Whether you choose glass, terracotta or ceramic tiles, tile flooring is a great design option for your home. This floor selection is relatively low maintenance and is versatile enough to compliment just about any style. However, unlike some other flooring options, tile is susceptible to cracking. A single crack in the tile can make your entire floor look bad. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to help minimize this issue and keep your floor looking great.
Increased Foundation
An important part of preventing cracks in your tile flooring is applying the right type of foundation. When your tile floor doesn't have sufficient support underneath it, something as simple as stepping on the floor hard is enough to cause it to crack.
If you're installing the floor in a new construction property, consider adding a fiber mix to the concrete that will be applied as part of your subfloor for increased strength. If you are adding tile flooring to an existing property, consider having a series of steel reinforcement bars installed along the top of your existing slab for additional support.
Multiple Underlayment Layers
Overtime, as the subflooring settles, it can begin to form small bends or curves in its joints. Even a slight bend in the sub-floor will also cause the tile to bend, eventually leading to a crack. You can avoid this type of problem by installing more than one layer of underlayment over your subfloor.
When the contractor is performing the underlayment installation, make certain that the underlayment is overlapping the subfloor at every joint by at least an inch. Since the joints in the floor are the most susceptible to movement, the overlapping underlayment will help keep them more secure.
Proper Grout Application
It's also important that the grout be applied correctly. This is true not just when you first have your tile floor installed, but also when you re-grout your tile in the future. If the grout mixture has too little or too much water in it when you apply it to the floor, it will not properly harden.
This will prevent the grout from securely holding the tiles in place. The tiles will shift, which will increase the likelihood of a crack. It's also important that you avoid leaving small gaps between your grout application and the tiles, as this can cause the same problem.
Taking measures to protect your tile flooring will help decrease the risk of a crack in your floor. This won't just keep your floors looking better, but it will also help you avoid expensive repair costs. For more tips, contact a company like Toliver's Carpet One Floor & Home.
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