New Travertine Floor - small Hairline cracks !!!

[ferrisbueller]

Hi,

floor laid about 2 weeks ago. It looks great.

However, I'm not sure whether all things are OK

I think that some of the tiles seem to have very small hairline cracks about 2- 3 inches into the side of the tile. There are about 6 tiles with the slight crack.

I just need a bit of advice. Does travertine have slight hairlines in it naturally?? The reason I ask is that I can run my finger across and not feel a crack.

Is this to be expected - I have two young kids with feet like Rhinos !!

Also, we are looking at having a party to celebrate our new extension on the new floor - should we wait a bit longer before the floor being trampled on ??

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[brian c]

what was the floor substrate?

 

[Ajax123]

Your turn to take the words out of my mouth Brian C

Is there underfloor heating

 

[ferrisbueller]

On tne new extension it was laid on Concrete + thermal board.

On the other half onto floorboards with Hardy backer board.

 

[ferrisbueller]

PS - there is ufh (electric) but not turned on yet - giving it a good month before flicking the switch.

 

[Gazzer]

And which side has the cracks ?

 

[ferrisbueller]

Mainly on hardy backer side, but a few on concrete.

 

[ferrisbueller]

Oh, btw, the grout is fine - no cracks

 

[Gazzer]

Have the cracks been getting bigger. May be worth laying some sellotape over the crack, mark it on the tape and lay another piece of tape ove rthat and see if the crack gets bigger. To answer your question, Travertine can have all sorts of cracks and holes in them.

 

[ferrisbueller]

They are tiny, look a bit like veins in the stone.

I may just be over sensitive about any imperfections - it has cost me a shed load to get the floor!!

Will try your sellotape idea.

Thanks

 

[DHTiling]

Was a movement joint installed between the new floor and timber side...was any movement present at the join in substrates.?

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Who laid the floor - a Tiler/builder.
What adhesive was used and how long had the concrete been laid before tiling commenced?