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What causes a tile to loosen?

Many homeowners have asked me, “Why are the floor tiles loosening?” It’s surprising to me, with advances in floor preparation and modified putties, that tiles can still come off. It is possible to understand why floor tiles are loosening without having to enlist the help of a general contractor or flooring professional. Let me tell you why this happens.

First, it is important to understand what holds the tile to the floor. Tiles, whether they are ceramic, porcelain, slate, granite or marble, are held in place by a substance called a thin layer. Thin set is a Portland cement-based material that contains a special mixture of additives that give the mixture the ability to flex smoothly under tension and return to its original position. This deformation, also known as load, can be the result of climatic changes, such as the passing of the seasons, or of a physical nature, such as the weight of a person or item placed on the tile.

Sometimes the stress or load can be too much for thin people. If a heavy object is placed on the tile floor, such as a piano, it is very possible that an individual tile will be overloaded. If this happens, the bond between the tile and the thin assembly can break and the tile can come off. Once sheared, the tile will never rejoin with the thin layer. The result is a loose tile that is only held in place by the grout that surrounds all four sides.

Next, the floor structure must be considered. Before installing any type of tile flooring, the subfloor should be inspected by the contractor or flooring professional. The subfloor must be constructed rigid enough to support its own weight, the weight of the tile, and the weight of items placed on it. Most local codes state that if the flooring is framed with 2×8 floor joists, 16 “on center, and sheathed with a 5/8” plywood material, tile can be laid. Remember, before beginning any construction project, check with local building code officials. Better safe than sorry.

In many homes, the floor is simply not built or framed strong enough to support its own weight and the weight of a tile floor. When floors are not sufficiently framed, they tend to move perpendicular to the plane of the earth. This up and down movement emphasizes the bond between tile and thin by applying too much weight or load to one area.

It is quite possible that the bond between the tile and the thin assembly is strong enough to accept an overload multiple times. The number of times is directly related to the quality of the thin layer. Inevitably, even the most expensive thin sets will fail if subjected to continuous overload.

Lastly, the most common reason a tile comes loose from its thin layer is improper installation. Careless contractors tend to tile weak floors. The thin coat must be mixed according to the manufacturer’s specifications. If mixed too wet or too dry, the fine set will not cure properly. This improper curing results in a weak floor.

Over time, most tile floors will have a loose tile. This is to be expected and can be repaired. If during the life of a floor, many tiles come loose, the cause is a more serious problem. In my experience, human error is the cause.

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