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Cracked tiles over heated floor

Mark_43
Mark_43 Member Posts: 1
in THE MAIN WALL
I have a customer that has porcolin tiles laid over concrete flooring. The radiant tubing is in the concrete. Why is their tile cracking? I would think that the grout would crack. Is it the temperature of the floor or bad installation of tiles

Comments

  • Einsiedler_2
    Einsiedler_2 Member Posts: 93
    my guess

    I'd guess the latter.

    unless tiles are allowed to get real cold, and then recieve high temps repeatedly.

    I'm asuming that the inslab temps are within reason and not allowed to get too cold before cycling back on.

    The Tiles must have been installed incorrectly.

    EIN
  • jp_2
    jp_2 Member Posts: 1,935


    sounds like possible slab cracking. was an anti fracture membrane installed?

    edit:
    Ok give us some more info:
    is it a linear crack, winding crack?
    a single tile crack, multiple tiles?
    corner of the slab, middle?
    what is slab water temps?
    constant circulation or tsat?

    post a picture
  • PG
    PG Member Posts: 128
    Is that a requirement........

    or an option? What do you use ?

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  • John Shea
    John Shea Member Posts: 247
    I respectfully disagree.

    > I'd guess the latter.

    >

    > unless tiles are allowed

    > to get real cold, and then recieve high temps

    > repeatedly.

    >

    > I'm asuming that the inslab temps

    > are within reason and not allowed to get too cold

    > before cycling back on.

    >

    > The Tiles must have

    > been installed incorrectly.

    >

    > EIN



  • John Shea
    John Shea Member Posts: 247
    I respectfully disagree.

    I would be suspicious about this:

    "...the inslab temps are within reason and not allowed to get too cold before cycling back on. "

    Usually, if a tile cracks due to poor craftsmanship, it is because there's an insufficient amount of ashesive or cement under that particular tile, and weight is applied (someone steps or drops something heavy there.)

    That being said, if they are just cracking out of the blue, I would guess the slab temp difference is too great, or the thickness of cement from the tube to the tile is not great enough.
  • Paul Pollets
    Paul Pollets Member Posts: 3,665
    Fracture proof membranes

    should be used on all tile over concrete slabs (or Gypsum overpours). The material is pricey, but will prevent any tile or grout cracking. Is the slab on a temperature controller? (Mixing valve or injection..)

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