the slab with a crack isolation membrane.

Cracked floor tiles aren t cause for immediate panic. Second apply a very thin coat of thin set mortar filling in the current grout lines. We also became aware of multiple cracks in our foundation. Repairing a foundation crack wider than inch may well be a diy task but on the off chance that the crack is due to something more serious a professional opinion should be sought first.

In some cases i ve seen cracks that are almost 1 4 in. We would like to install stone or tile but i m scared that after installing new stone and or tile that a few months later we would begin. 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. At this point in the project you can continue with the normal steps for tile installation just like you would on a subfloor.

Cracks and gaps can be filled with portland cement based fillers. If you suspect foundation. Installing over wood.