Hi
Not strictly a DIYer but have come to learn a bit about tiling over the last few weeks. We had a large open plan area tiled over a wet UFH system. Our tiles are from Porcelanosa (don't ask, the wife of course!), 60 by 60 format. We were recommended to use the butech antifracture mat and this was specified on an M40 spec. The tiles were laid over May and into June. We realised within a few weeks that the grout was showing signs of break up and some of the tiles had visible movement on their corners. Most of the tiles sound hollow or even loose.
Initially it was thought that the tiler had made a bad job and he'd not used enough adhesive in places. However, in the areas he tiled without a membrane or mat, the tiles are solidly adhesed.
The builders, to be fair, have taken ownership of the problem. The tiler is devastated and has agreed to come back and fix. We have started taking the whole floor up.
The main technical man from Butech/porcelanosa UK has been back and provided a report. Initially this was critical of the tiler and he claimed tiles had not been 'back butted' and no adhesive on the edges. A couple of tilers have looked at it and have a different take, stating that there is a 'full bed' and without the mat the tiles would be stuck solid.
We are now in the process of taking up the whole floor and salvaging as many tiles as possible. It is apparent that the tiles lift up very easily off the mat. There is a lot of new fangled product on the market but the fundamental of a tile being stuck to the floor hasn't changed. It seems that the decoupling mat just makes the tile layer 'float' and the only thing bonding the tiles is the grout.
It seems the evidence is starting to point towards a material failure but it may be rather hard to get a large organisation like Butech to admit this.
Any experience with this product that you can share would be most welcome.
Chris
Not strictly a DIYer but have come to learn a bit about tiling over the last few weeks. We had a large open plan area tiled over a wet UFH system. Our tiles are from Porcelanosa (don't ask, the wife of course!), 60 by 60 format. We were recommended to use the butech antifracture mat and this was specified on an M40 spec. The tiles were laid over May and into June. We realised within a few weeks that the grout was showing signs of break up and some of the tiles had visible movement on their corners. Most of the tiles sound hollow or even loose.
Initially it was thought that the tiler had made a bad job and he'd not used enough adhesive in places. However, in the areas he tiled without a membrane or mat, the tiles are solidly adhesed.
The builders, to be fair, have taken ownership of the problem. The tiler is devastated and has agreed to come back and fix. We have started taking the whole floor up.
The main technical man from Butech/porcelanosa UK has been back and provided a report. Initially this was critical of the tiler and he claimed tiles had not been 'back butted' and no adhesive on the edges. A couple of tilers have looked at it and have a different take, stating that there is a 'full bed' and without the mat the tiles would be stuck solid.
We are now in the process of taking up the whole floor and salvaging as many tiles as possible. It is apparent that the tiles lift up very easily off the mat. There is a lot of new fangled product on the market but the fundamental of a tile being stuck to the floor hasn't changed. It seems that the decoupling mat just makes the tile layer 'float' and the only thing bonding the tiles is the grout.
It seems the evidence is starting to point towards a material failure but it may be rather hard to get a large organisation like Butech to admit this.
Any experience with this product that you can share would be most welcome.
Chris
