Tile water absorbtion experiment - TilersForums.com

[cuemanlew]

most interesting, makes you wonder whether to use ceramics in wetrooms

 

[Spacey360]

most interesting, makes you wonder whether to use ceramics in wetrooms

No use resistant vinyl

 

[Dan]

Really makes you think about it. Must take weeks in some scenarios to dry the center of a large tile.

 

[Deleted member 49260]

You do realise if my missus sees this I'll have to take down all the ceramics I've put up and replace with porc.... Took me ages too as I'm just a DIYer... Might have to use epoxy snot and paint them instead

 

[Canyondust]

Thanks for such an interesting test and results, plus the work and effort to make it happen. (And boiling tiles!).

Given it would seem reasonable that only one face of the tile is likely to be exposed to water, And a lesser extent the edges is this a totally fair test.

Would it be a reasonable hypothesis that the glazed face of the ceramic tile does not absorb water at the same rate as the none glazed face. If so totally submerging would not be real.

A system test with all components involved would make more sense. So one could imagine a more porous grout vs less making a difference. My feelings are the glazed tile would show significant improvements over it's peers in the case and they are unlikely to show such results in a real bathroom.

Anyway again thankyou for the work and giving us all something to think about.

 

[Qwerty]

The test is to demonstrate what would occur should a failure of the tile or grout was to occur and was purely showing how much water different tiles absorb.

Another member once conducted a test with cement grout between tiles which were continually exposed to water. It took less time than he thought for it to reach the substrate.

Porous grout will always absorb water.
A ceramic tile face whether glazed or not will never absorb as much water as the back or sides.

Feel free to conduct a test of your own.

 

[Canyondust]

Hi.

Even if the grout was removed I still do not feel it is representative of a system test. The glazed part of the tile must be providing significant benefits to protecting against spray ingress.

My real point is that if we conducted a system test (of a wall section) in an environment chamber to simulate spray, water vapour and prolonged high humidity such as one would find in a wet room the glazed tile is likely (this is my hypothesis) perform significantly better than purported.

ASTM 373 really talks about material tests.

 

[Dumbo]

Hi.

Even if the grout was removed I still do not feel it is representative of a system test. The glazed part of the tile must be providing significant benefits to protecting against spray ingress.

My real point is that if we conducted a system test (of a wall section) in an environment chamber to simulate spray, water vapour and prolonged high humidity such as one would find in a wet room the glazed tile is likely (this is my hypothesis) perform significantly better than purported.

ASTM 373 really talks about material tests.

Crack on then and let us know how you get then . But before you bother i will tell you i have removed ceramic tiles from failed instalations and they have been wet .

 

[Canyondust]

Any particular reason for your reticence?

Crack on with What? Are people not allowed opinions and comments ?

 

[Dumbo]

Any particular reason for your reticence?

Crack on with What? Are people not allowed opinions and comments ?

With your test that you proposed @Plan Tec Tiling carried a very comprehensive test and you pretty much imply it's worthless