Setting Ceramic Tile Over Cracked Foundation

Cracks in concrete are a sign of a structural problem.

Setting ceramic tile over cracked foundation.

Before i begin the process of tiling over a cracked slab i prep the slab with a crack isolation membrane. In some cases i ve seen cracks that are almost 1 4 in. Cracks mean movement. Tile cannot be attached directly to painted concrete as the thin set will not adhere well to the paint.

How to tile over cracked floors. Voids in the mortar under the tile allow the tile to flex and crack. 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.

Second apply a very thin coat of thin set mortar filling in the current grout lines. 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. This provides a more even foundation for the new tiles to adhere to. A tile floor is only as strong and as stable as the subfloor on which it is installed.

Cracks and gaps can be filled with portland cement based fillers. At this point in the project you can continue with the normal steps for tile installation just like you would on a subfloor. Ceramic floor tiles especially larger tiles need an even distribution of mortar underneath them. To discover the cause of your tile s crack you ll need to carefully inspect the crack s size and pattern.

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. 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. 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. The safest way to approach questionable concrete is not to cover it over with cbus but to fix the concrete.

If you suspect foundation. Cracks are nothing out of the ordinary. 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. In fact pros do it all the time.

Although cracks sometimes indicate serious structural issues they re often a symptom of superficial damage. Cracked floor tiles aren t cause for immediate panic. We also became aware of multiple cracks in our foundation.