Cracked Tile
Cracked Tile
(OP)
I have a contractor that would like us to review cracked tile at an new residence that has just been built. The tile is something like travertine, softer than some with 16" square tiles, placed diagonal to the wood I-joists below. There is also 1 1/2" of lightweight gyp-crete between the top of ply and bottom of tile bed. The wood joists are at 16"o.c. with 3/4" T&G plywood perpendicular. The contractor stated that the cracks seem to be at 4 ft o.c. located near the plywood joints and that they occur randomly along the joist spans. The total deflection of the joists is around L/700 for a 17'-0" span.
Not sure if this is more of a tile installation problem or one due to the specifics of the supporting structure? Maybe some sort of differential shrinkage between the gyp-crete and the mortar bed of the tile?
Any ideas?
Thanks for any input!
Not sure if this is more of a tile installation problem or one due to the specifics of the supporting structure? Maybe some sort of differential shrinkage between the gyp-crete and the mortar bed of the tile?
Any ideas?
Thanks for any input!






RE: Cracked Tile
RE: Cracked Tile
Hence look at the deflection of the plywood. The contractor is signalling the joists as hardpoints, hence the problem could be just in the plywood, and maybe could be reinforced to lesser deflections, something to be studied.
RE: Cracked Tile
Spats, I did find some more info online that stated the same. They call it a crack isolation membrane or anti-fracture membrane that needs to be installed between the gyp-crete and the tile bed to separate any minor cracks that may occur in the gyp-crete layer from extending up into the tile. I will have to check with the contractor and see if this may be the issue.
RE: Cracked Tile
A crack isolation membrane will correct this issue for the most part.