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Tiling

Will there be a problem if there is an air gap under a latex screed?

Anonymous user 16/03/2024 - 2.32 PM

We have had underfloor heating fitted. On top of the pipes (fitted into insulated polystyrene) there has been a latex screed put down to help level floor. The tiler has now put a thin ‘matting’ (don’t know what it’s called) and has now started to put tile adhesive and lay the tiles. They are concerned that areas of the floor when tapped sound hollow and think the latex may not have settled properly. They’ve said that once the heating is on the tiles could lift as there may be slight movement. Our builder has had a look but thinks that the latex is ok and that the matting is applied to help this. We don’t know whether to carry on with the tiling or take everything up. Any advice would be great. Thank you.

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4 Answers

Chrimes Tiling Company

Rating: 5 out of 5
Kenilworth
Nothing should sound hollow on a floor. Has the polystyrene been mechanically fixed or not ? That may well be problem. It could be the latex hasn,t bonded due to several reasons but unlikely. Do not carry on tiling it.
Answered27 July 2020
1

Excellent Spaces

Rating: 5 out of 5
Malvern
There is no information about the subfloor provided in the query. It sounds like Ditra matting is being used on top of the Latex, which I suspect is flexibke levelling compound. I'd suggest simply asking the tiler for more detail about the 'layering' of products that he has used. Manufactuers of the 'polystyrene' will have recomended how the 'build-up' under the tiles be undertaken, which he should be able to provide in written form or provide a link for you to check online, or contact the technical department of the manufacturer of the polystyrene for detailed information about the correct build-up... I hope this helps...
Answered27 July 2020
0

Anonymous user

Looking at the answers above these people are being slightly dramatic as long as the ditra Matt is glued in properly and the tiles are glued down proper it will be fine been doing this for 30 years
Answered27 July 2020
0

Anonymous user

Simple as this. When trapped air gets hot. It expands and causes cracking. Even with dittra matting down. Hope this helps Shane
Answered27 July 2020
0