Crunchy Victorian tiles

[Clubster]

Hello all,

I had my hallway floor installes by a builder 3 years ago, dug out, underfloor heating and victorian tiles laid. Now they are crunching underneath in a part where the underfloor heating is (its not all the way underneath). No signs of cracking or lifting yet.

Ive found this thread on the forum:
Crunchy Edwardian Tiled Floor - http://www.tilersforums.com/threads/crunchy-edwardian-tiled-floor.79750/

So two questions if you could help please:
Is ardion 90 mix my best bet as per above thread?
Given the whole floor was installed by one builder, do I have any reason to speak to him about installation issues?

Thanks

 

[J Sid]

yes your first port of call should be your builder, once you start trying to put it right he probably wouldn't help you.

to help us get to the bottom of the problem what is the ufhing, electric or water?

any pics are good

 

[WetSaw]

I ,unfortunately, doubt that after 3 years the builder would do anything unless you have some form of written guarantee, I'd be happy to be proved wrong though.

 

[Clubster]

The underfloor heating is water.

My line of thought is the same re the builder..

Picture attached hopefully.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Why no skirting - have you had a flood?

 

[Clubster]

Actually yes but thats not the reason, ongoing, very slow, decorating.

The flood was from that door you can see and settled in a room at the top of the picture, as the floor is lower.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

So your saying the floods not the reason they are loose!

 

[Clubster]

Im not, I hadnt considered it tbh.... thought I had got off lightly from it...

I meant flood is not the reason for no skirting boards...

If flooding is the possible cause would the ardion 90 mix treatment still be my best bet?

 

[J Sid]

well done TJ, problem solved🙂

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Ok - depending on what adhesive was used and when the UFH was put on to dry it out, I'd suggest the crunching is the substrate breaking up!
Insurance job.
If it's likely to happen again a fully waterproof adhesive should be considered.

 

[Clubster]

The crunching is only in the part where the floor warms first (so far). Flooding was over 18 months ago. Dehumidifier was on straight to dry out the lower floor

 

[Time's Ran Out]

It can take 10 months to dry out with dehumidifier before you can tile on a flooded area and if the water got under the tiles after they were installed it will have released the bond.
Not your builders issue but you should contact your insurance company as it was obviously something that has come to light since loss adjusters report!

 

[Flintstone]

I'm quite amazed that you thought of that tj!
Almost certainly the cause, how come you didn't mention that in the first post ?

 

[Clubster]

The flood was from the water softener and affected two rooms. Hallway and lounge. Their wasn't much water in the hallway, about an inch in the lounge.

Just realised the insurers don't know I had a flood 2yrs ago I never claimed for anything...

 

[Clubster]

Thanks for help TJ and all

 

[stone tiler]

Where abouts in Surrey are you? Someone on here might be able to help

 

[Clubster]

Weybridge.

Is the likely solution to pull up crunchy area, sort out substrate and re-lay tiles?

 

[Flintstone]

Yes that's probably the best thing