QUESTION

Ceramic Tile Grout is Cracking and Crumbling - I would like to know how much it would cost to have someone investigate an installation failure. I had ceramic tile installed a few months ago and the grout is now cracking and crumbling severely.

ANSWER

ANSWER - If the ceramic tiles were installed correctly the grout should not be cracking and crumbling.

Chances are your installation is over a wood subfloor and/or backer board. Maybe the floor was prepared incorrectly. Maybe there is too much deflection in the floor that is contributing to the problem. Maybe the grout that was used was not mixed or applied correctly that has compromised its physical properties and is contributing to the problem.

When there is a failure it generally is not due to one deficiency, but rather is due to many deficiencies compounding the situation and leading to the failure.

To determine the cause of the failure and to determine how to properly remediate the problem would require an intrusive forensic inspection. We do have an inspector in your area who can perform the inspection. Our CTaSC inspectors perform inspections for me following my guidelines during the inspections. During and after the inspections I manage the process and evaluate the findings, do any necessary research of industry standards, and then provide recommendations as necessary.

As expert witnesses and forensic investigators we do charge for our time during the whole process. Depending on the extent of your problem, it may or may not be practical for you to employ our full forensic and quality control services. For more information, go to our Services page.