QUESTION

Cracks in Tile - Our home was completed in March 2005. We paid thousands extra to have a ceramic tile floor installed downstairs (appx 800 sq feet).

Fifteen tiles have cracked at different times in 5 different areas. Cracks have appeared over night, including a crack over 40 inches long.

The builder claims that the cracks our because of the house settling and that it is not a standard practice to install membrane on the foundation prior to tile installation. The builder refuses to do any repairs.

I believe that the absence of a membrane is causing the excessive cracking.

Is installation of a membrane over the foundation an industry standard?

Could this amount of cracking indicate improper installation?

Do you have a local inspector who I could work with?

ANSWER

Answer -  The floor tile should not crack for any reason if it was installed correctly.  If there are existing shrinkage cracks in the concrete slab, before the tile is installed, it should be treated with a crack isolation membrane.

If the crack is a structural crack then the membrane will not work.  The structural crack would suggest the concrete slab is faulty and needs repaired.

There is no standard for ceramic tile that says you have to have a crack isolation membrane on all floors.  If the builder knew the concrete slab was likely to have shrinkage cracks then they should have offered you a crack isolation membrane for protection.  The cracking could be caused by other problems in the tile installation.  Either way it suggests the tile was not installed correctly.

We do have a CTaSC Inspectors located locally in most markets in the USA.  For inspection services go to our Forensic Services section.