Decoration Tips
Tile Basics You Need to Know: Five Main Causes of Hollow Tiles and How to Prevent Them
Many notice hollow tiles on their walls or floors shortly after renovation, affecting aesthetics and raising safety concerns. We will dive into the five primary causes of hollow tiles and offer practical preventive measures to help you create a beautiful and durable home.
What is Tile Hollowness?
Before exploring the causes, it’s essential to understand tile hollowness. Hollow tiles occur when there is a gap between the tile and the substrate, preventing the tile from adhering tightly. If you hear a hollow “thud” sound when tapping a tile with a small hammer, it likely has hollowness.
Hollow tiles can lead to several issues, causing inconvenience and risks:
1. Safety Hazards: Hollow tiles can easily crack or fall, especially on walls, where an impact can cause tiles to detach, leading to potential injury.
2. Water Seepage Risks: In damp spaces like bathrooms or kitchens, hollowness increases the chance of water seepage, which may cause mold and substrate corrosion over time.
3. Daily Use Impact: Unstable tiles may hinder furniture placement and make cleaning and maintenance difficult.
Five Main Causes of Tile Hollowness
1. Improper Substrate Preparation
– Uneven Surface: An uneven substrate affects adhesive distribution, preventing the tile from fully adhering.
– Insufficient Cleaning: Dust, grease, or residues can obstruct adhesive bonding.
– Poor Moisture Control: Overly dry or damp substrates impede adhesive curing.
2. Tile Quality Issues
– High or Low Water Absorption Rate: This affects the adhesive’s efficacy, impacting tile adherence.
– Irregular Sizing: Uneven tile sizes can cause gaps during installation, increasing the risk of hollowness.
– Shallow or Smooth Tile Backing: Tiles with shallow or too-smooth backings don’t bond well with adhesives.
3. Improper Installation Techniques
– Insufficient Adhesive Application: Inadequate adhesive can lead to weak spots.
– Lack of Compaction: Failing to press tiles firmly with tools like rubber hammers creates air gaps.
– No Expansion Joints: Omitting expansion joints can cause tiles to loosen or detach during thermal expansion.
4. Environmental Factors
– Extreme Temperature Fluctuations: Significant temperature changes can cause inconsistent expansion and contraction between tiles and adhesive.
– Unstable Humidity: Very high or low humidity affects adhesive performance.
– Foundation Settling: New or unstable foundations can cause tile detachment due to settling.
5. Low-Quality Tile Adhesive
– Choosing low-cost, low-quality adhesive increases the risk of hollowness. C1TE standard (based on European standard EN 12004) ensures quality adhesive with strong bonding strength, anti-slip properties, and extended open time. Studies show that using C1TE-grade adhesives can reduce hollowness by 75%, highlighting the importance of high-quality adhesive.
Prevention Methods
With these causes in mind, we can take effective preventive measures based on different situations:
1. Substrate Preparation
– Ensure the substrate is level, using leveling materials if necessary.
– Clear dust and grease for a clean surface.
– Moisturize the substrate appropriately based on its water absorption.
2. Choose Quality Tiles
– Opt for tiles with stable water absorption and consistent sizing.
– Check the tile’s backing pattern for sufficient depth to ensure good adhesion.
3. Standard Installation
– Use a rubber hammer to compact tiles and prevent air gaps.
– Leave expansion joints as required to accommodate changes in temperature and humidity.
4. Environmental Control
– Install in stable temperature and humidity conditions.
– Avoid tile installation on unstable foundations.
5. Use High-Quality Tile Adhesive
– Select C1TE or higher-grade tile adhesive to ensure anti-slip and extended open time for better bonding and reduced hollowness risks.
Conclusion
Tile hollowness is a complex issue involving materials, techniques, and environmental factors. To effectively prevent hollowness, homeowners should:
1. Choose high-quality tiles and adhesives without compromising quality.
2. Hire a professional installation team for proper techniques.
3. Select suitable environmental conditions for installation to avoid high temperatures and humidity.