My Ceramic Tile Floor Is Cracking

Cracked tiles on floors and walls is a problem because it can be difficult to track down the source of the crack.

My ceramic tile floor is cracking.

Grout hugs the edges of floor tiles and sometimes seamlessly blends with the tiles exposed surface. Occasionally a crack along the joint between grout and tile appears to be a crack in the tile s surface. In many cases the crack is not the result of an inferior tile. If replacing a tile isn t in your budget or if the tile isn t badly damaged you can repair the tile.

If 1 or more of your floor or counter tiles have cracked whether from regular wear and tear or from having a heavy object dropped on them you don t necessarily need to replace the cracked tile. 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. This is known as reflective cracking and it can be easily prevented by adding a crack isolation membrane during installation. Ceramic floor tiles especially larger tiles need an even distribution of mortar underneath them.

For a larger more visible area of cracked tile contact a tile contractor for expert help. 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. However cracks wider than 1 8 inch will eventually transfer to the tile it notes. Whatever the cause you can remedy the cracks yourself without having to hire a professional.

Or if your ceramic tile was installed over newly laid concrete the tile may crack as the concrete settles. Generally hairline cracks in the concrete will not present an issue to the tile floor above. In far more instances the crack was caused by anomalies under or around the tile. Perhaps you dropped something heavy on the tile such as a cast iron skillet.