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Discuss Hairline cracks on multiple tiles in a small kitchen floor with ufh in the Tiling on Underfloor Heating area at TilersForums. USA and UK Tiling Forum

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Hi everyone.....im new to the forum and I'm looking for some help and advice please.

I tiled a small (14 sq meter) kitchen floor with UFH (water pipe type and approx 75mm below concrete surface) approx 1 year ago.
Perimeter is allowed to expand, quality flexible self levelling compound and https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ used. At the time I decided to not use an uncoupling membrane considering the small area and perimeter.
Tiles were laid correctly in a solid bed.
However there are now multiple hairline cracks appearing throughout the floor and an unhappy customer......the hallway was tiled in the same manner with zero issue.
Am I at fault here for deciding against an uncoupling membrane or could this b an issue with the screed underneath.??

Hope ye can help thanks. Peter.
 
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Hi Peter, what tile type is it.
Hi Dave....thanks for the response.

They are white glased ceramic...450x450....3mm joint and no expansion joint considering the area.
Going by the customer budget I dont thing the tiles are on the high end of quality either though this is more than likely irrelevant.
 

Dave

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Hi Dave....thanks for the response.

They are white glased ceramic...450x450....3mm joint and no expansion joint considering the area.
Going by the customer budget I dont thing the tiles are on the high end of quality either though this is more than likely irrelevant.
Are they a white biscuit/body tile. ?
 

Dave

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Ok....its the typical dark amber/ brown ceramic colour.
Right ok. I’m only asking as a white bodied tile can crack slightly sometimes due rapid setting https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ depth and as it dries it pulls on the tile body. Thus cracking.
Back to your tiles. Are the cracks just on single tiles ir spread across a few in a line.
 
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Right ok. I’m only asking as a white bodied tile can crack slightly sometimes due rapid setting https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ depth and as it dries it pulls on the tile body. Thus cracking.
Back to your tiles. Are the cracks just on single tiles ir spread across a few in a line.
Spreading through 2 joining tiles at perimeter side and perpendicular to grout joint.
2 other singular tiles also and again at perimeter.

I didn't clarify either on the hallway but it is not adjoining the kitchen and the tiles are polished porcelain ( cream body and no issue )

I am suspicious too as to the operating of the UFH system. I am of the impression that when the weather is cold its cranked up abruptly ( suspect only not fact and proving this could be difficult).
 
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Should've properly covered yourself,once you seen the tiles, crackmat, backbuttered tiles, but obviously you're not a tiler and you're part of the problem we actually have while pricing jobs properly, you are the reason I'm awake,wasting my time, writing estimates at 1am, and obviously the customer goes with you, even though you turned up and didn't even know what you were looking at!, but you're cheaper! 😂
Sorry bud, you're by yourself on this one!
 
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Should've properly covered yourself,once you seen the tiles, crackmat, backbuttered tiles, but obviously you're not a tiler and you're part of the problem we actually have while pricing jobs properly, you are the reason I'm awake,wasting my time, writing estimates at 1am, and obviously the customer goes with you, even though you turned up and didn't even know what you were looking at!, but you're cheaper! 😂
Sorry bud, you're by yourself on this one!
Wow.... that's pretty dam harsh !

I'm a self employed tiler for over 18 years who is looking for a little help and knowledge....not an insult.

Yes theoretically membrane is to be used but in my experience where the area is very small and quality adhesives are used then there is and to date has been no issue until now.

However thank you for your opinion.....you have been most helpful.
 

Ajax123

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Spreading through 2 joining tiles at perimeter side and perpendicular to grout joint.
2 other singular tiles also and again at perimeter.

I didn't clarify either on the hallway but it is not adjoining the kitchen and the tiles are polished porcelain ( cream body and no issue )

I am suspicious too as to the operating of the UFH system. I am of the impression that when the weather is cold its cranked up abruptly ( suspect only not fact and proving this could be difficult).
Is it a concrete or a screed floor underneath. It could be due to the screed cracking. You'll need to lift the tiles to investigate. That'll tell you if its tile or screed related. You are correct about the effect of putting the heating on too hot too fast.
 
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Is it a concrete or a screed floor underneath. It could be due to the screed cracking. You'll need to lift the tiles to investigate. That'll tell you if its tile or screed related. You are correct about the effect of putting the heating on too hot too fast.
Thank you Ajax123.

It is a concrete floor.
I will be investing in about 3 weeks from now and can confirm then what is happening underneath.
 
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Wow.... that's pretty dam harsh !

I'm a self employed tiler for over 18 years who is looking for a little help and knowledge....not an insult.

Yes theoretically membrane is to be used but in my experience where the area is very small and quality adhesives are used then there is and to date has been no issue until now.

However thank you for your opinion.....you have been most helpful.
Peter, you've got to offer your clients all of the possible scenarios, in this case, you haven't! you've hoped for the best, therefore, you've absolutely "done" anybody who priced the job properly, my question would be, how many times you done this? I reckon loads! tile as a trade is rife, more than any other, of blaggers! Therefore, I'll stand by what I have said, and say,no, what I've said is not actually harsh, you're just not doing your job properly!
Therefore, in your "18 years experience" you should have known better to Just do the job properly, no matter the clients budget!
 
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Thank you Ajax123.

It is a concrete floor.
I will be investing in about 3 weeks from now and can confirm then what is happening underneath

Thank you Ajax123.

It is a concrete floor.
I will be investing in about 3 weeks from now and can confirm then what is happening underneath.
I'll confirm what's happening underneath now, without the need to lift the floor!
You've cut corners!
You've not used the right materials!
You should always fit a smart thermostat!
You are paying for the new floor!
And no, I'm not harsh?
The word you're looking for is
"correct"!
 

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