Help!: Porcelain tiles lifting and cracking after one week.

[John Lyden]

I am having a house built and the floor is 600 x 600 polished porcelain tiles from Pocelanosa. the total area tiled is around 150 sq M. There is underfloor heating with a screed on top.
The tiles have lifted and cracked after only one week. The builder says he doesn't know why. I am concerned that this problem seems to be in all areas of the house.Will the entire floor need to be lifted ? Can the same tiles be re-laid or will the builder need to order a new batch of tiles which could be 12 weeks delivery ?
Where can I go to get an independent opinion and expert inspection of the floor ?

[jay]

hello bit hard to say what the problem is without viewing any chance of some pictures and a bit more info what type of ufh and what type of screed also what adhesive was used and was there any expansion joints allowed sorry for all the questions but it will help us solve your problem

[Scott]

Hi John, your not having much luck with the tiling in this house are you?

As Jay has stated more information on the screed and type of heating is vital. How long has the screed been down and was the heating commisioned prior to laying the tiles? Im assuming as its a new build that its wet under floor heating?

[peckers]

More info needed as the others have said.

1. what screed was it
2. was the floor heating commisioned prior to tiling
3. was the screed tested for moisture content prior to tiling
4. was there expansion joints in the floor/perimeter of the floors
5. if expansion joints were they repeated threw the tiles
6. any expansion joints in the tiles/around pirimeter of the room
7. what adhesive was used
8. has the uderfloor heating been turned on too early or turned up to high to quick
9. what preparation was carried out to the floor etc.

and some pictures off before and after tiling would be very useful.

As for an independant inspection the TTA do it but it is very expensive or perhaps a member from here who is local to you could possibly take a look.

You may be able to get away with re using some off the tiles but new ones would have to be purchased as well(probably) and then you could end up with different batch numbers, and this could lead to shade differences etc.

[Burnsy]

Did the builder use a de coupling mat?

[Ajax123]

Uncoupling shouldn't really be necessary with Porcs but Peckers has asked all the questions I would be asking - especially what type of screed is it and was any heating commissioned first. suspect that once the information is available an independent inspection will not be needed as the answer(s) will come out in the course of the thread.

I would add one more question - what was the time interval between each stage of the job

[Burnsy]

Uncoupling shouldn't really be necessary with Porcs but Peckers has asked all the questions I would be asking - especially what type of screed is it and was any heating commissioned first. suspect that once the information is available an independent inspection will not be needed as the answer(s) will come out in the course of the thread.

I would add one more question - what was the time interval between each stage of the job

I'd be using a de coupling menbrane on that spec

[Ajax123]

I'd be using a de coupling menbrane on that spec

Not saying you shouldn't Burnsy - just saying that you shouldn't need one (assuming the screed is ok of course). Natural stone I would totally agree but procs tend to be so much harder and more durable toward UFH.

[jay]

looks like they got the information they needed and left us hanging
do hate posts like this

[Alan.P]

looks like they got the information they needed and left us hanging
do hate posts like this

Patience Jay, it's only been a day lol

[jay]

Patience Jay, it's only been a day lol

2 days now

[Scott]

He might be busy making new country life butter adverts?

[andy allen]

.......

[cornish_crofter]

I think it was the decoupling membrane that did it.

New screed with UFH.....