Tile water absorbtion experiment - Tile Advice

[Qwerty]

Following on from the discussion in another thread about not fitting ceramic tiles in a shower/ bathroom I have decided to conduct a little experiment.

I plan on testinghow much water tiles absorb.

I have 3 tiles to test-
-Glazed ceramic (10mm)
-Soft glazed Grade 3 Porcelain (11mm)
-Full bodied Grade 5 Porcelain (10mm)

Each tile weighs 304 grams so the water absorbtion will be easier to see and calculate as a %.

I will submerge the pieces for 24hrs then remove, wipe down excess and weigh. I will record each weight and then boil all 3 pieces for 15 mins. Somebody suggested water absorbtion for Porcelain is under boiling water so in the interests of fairness I will blast them for 15 mins to see if that makes any difference.

This could be a total failure and prove nothing but I have a feeling not.

Let the experiment commence!!!

Tile 1

Tile 2

Tile 3

Tiles submerged at 8pm last night....

And no, a Rubi wasn't used to cut Tile 2...... I had to chip of a gram to make the weight even !!!!!

 

[Andy Allen]

Are you totally submerging them or just one end..?

BTW .....good on you and look forward to the results.

(Hope you had a white coat on, ear defenders and safety glasses)...

 

[Dumbo]

Are you sure your scales aren't stuck

 

[Qwerty]

Haha, no I forgot the white coat. White pants count?

Yes, tiles fully submerged (you can even see the bubble on the edge of Tile 1) and No, scales not stuck!!!!

 

[Kyle Knowles]

Ohh I like this.... more experiments needed has anyone got any suggestions this should be a regular thing

 

[Andy Allen]

Well..... I'm experimenting the effects on the body from having Fridays off...

All for science off course...

 

[Flintstone]

Great test!i expect the ceramic will take on half its own dry weight at least

 

[Flintstone]

I've left off cuts of ceramic outside before and when I've gone back to them after a few rainy days, you could see the moisture in them from the face, behind the glaze, be good to compare that ceramic to a dry ceramic for appearance

 

[Old Mod]

Top job Geoff!

 

[Kyle Knowles]

I'd like to see all the brands of leveling systems test to see the breaking strain of the clips and see what the strongest are

 

[Qwerty]

I'd like to see all the brands of leveling systems test to see the breaking strain of the clips and see what the strongest are

You up for doing it?

 

[Kyle Knowles]

I was thinking about it but I've not got any weights to use to find the breaking point or even a torque wrench to get breaking force

 

[Bathfix Bob]

Good work Plan Tec

I would also like to see tests done on flexible adhesives and grout and what they actually mean by 'flexible'.
I mean say you tile and peice of plasterboard lent up against the garage wall and then bend it I can't see the grout taking much punishment to crack it.

 

[Qwerty]

Apologies for not posting results up tonight...... truth is I popped out for a couple and totally forgot!! I will be on it in the morning!

 

[Time's Ran Out]

And I've waited in all night in anticipation of your findings - humbug!