Expert Answers in Movement Joints

ANSWER - When there is a problem it normally is not due to one deficiency, but due to multiple compounding deficiencies. You state that the peel and stick moisture barrier was properly installed.  If if…

ANSWER - Tiles tent for several compounding reasons. Lack of Movement Joints (also known as expansion joints) - When tiles absorb moisture or gain temperature they expand.  The more porous the tile the more it…

ANSWER - There is a good chance your tile floor has tented.  This is a condition when the tile is installed without resilient movement joints at the perimeters of the rooms, and then the tile…

ANSWER -  The TCNA EJ171 standards for installing movement joints in tile work are general recommendations.  There is an ASTM C1472 standard for calculating movement in movement joints, so you can consider the coefficient of…

ANSWER - Unfortunately it is difficult for consumers to determine how to select qualified tile installers.  Most installers haven't had any formal education on how to install tile nor do they know what the industry…

ANSWER - Normally it isn't the cold that leads to a tile tenting, it is the higher temperatures or moisture that causes expansion in tiles that can lead to tile tenting if the tile wasn't…

ANSWER - When tile debonds and buckles up we do refer to that as tile tenting.  The cause of tile tenting is normally due to several compounding conditions.  First is that normally the tile installation…

ANSWER - I assume that the crackling noise that you are hearing can also be considered a squeaking sound that some say they hear on tile floors over wood sub-floors. Because you say that the…

Answer:   If I understand you correctly, the wood sub-floor was squeaking before you installed the tile over it.   That means that the plywood sheets were not solid and there were weak spots on them.  Screwing…

ANSWER - You are correct to install caulked movement joints at the perimeters and inside vertical corners of the tile installation.  Caulk should be an ASTM C920 silicone sealant per TCNA EJ171 standards.

The ceramic…