Clicking Tiles

Jul 15, 2006 5 Replies
N

The new tile floor in my kitchen with 14 inch tiles are clicking. We pulled up a few and reset with more mortar but more are clicking and I think a few of the originals.



I am afraid the subfloor (two 5/8" plywood sheets) moves too much. It has been suggested that I pull up the bad tiles and then screw the floor to the joists. Will this be sufficient? The floor does seem to move when my 250 lbs walks on it - the movement can not be seen from the basement - it is not the joists. Would additional cross bracing installed from below help? Would additional wood from below then screw up and pull down work (plywood does not hold screws well. I do have full access from below.


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J

I think you have hit on the best solution. Pull up the tiles and screw the boards down every 10 inches to the joists. No cross bracing is necessary.

Then smear on lots of the most 'expensive' tile mortar you can find. The expensive stuff doesn't dry out like the cheap stuff.

That should hold it in place for 20 or 30 years.

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D

Do all the tiles "click"? If no and you rap on clicking ones with your knuckle do you get a hollow sound? If so your problem is insufficient mortar/mastic, not sub-floor.

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D

If you're talking about mortar as opposed to mastic you better hope and pray the mortar dries. Mastic too for that matter...

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J

No.

"To get a stronger and a more pliable bond, use an acrylic fortifier in place of the water. First pour two gallons of the fortifier into the bucket and then gradually add one bag of mortar to the acrylic. Use a mixer attached to a drill to stir the mortar. "

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