Tile & Grout Repair

"Why is my floor loose, hollow, buckling?"

 

Several variables can attribute to the problem that you are having.

 

• Settling of the house or hydro-static pressure (which can occur even 10 or 20 years after the house was built-from severe saturation of the soil or expansion and contraction of foundation) For example, fluctuations of weather from hot to cold, typical Florida rain storms and hurricanes.

• Improper cleaning of the slab prior to installation.

• Not spreading enough thin set (or mortar) while setting the tile.

• Using wrong sized notched trowel during installation.

• Overspray from painters on the foundation.

• Wicker paper not properly installed.

• Cork underlayment not properly adhered to the floor.

 

98% of ALL tile problems can be rectified and avoid the cost, hassle, and mess of full tile replacement.

 

Every tile on the floor varies in the amount of hollowness. Some just have a small pocket of hollow, others are entirely hollow.

 

 

 "What can DTR do to repair my floor?"

 

• We will first assess your floor for hollow areas by tapping on your floor in the areas that you noted of concern. The hollow-sounding ones need re-bonding.

• If any of the tiles are lifted off the floor (tented), we will remove them, clean the edges, and reset them in their original position on the floor.

• We then drill holes in 4-8 places in the grout around each loose or hollow tile    identified. Next, we inject the adhesive into each hole.

• After injecting all the holes, we wipe away excess adhesive and fill in the holes with matching grout.

 

 

"How is the amount of adhesive calculated?"

 

Based on the square footage of the area of concern we can calculate the approximate amount of adhesive that would be required to solidify your tile floor. The estimate that you are given is approximate. Most estimates are pretty accurate (within 2-3 gallons). We try to estimate on the high side so that we will not go over the estimated amount.

 

The following variables can attribute to using more gallons than originally planned.

 

Wicking paper was installed on your floor prior to the tile installation. Wicking paper absorbs higher amounts of glue (approximately 40% more than tile adhered directly to the slab).

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Cork underlayment. This also absorbs more glue due to its porosity (approximately 50% more) and cork naturally sounds hollow.

 

"Is there any risk in injecting adhesive into my floor?"

 

Please keep in mind that these are situations that hardly ever happen, but we like to inform you of the possibility of one of the following occurring as to avert any surprises.

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Additional tiles could buckle.

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A tile or tiles could crack.

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Cork underlayment buckles under the tile.