Cracked Floor Tile
In many cases the crack is not the result of an inferior tile.
Cracked floor tile. There are a couple of ways to fix cracked tiles a cover up easy and the replacement of cracked tiles best method. If you have ceramic glazed tile and cracks here is an easy fix. 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. In far more instances the crack was caused by anomalies under or around the tile.
Voids in the mortar under the tile allow the tile to flex and crack. Find a nail polish or a combination of polishes and mix to match your tile. In damp areas such as the bathroom repairing cracked tile should be done sooner rather than later to reduce the risk of water damage. Tiles provide a durable covering for floors walls and backsplashes.
Or if your ceramic tile was installed over newly laid concrete the tile may crack as the concrete settles. Cracked floor tile can be an opening for moisture to get through to your sub floor especially if it s in a bathroom. This short video shows how you can hide a tile floor crack using caulk and paint if needed. It s possible that soil movement or water has caused your foundation to shift move or even be pushed in an upward direction.
Perhaps you dropped something heavy on the tile such as a cast iron skillet. Aside from being unsightly cracked floor tile creates an opening that can allow moisture to reach the subfloor. Cracked tiles on floors and walls is a problem because it can be difficult to track down the source of the crack. Ceramic floor tiles especially larger tiles need an even distribution of mortar underneath them.
Ceramic tile can develop hairline cracks for a variety of reasons. Sometimes hairline cracks in tile floors are one of the first tell tale indications that soil or moisture is affecting a foundation. It goes without saying the problems you have if the broken tiles are in your shower or bath. While most types of tile can handle a lot of abuse they are not indestructible and hairline cracks may occur.
To discover the cause of your tile s crack you ll need to carefully inspect the crack s size and pattern. Cracked floor tiles aren t cause for immediate panic.