Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ?

ppp13 on 23/10/2024 - 15:43
Last edited 23/10/2024 - 16:19 by 1 other user

Need your advice/experiences please about which way to go for fix.
Got completely two different quotes and I'm not sure which is actual solution here, and whom to believe.

1) $1400 Quote= The first quote recommended to remove shower screens, de-grout floor, de-grout bottom row wall tiles on 2 walls. Remove wall/floor silicone joints. Re-grout shower floor and perimeter joints with epoxy light grey grout. Grout bottom row walls with white epoxy grout. Silicone floor perimeter and wall joints. Refit shower screen and silicone.

2) $250 Quote= Simply apply marine grade epoxy to hairline crack without removing anything. However, this tradie says there is a risk of breaching waterproofing upon removing the effected tile completely and singular tile removal is not the method of repair used but rather a coloured marine grade epoxy be applied to the hairline crack to seal water from being able to enter under the tiles.

My only intention is fixing the issue without worrying about it in the future but there is a risk of breaching waterproofing membrane in the first quote and second quote seems to be a temporary fix.

What do you guys suggest please?

Thanks for your time 🙂

Home & Garden Tiling

Comments

Bargainitis on 23/10/2024 - 15:45

+3

hairline cracks on tiles should be okay - you could technically colour match the best you can with the tile colour — cheapest way.

I would be surprised if the hairline crack would crack through to the waterproof membrane - never say never I guess. Tradies always oversell so just be weary of that.
- ppp13 on 23/10/2024 - 19:04
  
  Yes, looks over work in the first quote. Tradie says that grout has become porous (8 years old) and suggests removing and replace with new. In summary, he suggests replacing broken tiles with new ones (spare ones are there so no issue about matching) and doing new grout all the shower base floor, all corners and bottom two row tiles on the two walls along with putting back shower screens (And due to the age of shower screens there is no guarantee if they break while moving).
  
  I don't think I can leave it like that because the water related issues starts something like this small crack and never know where it leads to :(
  - merriweather on 24/10/2024 - 08:54
    
    The grout's not looking great. How are your DIY skills? Regrouting and doing the silicon's a pretty straightforward job.
Fredfloresjr on 23/10/2024 - 15:59

+3

Tbh, I would just leave it or just do it your self. Epoxy would solve the problem.
- ppp13 on 23/10/2024 - 19:05
  
  It may become big issue right especially water related issues in the bathroom .
JIMB0 on 23/10/2024 - 16:21

+1

Patch it up to stop water leaking and move on.
MrThing on 23/10/2024 - 16:39

+7

rip up the whole bathroom and start again
- MondaySleeper on 23/10/2024 - 16:43
  
  +10
  
  Or even better demolish the house and rebuild. Fresh feeling.
Benoffie on 23/10/2024 - 17:08

+1

I wouldn't be removing. Have a few hairline cracks in mine. No evidence breaching waterproof/concrete bed (depending on age) so grout/silicone/epoxy at leisure.
- ppp13 on 23/10/2024 - 19:06
  
  Overtime they become loosen and creates water leaking issues to membranes and mold?
  - Benoffie on 23/10/2024 - 21:14
    
    It depends. Whats the age? What's the membrane (if any)?
    
    Mine were put in in 1959 on a concrete bed, no waterproofing 🤷‍♀️
    
    Parents place had no grout in the floor of the shower for 12 months (built 1970s).
    
    Hopefully, you should have - porcelain tile (non porous), screed (assuming not straight on masonite), then waterproof membrane, then base such as concrete. Realisticly, it should take a long time for water to cause an issue if you leave it and it's little issue to simply seal it.
boomramada on 23/10/2024 - 17:33

My only intention is fixing the issue without worrying about it in the future

The question is, what caused it? will it happen again?
- ppp13 on 23/10/2024 - 19:06
  
  could be foundation movement (8 years old house)
  - boomramada on 23/10/2024 - 19:30
    
    Well if you fix it, it might come back again, you not fixing the root of the problem. Might as well leave it as it is.
Kongzi on 23/10/2024 - 17:53

+1

When in doubt, silikon
- MS Paint on 23/10/2024 - 17:59
  
  That doesn't rhyme. But this does…
  
  When in doubt
  Fill it with grout
SmiTTy on 23/10/2024 - 19:38

I had hairline cracks and had someone use epoxy over it. (they were already here doing other grouting work so had them do the shower too)

I wouldn't have wanted to re tile everything (and he didn't suggest it either)
lgacb08 on 24/10/2024 - 12:17

Grout is porous anyway, so a crack like that means nothing unless the underlying waterproofing membrane is compromised. The cracked corner is probably due expansion and whoever did the tiling left too little allowance for expansion.
- ppp13 on 24/10/2024 - 12:25
  
  I would like to fix that cracked tile by replacing with new one as I've matched ones anyway.
  
  Do you think in the process that may disturb water proofing? Tradie suggests doing the same along with new grout in the corners and shower base.
  
  I want to find out whether that fix (replacing broken tile with new one) cause any issues to waterproof! Obviously can't depend on only tradie opinion.
  - lgacb08 on 25/10/2024 - 16:48
    
    If you're doing it yourself it's not that hard removing tile by broken it to pieces and remove them and put new one on top. but tradie was not taught doing the job like that because they'd be broke doing so. So you're left with expensive options of letting them doing job their way or learn to live with imperfections. The second guy is being honest and you should follow his advice. The first guy can be hit and miss so you are in for a gamble. I'm not recommending diy because if you're asking the question then it's not for you.

Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ?

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