2 cracked tiles on a new bathroom refurb - advice please - TilersForums.com

[greenpepper]

I had my bathroom refurbished 5 weeks ago and I’ve just noticed that there’s a hairline crack going through 2 tiles and the grout line in-between. I don’t think this was there when it was completed but I’ve noticed it now as I’ve just had my first bath so it could have been like this for weeks.

The tiles are 30x10cm flat metro tiles. The 2 cracked tiles are on hardiebacker board that was fitted as part of the refurb. However, the tiler told me he was going to use extra adhesive on the side of this wall to pack it out to avoid having small tile cuts in the alcove next to it. Therefore, about where the cracks are is where it transitions from hardiebacker to a thicker layer of tile adhesive.

I suspect the cracks are caused by the thicker layer of adhesive. What's the likely cause, shrinkage? movement?

See the pictures below, one of them shows the gap in the alcove that would have needed the extra adhesive.

How to fix this issue, swap the 2 tiles out? Can anything be done to avoid this reoccurring?

Appreciate any advice.

 

[Lboogie]

Movement or the adhesive. You'll never know until taking it up

 

[Lynton]

Is the bath moving? Those tiles are right on the bath, could have been caused by movement in the bath tub when it’s being used.

 

[Michael_Hall]

I had my bathroom refurbished 5 weeks ago and I’ve just noticed that there’s a hairline crack going through 2 tiles and the grout line in-between. I don’t think this was there when it was completed but I’ve noticed it now as I’ve just had my first bath so it could have been like this for weeks.

The tiles are 30x10cm flat metro tiles. The 2 cracked tiles are on hardiebacker board that was fitted as part of the refurb. However, the tiler told me he was going to use extra adhesive on the side of this wall to pack it out to avoid having small tile cuts in the alcove next to it. Therefore, about where the cracks are is where it transitions from hardiebacker to a thicker layer of tile adhesive.

I suspect the cracks are caused by the thicker layer of adhesive. What's the likely cause, shrinkage? movement?

See the pictures below, one of them shows the gap in the alcove that would have needed the extra adhesive.

How to fix this issue, swap the 2 tiles out? Can anything be done to avoid this reoccurring?

Appreciate any advice.

View attachment 113717

View attachment 113720

View attachment 113719 did they use paste adhesive, or cement based, as building up beyond their tollerance with either can cause adhesive to shrink and cause cracking in the tiles.