QUESTION

Cracks in Concrete Substrate - I have purchased 2800 sq feet of travertine tile to install in a remodeled 30 year old home. Just recently I learned that the cement has large areas that have settled unevenly as the house is 25 yeas old. The settling is normal but there appears to be many oleander roots under, in and around the foundation, and it appears possible that they may be responsible for some of the shifting. Can we still lay our travertine throughout the house and what is the best subfloor to set the tile to prevent cracking from possible future movement? Thanks for your advise.

ANSWER

ANSWER - You can not install your travertine or any type of tile over a concrete foundation that has cracks without first fixing the problem.

If it is simply shrinkage cracks that only move horizontally then there are a variety of installation systems that can be installed over it using a Crack Isolation membrane.

If the crack is a structural crack that will move up and down then the membrane will not work. The concrete foundation would first have to be repaired.

I suspect from your message that you may have structural cracks and you need to remove the roots and stabilize the concrete. You need to have your situation fully evaluated before your proceed.

As consultants we do evaluate potential installations and provide written architectural installation specifications and quality control services for an hourly fee.

There are many good installation systems, but there is one called Schluter Uncoupling system that works well with troubled floors, but it too is not recommended for going over structural cracks. For the website addresses of the manufacturers of installation products go to our Installation Products.