Tile water absorbtion experiment

[Qwerty]

Following on from the discussion in another thread about not fitting ceramic tiles in a shower/ bathroom I have decided to conduct a little experiment.

I plan on testinghow much water tiles absorb.

I have 3 tiles to test-
-Glazed ceramic (10mm)
-Soft glazed Grade 3 Porcelain (11mm)
-Full bodied Grade 5 Porcelain (10mm)

Each tile weighs 304 grams so the water absorbtion will be easier to see and calculate as a %.

I will submerge the pieces for 24hrs then remove, wipe down excess and weigh. I will record each weight and then boil all 3 pieces for 15 mins. Somebody suggested water absorbtion for Porcelain is under boiling water so in the interests of fairness I will blast them for 15 mins to see if that makes any difference.

This could be a total failure and prove nothing but I have a feeling not.

Let the experiment commence!!!

Tile 1

Tile 2

Tile 3

Tiles submerged at 8pm last night....

And no, a Rubi wasn't used to cut Tile 2...... I had to chip of a gram to make the weight even !!!!!

 

[Andy Allen]

Are you totally submerging them or just one end..?

BTW .....good on you and look forward to the results.

(Hope you had a white coat on, ear defenders and safety glasses)...

 

[Dumbo]

Are you sure your scales aren't stuck

 

[Qwerty]

Haha, no I forgot the white coat. White pants count?

Yes, tiles fully submerged (you can even see the bubble on the edge of Tile 1) and No, scales not stuck!!!!

 

[Kyle Knowles]

Ohh I like this.... more experiments needed has anyone got any suggestions this should be a regular thing

 

[Andy Allen]

Well..... I'm experimenting the effects on the body from having Fridays off...

All for science off course...

 

[Flintstone]

Great test!i expect the ceramic will take on half its own dry weight at least

 

[Flintstone]

I've left off cuts of ceramic outside before and when I've gone back to them after a few rainy days, you could see the moisture in them from the face, behind the glaze, be good to compare that ceramic to a dry ceramic for appearance

 

[Old Mod]

Top job Geoff!

 

[Kyle Knowles]

I'd like to see all the brands of leveling systems test to see the breaking strain of the clips and see what the strongest are

 

[Qwerty]

I'd like to see all the brands of leveling systems test to see the breaking strain of the clips and see what the strongest are

You up for doing it?

 

[Kyle Knowles]

I was thinking about it but I've not got any weights to use to find the breaking point or even a torque wrench to get breaking force

 

[Bathfix Bob]

Good work Plan Tec

I would also like to see tests done on flexible adhesives and grout and what they actually mean by 'flexible'.
I mean say you tile and peice of plasterboard lent up against the garage wall and then bend it I can't see the grout taking much punishment to crack it.

 

[Qwerty]

Apologies for not posting results up tonight...... truth is I popped out for a couple and totally forgot!! I will be on it in the morning!

 

[Time's Ran Out]

And I've waited in all night in anticipation of your findings - humbug!

 

[Qwerty]

After a 36 hour soak, the test results are in!!!!....

-Glazed ceramic 43 grams heavier
(14.14% absorbtion)

-Soft glazed Grade 3 Porcelain 1 gram heavier (0.33% absorbtion)

-Full bodied Grade 5 Porcelain 0 grams heavier (0% absorbtion)

In all quite an interesting test. To be honest the ceramic tile is not as porous as some (metros for example!) But you can clearly see the denser the tile, the less water it absorbs!

I will boil them tonight, but I personally don't think it will make any difference.

I will then let them dry out and measure the time it takes to reach dry weight!

I fancy watching paint dry after that!!

 

[PaulSmith]

Great result.

 

[Italy]

some years ago, have had a client, that has put the tiles of the balcony, in the freezer for 15 days.
he wanted to see, if they withstood the cold. I have asked him if you/he had put her in water before, him to said of no.
and then it is useless.

 

[Qwerty]

Ok, boil test completed........ made no difference at all, apart from scratching the pan according to the wife!!!

I now have them drying out and will check every hour until fully dried out

 

[Old Mod]

Ok I can't contain myself any longer, boil them, wtf?
What's that all about Geoffrey?

 

[Qwerty]

Someone suggested it was how water absorbtion is tested by manufacturers. Was worth a shot but made no difference. All in the interest of science dear boy!!!

 

[Old Mod]

Someone suggested it was how water absorbtion is tested by manufacturers

I can just see them boiling a 3.2m x 1.6m tile!

 

[WetSaw]

There's me thinking it was to replicate a steam room

 

[hmtiling]

Someone suggested it was how water absorbtion is tested by manufacturers. Was worth a shot but made no difference. All in the interest of science dear boy!!!

ASTM C373 - 16e1 Standard Test Methods for Determination of Water Absorption and Associated Properties by Vacuum Method for Pressed Ceramic Tiles and Glass Tiles and Boil Method for Extruded Ceramic Tiles and Non-tile Fired Ceramic Whiteware Products - https://www.astm.org/Standards/C373.htm

 

[Flintstone]

I like a bloody hot shower, can't be far off boiling point!

 

[Qwerty]

Cheers Harry! See Marc ....... I'm not going mad!!

 

[hmtiling]

Cheers Harry! See Marc ....... I'm not going mad!!

I thought i'd overstepped the geek threshold there

 

[Old Mod]

I thought i'd overstepped the geek threshold there

I'll wait for the day when I want to loose the will to live, then I'll take a look Harry.

 

[MTiler]

Surely just the front of the tiles shouldve been exposed to water as thats all that is exposed in a bathroom/shower? What does soaking them prove in regards to tiling?

 

[hmtiling]

Surely just the front of the tiles shouldve been exposed to water as thats all that is exposed in a bathroom/shower? What does soaking them prove in regards to tiling?

Need for tanking in swimming pools?