BAL Council installed balcony tiles without any grout...? - Tile Advice

[Tardigrade]

Hello!

Council (freeholder) gave retiled my balcony as they had to fix the one above me so figured they'd do it at the same time. They finished ages ago but I only just walked out on to it (crazy I know) and noticed there are just big gaps between the tiles, and nothing in them. I'd expect some kind of grout? Also, some of them "give way" when stepped on...

 

[Blunt Tool]

Are you sure they are tiles? They look more like steel hence why not grouted

 

[WetSaw]

And they look like they're stuck down with mastic/silicone hence the movement.

 

[Tardigrade]

Sorry in my head they are "metal tiles" Wrong forum? You gus saying this is how it should be? Just seems odd to me with the gaps. Just asking for rubbish to go in the gaps never mind water...

 

[Tardigrade]

Oh I'm a numpty - I guess metal needs a large expansion gap?

 

[Blunt Tool]

Oh I'm a numpty - I guess metal needs a large expansion gap?

You can grout them, think it’s called welding!

 

[craig89]

They look like promenade tiles to me. specifically used on asphalt covered balconies and left un-grouted so as to allow drainage through the joints and under the tiles at the same time.
They are normally stuck down using a polymer modified adhesive that is applied to the back of the tile in a W style configuration (hence the water can drain through the under side of the tile and (normally) into a corner drain outlet.

 

[Tardigrade]

Thanks all

 

[CJ]

Looks like they have been fixed with expanding foam?

 

[Julian 'Farmer' Bonsall]

Bottom left tile looks like it has a crack in it (top right corner)? The coating maybe?

 

[craig89]

Looks like they have been fixed with expanding foam?

It is a type of expanding foam but comes in a plastic bottle. It’s applied to the back of the tile and expands as it reacts to contact with the asphalt. You’ll never get a perfect finish but it’ll normally do a good job of making a balcony non-slip.