Cracked Tiles

[slj]

Hi looking for advise regarding cracked wall tiles on an internal wall. I had a new bathroom installed with the bathroom being fully tiled. A few months after work finished I noticed cracked tiles at the window. The company came out to inspect the tiles and said they had never saw anything like it and retiled, replacing 12 tiles in total, however after a few months the same thing happened. This time they said it was nothing they had done and suggested there was some movement in the wall. A structural engineer came out and confirmed there was movement in the wall. However apart from the tiles there are no other signs of movement on the other side of the wall or downstairs. When I removed the tiles I noticed it was only the glaze on the tile that was cracked, the grout wasn't cracked and the wall itself had no cracks. The adhesive gets thicker nearer the window as if the adhesive was used to build out the tiles to keep the wall straight (I have enclosed photos) is it possible this is the cause of the cracks. I do not know what adhesive was used but the tiles are saloni. Look forward to your comments.

 

[J Sid]

the fixing method, amount of adhesive is the reason for the fail. It's a fixing problem and you should get them to redo any areas fixed like that by making the wall straight and upright before fixing

 

[Brian the Tile]

Sorry to be a bit blunt here but that looks a mess have you any more pics

 

[slj]

the fixing method, amount of adhesive is the reason for the fail. It's a fixing problem and you should get them to redo any areas fixed like that by making the wall straight and upright before fixing

Thanks for the quick reply how thick should the adhesive be?

 

[J Sid]

depending on what was used, do you know?
powder or tubed adhesive?
3mm to 6mm is a good starting point

 

[slj]

 

[slj]

I don't know what was used. When removing tiles you could see it getting thicker towards the window. I was surprised how much was used.

 

[Boggs]

Well that was never going to end well.

 

[Tony_C]

You could try sending the company these pictures you are showing us now and see what they have to say? They surely won't be able to dry deny rectifying that now.

 

[acaciaguy]

Ask the engineer his opinion again now too

 

[Boggs]

Ask the engineer his opinion again now too

“Engineer”

I think you mean “dabber”

 

[slj]

Thanks for the replies, I will go back. I just wanted some independent feedback, am I right in saying the tiles have crazed?

 

[J Sid]

don't believe they sent out a structure engineer to look at a few cracked tiles, maybe the office boy

 

[J Sid]

Thanks for the replies, I will go back. I just wanted some independent feedback, am I right in saying the tiles have crazed?

yes
due to incorrect fixing method, dot and dabbed

 

[acaciaguy]

don't believe they sent out a structure engineer to look at a few cracked tiles, maybe the office boy

I agree I was confused by structural engineer.

 

[acaciaguy]

yes
due to incorrect fixing method, dot and dabbed

Mr blobby strikes again sadly.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

When it’s redone (again) don't accept
that standard of repair!
There’s no evidence from your wall of any structural movement so who paid the ‘engineer’?
They should skim/prepare the wall first then use a thinner layer of adhesive that is not going to shrink back.
Good luck.

 

[demi34]

Messy work

 

[Pauly tiler]

To be honest some of the problem is the Gypsum plaster, Looks like a skim of finish over god only knows. Yes the tiling isn't great but we need to know the complete story. I know I am an old curmudgeon, but I have always said Gypsum has no business in a bathroom, its a woeful product fora bathroom, especially when over skimmed. Bring back the renderers!