Horrible Tile Job | Failed Floor Tile | Columbia Missouri

This horrible tile job is a great example of what failed floor tile looks like. The overall tile installation doesn’t look horrible, but the functionality of it definitely is. A great tile job doesn’t have these issues and should never give you problems. Let’s look at what caused this floor to fail and see what you can do to avoid it on your next tile job.

1. Didn’t properly install the backerboard. Backerboard, or concrete board has to be set in a bed of thinset mortar. The mortar must be spread with a minimum 1/4”x1/4” notch trowel. Any mortar, including unmodified is fine for concrete board installation. The mortar isn’t used to attach the board to the plywood, rather to fully support the board and keep it from flexing.

2. Not enough fasteners. Every backerboard manufacturer that I’m aware of prints the required fastener amounts on the face of the board. Every “X”, indention, or other mark requires a screw or nail, no exceptions. The mortar and fasteners is what gives the backerboard it’s strength. It’s not either or, it’s both.

3. Alkali resistant tape not used on seams. Concrete boards are supposed to be spaced an 1/8” apart from each other on all sides. There’s also supposed to be a 1/4” gap left at the perimeter of the room as well. The gap between boards is filled with thinset mortar and covered with alkali resistant mesh tape. This makes the whole floor perform as one monolith unit. Reflective cracking can occur if this step is skipped. A reflective crack is one that appears directly above a joint in concrete board, just like in the video. Without taping the seams each board expands and contracts on its own and you have a bunch of individual floor sections instead of one large floor section.

Properly installed tile lasts a lifetime. That’s why we offer a lifetime warranty on all our tile jobs. Following industry standards as manufacturer instructions will ensure your job will last a lifetime as well.

What do you think of this job? Does it make sense how concrete board should be installed and what happens when it isn’t? I’d like to hear from you. Post your comment or questions below.

Certified Tile Installer #1329
(573) 289-1045
https://www.ejflooring.com
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