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player ready...Q. My tile bathroom floor is cracked. I think the floor needs to be reinforced. How do I do this?
Mary Thrantell, Oak Park
A. First, determine the cause of the crack. If the crack is limited to one or two tiles and was caused by some kind of accident, such as a heavy object being dropped on the floor, then you can try to replace those specific tiles, said Frank DiNovella, of A & D Tile Mart in Chicago.
To remove the damaged tiles, use a grout saw to cut away the pieces and install replacement tiles using a cement or adhesive, he said. If the tiles are cracked in a larger area, it might mean the floor was installed improperly. For stable flooring, ceramic and marble tiles should be installed on a solid surface such as cement board.
However, some contractors or homeowners have installed floors directly on plywood, causing the floor to be positioned on a less secure base. When there’s movement underfoot, the tile is more vulnerable to cracking.
If a row of tiles is cracked, it could be related to stress due to its proximity to support beams, doorways or hallways. These tiles can be removed and replaced.
To prevent a repeat of the cracking in these high-stress locations, place a crack-isolation membrane onto the cement board before adding the adhesive and new tiles.
Improper installation can also be the cause of individual tiles cracking, DiNovella said. If during the installation an air space was left in the mortar or cement adhesive, the tile can be weakened, he said.
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Have a question about home repair or maintenance? Send a brief note to Home Remedies, Your Place, baiduhai, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60611, or e-mail [email protected]. Be sure to include your name, address and daytime phone number. Questions of general interest will be answered in future columns. Unpublished letters cannot be answered individually.