Every once in a while you might have problems with your floor tile. Usually, they loosen up a bit, turning into a tripping hazard and making your floor look as though it’s completely uncared for. Before you can start repairing the tiles, adhering them to the floor securely once again, you need to understand what made them become loose in the first place.
Problems with Adhesion
This is one of the most common issues. In most cases, when your floor tile begins to become loose, it’s because whoever handled the installation did not use enough adhesive in the first place. It could also be that the adhesive wasn’t applied properly. In order to prevent this, you need to follow the directions on the package. They’ll tell you how much adhesive to use, as well as the correct ways to use it.
There are also issues with using the wrong adhesive for the job, such as one meant for a different type of subfloor than you have. In addition, the adhesive could have been mixed incorrectly. The wrong ratio of adhesive to liquid can result in a very problematic application.
The Weather
You’re probably aware of the fact that your hardwood floors expand and contract, depending on the amount of moisture in the air and the overall temperature in your home. However, you more than likely didn’t realize that your floor tiles do the same thing. When the foundation of your home expands and contracts with the weather, your subfloor moves a bit, causing the adhesive holding the tiles in place to weaken and for the tiles to crack or become loose. This places some stress on them.
The Load Placed On the Tiles
Most types of tile can handle quite a bit of a weight load. However, if you attempt to put too much weight on them, for example, with an extremely heavy stove or other appliance, the tiles won’t be able to handle it. As a result, they’ll start to break free of the floor. The adhesive will give way, along with the grout.
Something similar happens when you place those tiles in a very high traffic area, such as an entryway. When people are walking on them day in and day out, the adhesive will cease to stick properly, and you could end up with cracked tiles.
Substrate Issues
If you have placed your tiles directly over the subfloor in your basement, moisture can seep in through the foundation, causing the tiles to move around. The moisture will loosen the adhesive, leaving you with tiles that are no longer stuck in place. Once the tiles begin to move, the grout will crack, and you’ll have quite a mess on your hands.
No matter the issue that caused the loose tiles, you’ll have to take the necessary steps to correct the main problem. Otherwise, you’ll just need to deal with the loose tiles again and again. Those repairs must be made in order to prevent additional damage.
