https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Tj1mpy_CGnc
I had a tiler install these tiles last week
They don't seem to think there is a major issue and are telling me that this is normal
I feel pretty confident that this is not OK
Can this be fixed?
Do they have to be ripped up?
Will this damage the "waterproofing"/"screed"/"self-leveling concrete"?
Google "Drummy tiles" and you will get your answer.
‘Drummy’ or hollow sounding tiles indicate a bond failure. According to AS 3958.1, this would be considered a functional defect where 20% or more of any individual tile is ‘drummy’, or not bonded.
I know nothing about tiling. I don;t know if it's acceptable or not. Like you I think probably not acceptable.
We had our bathroom redone earlier this year by a tiler friend who I trust to do good work (and at full rates, not after hours cash job) and our floor doesn't exhibit this.
The walls do in places and it seems to be fairly predictably spaced.. similar to yours. No glue in the centre, but around the edges.
I reckon it's the presence of glue versus no glue.
It might be OK, but it means the tile you're walking on is taking the load of your bodyweight across the hollow section.
I had a similar thing in my bathroom when I moved in to my place - but only on part of one tile. I had a tiler in for another job and asked them about it and they said that it’s not a big deal - but as I said, it was only part of one tile.
No way that's right. They skimped on adhesive and I'll reckon you'll end up with broken tiles. Unless you're happy to buy a box of extras and DIY later, call them back.
it sounds like there is a lack of adhesive glue behind the tile or the substrate has been poorly prepared and is bumpy.
disclaimer, I'm not a tiler, but I am an architect, my opinion is that, it looks like a really substandard job, I'd find a new tiler.
This can be caused by a heap of issues
- poor substrate prep, you could have had dirt and debris that hadn't been cleaned off before tiling began
- poor application of the adhesive
- could be an incompatible adhesive for the substrate or tile, glue could have been left out too long before the tile was applied, could have been a hot day glue dried too quickly, or my guess, or
- trowelled on incorrectly, too little, or too much and not spread consistently etc.
Do you have to redo your waterproof membrane?
I'd say most likely.
Other questions you didn't ask, but may wonder,
What happens if you leave it?
Probably nothing in the immediate or short term, most adhesives have some amount of deformity, plasticity in them, but over time walking on them, it will eventually break down, tile will lift or crack.
Like everything in construction, have the hard conversation now, fix it correctly or find another tiler.
The tiler is now refusing to fix the work and is claiming that it's because I walked on them when they were wet
I 100% did not walk on any tiles between the Friday that he laid them, and the Monday that he came back out
the difference in sound means there are areas without glue, if the area without glue is large when you step on it, it will crack, but as the tile is thick, it should be ok with minimal impact.
Some tilers can rip the tile without compromising the waterproofing but how much trust do you put in when the tiler says it will be fine?
I have my tiler replace the tile if it is different in sound or they said they will come back and redo it if there is any issue, but will you trust him?
I highly doubt that walking on it will crack the tile, even with a huge gap in the adhesive. Unless they are sumo fat. Floor tiles are extremely tough.
It may not crack immediately but it may build up from a hairline crack.
I've worked for a builder before and they do take a lot of shortcuts, but against some of the consensus here, I don't think this is anything you need to worry about. I'm surprised you even bothered to test this way, I don't know anyone that does that.
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You sound like the tiler and your user name is ironic
…have you considered a career in percussion?
This whole playing the tiles, showering on the xylophone thing confuses me… lol
This seems to be the recommended method for identifying "drummy tiles" on YouTube
It's easier to hear it when tapping with something metal
I originally used my finger
Yea not normal I got my tiler to redo a couple I found free of charge
At first I thought you were playing Requiem in D Minor but then I read the rest of the post.
It now makes sense.
Clearly it was Disástêr in A major way.
That's a defect.
It's happening because they either haven't used enough or poorly applied the tile adhesive.
It might never be an issue, but then again you might have tiles debonding and breaking. Better to get it fixed
Not normal.
Might not sound so bad once it is grouted, but will they crack later?