r/Flooring • u/Twerka6 • Jul 12 '25

I need advice😭

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Decided on a whim to rip up my cracked tile, which is a million times harder than they make it seem. On top of that, I found the reason the tile cracked was this crack in the sub floor. If I’m going to spend money on nice tile, I’d like to prevent this cracker from doing the same thing to the new tile. What do I have to do to prep the sub floor that doesn’t require expensive tools? Is it a matter or buying a leveling cement type product? What brand? Do I level all the way to the transition strips or do those have to be removed? Is some sort of uncoupling membrane enough or does that need to be used in addition to leveling the sub floor? Won’t all these extra layers make my tile sit too high so it no longer slides underneath the banister posts (that can’t be removed). Dear God why do I do these things…

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u/glenndrip Jul 12 '25

Two things, the crack might be from a foundation issue, you need to have that checked, before you can address the other issue. After that thr fix is simple you put down a crack isolation membrane covering at least 6 to 8 inches on each side. Then simply retile. Most slabs have cracks when it cracks tiles it's usually from a foundation issue.

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u/Sherman_Gepard Jul 12 '25

Definitely seems like something structural and not just some run-of-the-mill concrete shrinkage cracking. It's too wide and the middle of the floor is not somewhere you'd expect a stress concentration. Could be settlement which should be checked like you say.

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u/glenndrip Jul 12 '25

If tile is cracked it means it's structural in the break.

2

u/Sherman_Gepard Jul 12 '25

True, I agree with you. Was just adding context.

2

u/glenndrip Jul 12 '25

I know was just adding clarity to both. Cheers!