Tile Floor Cracking In New House

In many cases cracked tile floors are signs of foundation issues.

Tile floor cracking in new house.

In this test floor tiles are run through a machine that exerts loads on an unsupported 1 inch square area. This will sometimes occur while the house settles because the subfloor will move more than the tile floor covering which is the most fragile point can tolerate resulting in cracks and popped tiles. 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. Sometimes hairline cracks in tile floors are one of the first tell tale indications that soil or moisture is affecting a foundation.

In a case where cracking is minimal or has occurred in only a small number of tiles and or the floor is in a location where aesthetics don t matter to you the easiest most inexpensive solution is diy patching. Occasionally a crack along the joint between grout and tile appears to be a crack in the tile s surface. Tile cracked under heavy loads. Ceramic floor tiles especially larger tiles need an even distribution of mortar underneath them.

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. Voids in the mortar under the tile allow the tile to flex and crack. It s possible that soil movement or water has caused your foundation to shift move or even be pushed in an upward direction. Most tiles comply with astm c648 breaking strength standards.

Grout hugs the edges of floor tiles and sometimes seamlessly blends with the tiles exposed surface.