British Ceramic Tile Problems

[Dave Ramsden]

I have been to see another tilers customer tonight regarding "tile staining".

On arrival I met a lovely woman who couldn't praise her tiler enough. I was shown the area in question, a small wet room tiled in 8"x8" British Ceramic Tile Matt White Finish. Nice job until the client sprayed the shower over the walls to reveal blue, vien-like staining across tiles on two walls.
On closer inspection I noticed at the center of each "vien stain" was a hairline fracture in the glaze which I assume is letting water through and causing the biscuit of the tile to stain temporarily.
Has anyone else had a problem with this tile as no-one seems to have an anser and clearly the situation needs resolving.

Personally, I have got nothing to do with the job in question but as an outsider looking in, Id like to help everyone concerned.

I have attached some pictures

[Dave]

Oooooow not good.. did you say the glaze was fractured or the tile biscuit..?

and what adhesive was used.?

[kilty55]

went to see a similar job where brit ceramics had been used in a domestic shower area about 6 months ago

wasnt stained right across the tiles however when you sprayed water from the shower on the tiles all the edges went discoloured like the opnes in your pics

there was also 4 tiles in non water areas which were permanently stained like that around the edges

tiler had also been back to rectify 4 prior to that as well

bit of a mystery tbh,,job was fine as well but the customer not happy

[Phil Hobson]

Sounds like it could be another case of crazing? Not your usual type I grant you, but possible

[Dave Ramsden]

Just the glaze dave.

Its sounds like a similar problem Kilty, the cracking/staining is curved, straight, point to point, basically all over the place but only on two walls. Under the shower head the "staining" takes longest to disappear.

On inspection today I have noticed hairline cracks down tiles on the return of the partition that makes the entrance to the wet room. These cracks run downwards and when wet... hey presto, they stain just like the tiles on the other walls.

If the glaze crazes that easily the biscuit of the tile will surely be weakened also.

IMO, thinly applied glaze = cost cutting...

[kilty55]

i have used these tiles a number of times without issue but was baffled when i saw the shaded ones on that job i lookd at

[timeless john]

In most cases the tile manufacturers usually state that 'crazing is an inherent feature of ceramic glazed tiles, however in your case I would suggest that the problem has definitely affected the suitability/performance and would get the manufacturers involved.