Uneven tile flooring can be unattractive and dangerous.
Uneven tile flooring can be unattractive and dangerous.
Uneven tile flooring is a problem that's common. It can be unsightly as well as a safety hazard. It's usually the result of poor tile installation.
The tile surface must be flat enough to ensure that the adhesive that holds the tiles in place is sufficiently covered. If not, tiles will break easily.
Foundation Issues
Uneven tiles can occur due to a foundation issue. The floors buckle and slope because the foundation shifts with time. This is often the situation in older homes with pier and beam construction.
Uneven flooring is a sign that your foundation needs to be repaired. It is important to correct the problem if you notice your tile floors are uneven.
You will need to hire a foundation contractor to repair your tile if it is uneven due a problem with the foundation. They can use a procedure called mud jacking in order to raise the level. This involves pumping cement, sand and water under your floors in order to raise them to their correct level. This method is also useful for stabilizing basements to prevent further sinking.
Moisture Issues
Moisture can be very destructive to construction materials. It can also cause problems if it gets underneath your tiles. It is important to have the waterproofing of your home done by professionals.
Uneven floors can be caused by excessive moisture. Even if the foundation is intact, the excess moisture will cause the floor to become uneven. This can lead rot and mold buildup as well as other structural damage.
The "lippage" is one of the most common causes of uneven tiles. It occurs when a tile's edge is higher than its adjacent tiles. This can look unsightly and create a tripping hazard. It happens when the thinset or the mastic used to hold the tiles together wasn't evenly spread. Professional contractors know that they should use self-smoothing compounds like anhydrite screed before tiling. These products are much easier to use than sand-and-cement screeds and create a leveler surface. This is particularly important if your plan is to tile on top of wood. Wood can expand or contract with temperature fluctuations and warp if it's not treated properly.
Structure Issues
Uneven floors can be an indicator of foundation problems. Sagging or buckling floors are dangerous and can damage the structure of your home.
A structural inspection is an important part of the buying process. It is worth the extra money to hire an inspector who can determine whether or not sagging floors or buckling are caused by a weakening foundation. It is also important to work closely with a foundation contractor who uses floor jacks or foundation peering techniques. These methods can help restore your foundation to its initial state.
In most cases, water damage is to blame for sagging floors or uneven surfaces. Too much moisture is damaging to the wooden beams, sub-flooring, and other structural elements of a house. It's therefore important to deal with any water damage or flooding as soon as possible. This includes leaky pipe, groundwater and water that seeps into walls or the roof.
Tile Installation
The surface of the floor must be flat before laying tile. Idealy, you should use self-leveling compounds to ensure the tiles will be laid properly. This also helps to prevent moisture seeping behind tiles and causing mildew.
Depending upon the type of floor you have, it may be necessary to use anhydrite or a traditional screed made from sand and concrete. While the sand/cement option may be more cost-effective, it can also leave an uneven floor. Anhydrite on the other hand is a liquid substance that can be easily sprayed onto an existing floor to smooth it out and prepare it for tiling.
To check for uneven substrates, lightly hit the tile using a tool. Listen for hollow sounds. This is a sign the thinset grout holding the tile has not been applied evenly. This will not only result in an unsightly flooring, but can also create a tripping hazard.
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Uneven tile flooring can be unattractive and dangerous. Uneven tile flooring is a problem that's common. It can be unsightly as well as a safety hazard. It's usually the result of poor tile installation. The tile surface must be flat enough to ensure that the adhesive that holds the tiles in place is sufficiently covered.…