Are Cracked Floor Tiles a Sign of Foundation Problems?
In most cases a tile floor that has several tiles that have cracked near each other is a sign of a foundation issue. These cracks typically start with your slab foundation below the tile. Hairline cracks will begin to form when your foundation shifts. As these foundation cracks grow, they will begin to impact the tile flooring in your home and will lead to more noticeable features on your tile floor, including cracks. While cracking may seem minor at first, if you can visibly see cracks in your tile flooring, the issue beneath is much larger and should be inspected by a professional concrete contractor as soon as possible.
How to Inspect Tile Flooring for Signs for Foundation Issues
The best thing you can do if you have tile flooring and have tiles that are visibly cracked is to inspect the rest of the areas of the home that have tile floors. First, you can visually inspect the grout lines surrounding the flooring for any signs of cracking or areas that are missing grout. The next thing you can do is to take a broom stick and tap on the tile flooring. If you hear any hollow sounds this means that the mortar that the tile was set in is no longer holding the tile firmly to the sub-floor. This could be from the foundation shifting and heaving. Lastly, check to see if any tiles have fully loosened from the mortar. This can typically be seen by a seam running along each side of the tile indicating the entire tile has come loose.
What To Do If You Suspect You Need Foundation Repairs
The first and best thing you can do is contact a foundation repair company. Let someone come to your home that is fully versed in concrete foundations and do a full inspection. Most of the time a foundation inspection is free of charge for the homeowner and you will be provided with more answers to questions you may have. You can also do a self-inspection of your property using our free homeowner inspection checklist which can be found here.
Can Tiles Be Fixed After Foundation Repair?
Tiles can be repaired after you have your foundation leveled. You want to wait at least six months before making any repairs to ensure that the foundation has once again settled fully into place. Look for an experienced flooring contractor to assist with matching and repairing your tile flooring. Always check for references of pictures of the work that the contractor has performed in the past if you cannot find this on the Google My Business profile or their website.
If you have additional questions please give us a call, we would love to talk with you. You can reach us at 713-467-8981
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