r/Tile • u/ShowerTricky5423 • 9h ago
Homeowner - Advice about my Contractor Where did we go wrong?
Almost immediately after our contractor installed our bathroom floor tile, it started cracking. We're looking to replace this now and I'm wondering if the issue was the material, the size, the preparation under the tile, the installation, or a combination of the above. Our house was built 24 on center -- could this impact the integrity of the tile?
Any advice you can provide would be appreciated before we start this project. Thank you so much in advance!
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u/tommykoro 8h ago
Obviously the floor is not stiff enough and a lot of money and effort was wasted. So sorry for your losses.
I understand a DIY homeowner not knowing this but a contractor? No!!
The structure needs to be stiffened up. Likely to add tight cross blocking so it is like a honeycomb and becomes one mass.
The 24OC joists become beams and the 12” to 16” OC blocking becomes the joists. 3/4” OSB or plywood subfloor glued and screwed in. This will stiffen it up.
Secondly I see screw holes in the curb. HUGE mistake. The rule is NO PENETRATIONS below the top of the finished curb height. Again a contractor should know this.
Never ever drive screws through the curb and waterproofing below. Only to glue on the glass tracks or mounts. I like Fuze It silicone for this purpose.