My Ceramic Tile Floor Is Cracking

Perhaps you dropped something heavy on the tile such as a cast iron skillet.

My ceramic tile floor is cracking.

Occasionally a crack along the joint between grout and tile appears to be a crack in the tile s surface. Grout hugs the edges of floor tiles and sometimes seamlessly blends with the tiles exposed surface. Or if your ceramic tile was installed over newly laid concrete the tile may crack as the concrete settles. Ceramic tile can develop hairline cracks for a variety of reasons.

In a case where cracking is minimal or has occurred in only a small number of tiles and or the floor is in a location where aesthetics don t matter to you the easiest most inexpensive solution is diy patching. Ceramic floor tiles especially larger tiles need an even distribution of mortar underneath them. Voids in the mortar under the tile allow the tile to flex and crack. If 1 or more of your floor or counter tiles have cracked whether from regular wear and tear or from having a heavy object dropped on them you don t necessarily need to replace the cracked tile.

In far more instances the crack was caused by anomalies under or around the tile. As a general rule tiles larger than 12x12 inches should have mortar applied to the back of the tile as well as the floor to help ensure adequate coverage. If replacing a tile isn t in your budget or if the tile isn t badly damaged you can repair the tile. If your tile s crack seems to run along the tile s outer edge closely inspect the crack to determine if it s really on the tile or just.

In many cases the crack is not the result of an inferior tile. Whatever the cause you can remedy the cracks yourself without having to hire a professional. However cracks wider than 1 8 inch will eventually transfer to the tile it notes. For a larger more visible area of cracked tile contact a tile contractor for expert help.