cracked grout

[lubo78]

I tiled a hall floor 5 months ago onto 15m plywood.
i have received a call stating that the grout has now started to crack.

i used the correct pci grout as advised by my local tile shop.

i am unsure where i stand.

can anyone help.

thank you

 

[DHTiling]

what type of floor substrate is the ply onto..?

 

[lubo78]

just onto floorboards.

 

[DHTiling]

cheers.....what class of adhesive did you use.....and what method of fixing..

 

[lubo78]

thanks for your help dave

the adhesive was pci tilefast 6 rapid flex. plywood was screweddown with screws 6 inches apart.

customer says tiles are solid....

 

[DHTiling]

cheers.......

how long was it before the customer walked on the floor after grouting..?

 

[lubo78]

really appreciate this dave...

i told him to wait 2 days.............

is it possible it isnt something ive done....? not sure what tosay to him...

 

[DHTiling]

mmmmmmm...

Did you screw the floorboards down as well.....?

 

[lubo78]

no.

just screwed ply onto existing floorboards, but they appeared solid....

 

[DHTiling]

Just trying to see if any expansion could have cracked it.....

The boards should really have been screwed down as they could lift up from the nails expanding up and down with thermal expansion...hot/cold ...

Or it could be deflection if no noggins were inserted between the joists...

mmmmm

I think it would be wise to view the floor first....do a sounding test on the tiles to check for any hollowness and step on the tile edges of the cracked grout area's and see if there is any deflection...

 

[lubo78]

will do........

thanx dave.....

 

[DHTiling]

no probs........come back to this thread once you have visited the floor and let us know the outcome...and then we can advise from there..


good luck..

 

[Viceroy]

You didnt use the pci tilefast 6 rapid flex (White) by any chance ?

 

[lubo78]

used the grey grout....

 

[Viceroy]

pci tilefast 6 rapid flex (White) is Adhesive !

 

[Olz]

the adhesive was pci tilefast 6 rapid flex.

pci tilefast 6 rapid flex (White) is Adhesive !

I think he knows that viceroy, I think Dave was thinking along the lines of the adhesive not being correct and debonding.

 

[DHTiling]

Oli...viceroy is also ( i think ) going to mention a few probs that pci have with the white version of that adhesive...:yikes:

 

[Olz]

Just trying to clear up any confusion before it arises. Whats wrong with the PCI then, never used it myself.

 

[DHTiling]

A lot of fixers have had probs with it not setting properly and debonding from tiles as well....just seems to be the white version though..??????

 

[White Room]

someone on here just uses the grey addy

 

[Viceroy]

Spot On Dave !
Dont Use It (White) they deffo have probs with it !