Hairline cracks in terracotta tiles that is seeping some sort of dark brown oil

[kruno]

Guy,

I am not involved in this business at all, so I would appreciate any help or advice pls. I have noticed very recently that hairline cracks in my kitchen floor have started to seep a dark brown, sticky oil. There has been no spillages, so it is a complete mystery. The tile isn't lifting - I'm wondering if the chipboard has somehow started to rot - having googled it I've found that chipboard is made with linseed oil - obviously I need to stop this as we are treading oil into other rooms - many thanks in anticipation for your help in this matter -
Cheers

John

 

[Tony_C]

I'd be more worried about the cracks and that it was tiled on to chipboard.

I can't help with the oil situation though, do you have any images?

 

[kruno]

Hi Tony, I say chipboard, but I'm guessing tbh - the floor was laid 12 - 15 years ago and we have never had a problem - there is no movement in our area and the tiles are lifting - the cracks I think are probably wear and tear - I've attached pictures showing the oil
Cheers for your help - much appreciated.

[automerge]1569141796[/automerge]
Tiles aren't lifting

 

[Dumbo]

Your floor is failing you jave lots of cracked grout. Do you have an oil fired boiler . Ie do you have a leaky pipe .
If not I'm suspecting a water leak as this moisture oil or oily water has to come from somewhere

 

[kruno]

No oil fired boiler - there is no obvious water leak, it's only coming trough the cracks in the tiles - it's not coming through cracks in the grout - I'm assuming if there is a water leak it would come through all the cracks - not just the tile -

 

[J Sid]

They look like Porcelain tiles to me and as Jerry said the grout is cracking meaning your floor has or is moving and failing.

 

[Dumbo]

You're tiles look like terracotta coloured ceramics .
There is no moisture in your tiles .
There shouldn't be any moisture in your subfloor . You have something going on .
Go into a builders merchant and feel some chipboard and feel some ply , it is dry , moisture is being generated . Unless it's your washing water coming back up through .

 

[kruno]

I've had another good look at the grout - looks like that is wet as well - must have a leak - I suppose the only way to resolve it is to take the floor up - really appreciate your help guys - thank you

 

[Dumbo]

You know it makes sense .

 

[kruno]

Lol - do you think my insurance will cover it

 

[Dumbo]

Do come back to us and let us know what you find
[automerge]1569145757[/automerge]

Lol - do you think my insurance will cover it

I believe if it's a water leak or something I would think so , but if it has just failed and that is washing water I doubt it .

 

[kruno]

Ok cheers mate - will come back and let you know what it is - I'm sure my insurance company will wriggle like an eel - I'm just hoping the leak is in the kitchen and not under another floor downstairs - if it is I've told the missus crimbo is cancelled

 

[Tony_C]

Nice new floor might be just what she wanted for Christmas

Fingers crossed it's no major issues under there 🤞

 

[kruno]

She's getting a new ironing board this Christmas - will let you know what those snakes at the insurance company say - btw where are you based

 

[Dumbo]

Do you use a steam cleaner

 

[kruno]

Yes we do, once a month - could that be the problem

 

[Dumbo]

I believe and this my own personal stance but don't know if others will agree . Any minor imperfection in the grout and the steamer will drive moisture through it and then after a while that will have an effect in that area which will allow more steam through which will have a larger effect, and then it keeps compounding

 

[kruno]

Ok so if we stop using the steamer you think it might dry out eventually - would can we do to speed the drying process along, if anything

 

[Dumbo]

I think you will find it's to late for you floor , it may dry but you will wet wash it somehow and water will get in cracked grout , I'm more thinking about your next floor

 

[kruno]

I think you are right - time to take it up and repair any damage and relay a new one - thanks for all your help mate -

 

[Tony_C]

She's getting a new ironing board this Christmas - will let you know what those snakes at the insurance company say - btw where are you based

If you were asking me I'm based just outside Glasgow. If your looking for someone to maybe help with the work there is a directory on here Find a Tiler. It isn't fully updated yet you could alternatively post the job in this section Tiler required 😉

 

[Dan]

If you were asking me I'm based just outside Glasgow. If your looking for someone to maybe help with the work there is a directory on here Find a Tiler. It isn't fully updated yet you could alternatively post the job in this section Tiler required 😉

Spot on post mate thank you!