Tiles cracked base of walk in shower? - TilersForums.com

[Bathfix Bob]

New build, drying now so shrinking timer everywhere, delicate mitred edge on stone has had weight transferred to it and cracked.

 

[Octopus8]

Ok guys, the attached images should explain more about why the cracks have appeared maybe?

Also, client wants a bathroom fitter/tiler to go in the property and provide confirmation that movement is the cause of the tiles cracking (more likely poorly fitted walk in shower tray in that case?). Client will pay (but not silly quotes). Property is in London at Chelsea Waterfront (near Brompton Overground station). Anyone interested then please let me know.

 

[WetSaw]

It looks like those photos are of the problem being repaired, if that is the case can't the person doing the repair tell what the cause of the original problem was? More importantly, what has been done to ensure it doesn't happen again?

 

[Waluigi]

Very difficult to say what’s gone wrong. When it comes to wet room formers things need to be perfect. It could be something as simple as the timber not being screwed to the floor or the timber having too high a moisture content when installed. It could be the XPS former not bonded properly to the adhesive, wrong adhesive used etc etc.

Some people (myself included) would only be interested in starting again. I don’t put my name to rooms that are patched up or half jobs. That’s not snobbery, it’s purely because you know how everything is done plus when you put your name to half a job, people judge you on the whole job.

 

[Boggs]

Sorry to ask but if you’re not the client or the guy repairing the job what is your relationship to it?

 

[Octopus8]

The owner of the property is my client. Anyone up for checking out the work to perhaps explain what has caused the movement?

 

[Waluigi]

I wonder if that edging piece has been fitted directly to the floor without a gap. The tray has moved down slightly but the corner piece hasn’t.

Wherever there’s a tile abutment, there should be a gap and a movement (silicone) joint.

 

[Flintstone]

What is your area of expertise?

 

[acaciaguy]

What is your relationship with the client. I’m confused.

 

[Tile Shop]

To me, looking at the exposed joists, there is no evidence of any support having ever been present between? How was the tray fixed? Just screwed to the joists or another method?

Most trays require an 18mm board fixed to the joists with wooden brackets, levelled to the top of the joist to give a flat surface. Heres an example of the Marmox instructions but most manufacturers advise the same thing:
http://www.marmox.co.uk/uploads/catalogue_gallery/31/instructions/loweredtojoistlevel.pdf

If it is the case of no support, firstly I'm surprised the customer hasn't gone through it at its thinest point, but also any flex would cause a see-saw effect on the very edge leading to..... well, cracked tiles and tile joints.

If I'm wrong then I'm bu99ered if I know other than other significant movement from a different cause.