Tile inspection
Ceramic and porcelain tile problems and inspection
Tile is hard and durable, but it can't flex. Cracks, hollow tiles and tiles popping up usually come from what's underneath: the substrate, the mortar coverage, or missing movement joints.
Common tile problems
Why is my tile floor cracking?
Tile cracks usually come from movement below the tile: a cracked slab, a subfloor that flexes too much, or missing movement joints. A crack that runs in a line across several tiles often follows a crack in the concrete.
Why do my floor tiles sound hollow?
Hollow-sounding tiles usually have incomplete mortar contact underneath. Not every hollow sound is a failure, but it can lead to cracking and loose tiles.
Why are my floor tiles popping up?
Tiles tent or pop up when the floor has no room to move. Temperature and moisture changes build pressure, and without movement joints the tiles lift.
Why are the edges of my tiles uneven?
Lippage is a height difference between neighboring tiles. Some is allowed, depending on tile and grout joint size, but large differences can come from an uneven substrate, tile warpage or installation technique.
Need a tile floor inspected?
Tell us what you're seeing and we'll explain the next step. We cover every county in Southern California and only inspect. We don't sell or install flooring.