Tile Flooring
Whether you’re assessing an existing tile floor or verifying the work of fitters, you need to know what you’re looking for. Here are a few potential issues to look out for.
- Check the Delivery
It’s always a good idea to be at home when the delivery of tiles arrives. Count the packs to ensure nothing has been left in the warehouse or on the vehicle. Check the product names and codes against your order confirmation. Some tiles look very similar to others, so picking errors in warehouses are common. - Check for Loose Tiles
Once your floor is in place, walk over it to look for loose tiles — they may not appear loose to the naked eye. A loose tile might move or make a grinding noise when pressure is exerted on it.
There are several reasons why floor tiles might come loose. In some cases, atmospheric conditions weaken the adhesive underneath. Movements in the floor itself might also contribute to the loosening of tiles. If you’re inspecting a ceramic tile floor, bear in mind that hot, humid conditions can cause them to expand over time. - Check for Cracked Tiles
Again, cracks may not always be immediately visible to the naked eye — especially if you have slate, marble or patterned tiles. This means you have to get down on the floor to inspect each tile individually.
One of the reasons for cracked tiles is poor workmanship during installation. The subfloor must be installed correctly from the outset, otherwise may become uneven. If you’re inspecting an existing floor, replace the problem tiles as quickly as possible. However, you might need to ask a flooring specialist to investigate the root cause first.
- Check for Cracked or Missing Grouting
The grouting that binds your floor together should be smooth and even. Holes, gaps, cracks and untreated areas could lead to premature tile damage. These areas can allow water into your
floor — causing widespread damage. - Check the General Standard of Workmanship
A well-fitted tile floor always looks clean, uniform, flat and stable. Tile spacing should be perfect, and grouting should be smooth. Pay special attention to areas by baseboards and around objects. Cutting tiles to perfection is tricky, and even the smallest of mistakes can ruin a floor’s look. - Check the Floor is Flat
Before a tile is laid, work should be done to ensure the floor underneath is perfectly flat. If it isn’t, tiles can get damaged prematurely. A tell-tale sign of an uneven floor is pooling. If you notice pools of water after washing the floor, there may be uneven areas.
Tip: Check your tile floor is even with a spirit level app on your smartphone.
