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Carpets, Lino & Flooring

Big gaps in screed causing floor tiles to crack

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.33 PM

Floor Tile broken at the edge of a kitchen, but in a way that looked like there wasn't any screed underneath as the two broken pieces pieces collapsed down 9mm (didn't stay flat). Lifted the broken two triangular pieces and sure enough, there was no screed underneath the part that cracked of an area around 16cm long (along the wall) and at least 8cm away from the wall also none under the skirting board. I could also put a credit card under the unbroken tile and swing it around. Is it normal/allowable for there to be this kind of gap in screed under floor tiles? Landlord is saying that it is our fault, but it feels like poor installation that is at fault here therefore not our liability. It almost looked like the screed had just been dotted on. Is this normal? What is the minimum allowable gap in screed for floor tiles? Any advice on how to prove this so that we don't lose our deposit?

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

4 Answers

Anonymous user

Poor installation. Should only be 3mm to 6mm gap between tile and floor adhesive.

Answered15 October 2020

LifeStyle Trade Flooring

Rating: 5 out of 5

Chislehurst

Any void under tiles will result in cracked tiles and adhesive should be covering complete tile. Landlords often want cheapest job available or get unqualified people to do job so the short answer is that the problem is due to BAD INSTALLATION PRACTICE . If it’s only a small kitchen it may be worth getting floor repaired or replaced at your own cost rather than lose deposit, not fair but at least you can move on and put it behind you

Answered16 October 2020

Clark Wood Flooring

Rating: 5 out of 5

Blairgowrie

Sounds like poor preparation to start with, was the sub-floor level? Adhesive should have been spread with a 4mm trowel or similar rather than dot and dabbed, should be even all over. When you spread the adhesive it should be an even thickness all over, stick the tile on, press down gently and firmly and then there will be no air gaps which would have caused the cracking.

Answered20 October 2020

A Fleming services

Rating: 5 out of 5

Manchester

That answer doesn't really make sense, , there should be no gap between tile and adhesive, hows it going to stick ??. And your right the tiler is at fault, its poor fitting, you can get away with it on wall tiles but not floor tiles, any tiler with half a brain should know thatm, . They call it "cutting corners "

Answered23 October 2020