South East Squeaky tiled floor - Tile Advice

[natalie stanley]

Hello

I'm hopeing somebody can give me some advice - around a year and half ago I had my kitchen floor tiled. There is a wooden subfloor underneath which is made of thick ply, plenty of brackets and noggins between the beams and ditra.

Today I've just noticed that the area closest to the exterior wall creaks very loudly even when lightly walking. If I gently bounce it also squeaks. I've noticed it happens when I walk the length of the floor and the beams also go this way. It's a good 3-4metres of where the creaking occurs.

Fortunately I can't see any cracks in the tiles and the floor doesn't feel bouncy.

Any idea what it could be and if it's likely to progress into damage?

Perhaps the change in weather has had an impact to the joists?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Been here before if I remember - Feb 2016 'cracked grout'.

Cracked Grout - http://www.tilersforums.com/threads/cracked-grout.79148/

 

[natalie stanley]

Hi John

Yes that's correct, and managed to fix that problem!

 

[Flintstone]

One one reason for creaks and cracked grout, movement in the floor, weather you can feel it or not.

 

[natalie stanley]

One one reason for creaks and cracked grout, movement in the floor, weather you can feel it or not.

Thanks for replying! So far I can't see any cracks in the tile or grout..

 

[natalie stanley]

Does this mean they'll definitely be caked grout eventually?

Thanks

 

[Dumbo]

The perimeter of the room should have a flexible joint like silicone or or purpose made movement joint if it doesn't this could be cause of squeaking

 

[natalie stanley]

Can you elaborate further, not quite sure what you mean?

It feels like the squeaking is coming from one joist, as it's the length of the floor and the joists go that way. When I bounce on it it squeaks every time

 

[Bill]

Squeaking is caused by timber moving....... a silicone joint around the edge will not stop this.

What you need to do is identify the precise squeak position then add more secure fixings to that point and possibly the surrounding areas so that the timber no longer moves enough to squeak.

 

[Andy Allen]

A mouse ?

 

[natalie stanley]

Thanks for the replies all.

It will be impossible to access the floor unless I take up the tiles which is what I'd really prefer not to do. I don't mind living with the squeak as long as the tiles and grout don't crack. Fortunately it's not a high trafficked area.

Is it feasible that the tiles may not crack?

Thanks

 

[Rich Midge]

Feasible, possible, maybe. Depends on the type and quality of products used. There may be enough flex in the adhesive and grout to cope.

 

[Ajax123]

you have a choice really. Live with the squeak and hope for the best on the basis it might be ok or take up the tiles fix the problem and know that its ok. leaving it to squeak is doing no harm and saves you taking up the tiles. Ok you might have to do so later on but deal with that then.

 

[natalie stanley]

Thanks Rich - all quality products used and there is also ditra. As I mentioned the floor don't feel so bouncy but clearly the weight is impacting as it squeaks a lot. It's weird that it's just started happening.

Thanks

 

[Italy]

It could be the change of season. hot / cold.