Ceramic and porcelain tile · Hollow-sounding tiles

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.

Also searched as: "tiles sound hollow when tapped", "drummy tiles", "loose floor tiles"

What usually causes it

  • Insufficient mortar coverage
  • Mortar skinned over before setting
  • Substrate contamination

What you can check yourself

  • Tap with a coin and mark hollow tiles

What an independent inspection checks

  • Mortar coverage compared with ANSI A108 requirements
  • Bond condition

Who is responsible?

Typically installation.

Get your 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.

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