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cracking grout on tiled floor

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 2:51 pm
by Bobs
I have just had new floor tiles laid in kitchen but the grout in some areas is cracking - tiler says this is probably due to it settling and moving slightly due to change in temperature.
The floor is chipboard but plywood was laid first and screwed down every 30cms, coated with PVA then B and Q tub of ready mixed adhesive and grout used.
Is this possible?

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:03 pm
by rosebery
"tiler says this is probably due to it settling and moving slightly due to change in temperature."

No its cracking because the substrate is moving, poor preparation and he used the wrong materials.


"Chipboard but plywood laid first"

Ply on top of chipboard!! What size ply? Was the plywood screwed down into the joists or just into the chipboard any old where? If it were me and you'd insisted to leave the chipboard down I would have insisted you paid for a decouplng membrane (eg Ditra) or I would have refused the job.


"coated with PVA"

Oopps first big no no!


"then B and Q tub of ready mixed adhesive and grout used."

Oh dear! Totally and completely the wrong product! He should have used bagged cementatious flexible adhesive and a flexible bagged grout.


"Is this possible?"

No its inevitable in the circumstances. It really should all be taken up and done again properly. If he won't fix it sack your tiler and find one that does't ride a horse. Hope you haven't paid him yet.

Cheers

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:05 pm
by Bobs
thanks - will see how I can get out of this one!

Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:11 pm
by rosebery
How'd you get on?

Cheers