Tiled deck or patio – cracking

Causes

Substrate shrinkage

Thermal expansion/contraction

The framing and/or substrate has too much deflection

There are no or insufficient tile movement control joints

Tiles were fixed over movement control joints

The concrete substrate was not sufficiently cured before tiles were laid

Common

Listed under: Exterior, finishes, tiles, concrete tiles, decks, framing, patios

Cause

Substrate shrinkage

Repair

  • if the cracking is not serious, the tiles may be left
  • consider adding additional framing to strengthen substrate, lift and replace tiles
  • if cracking is serious, remove tiles; re-tile ensuring that movement control joints are installed

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Cause

Thermal expansion/contraction

Repair

  • if the cracking is not serious, the tiles may be left
  • if cracking is serious, remove tiles; re-tile ensuring that movement control joints are installed

Back to top

Cause

The framing and/or substrate has too much deflection

Repair

  • if the cracking is not serious, the tiles may be left
  • consider adding additional framing to strengthen substrate, lift and replace tiles
  • if cracking is serious, remove tiles; re-tile ensuring that movement control joints are installed

Back to top

Cause

There are no or insufficient tile movement control joints

Repair

  • if the cracking is not serious, the tiles may be left
  • if cracking is serious, remove tiles; re-tile ensuring that movement control joints are installed

Back to top

Cause

Tiles were fixed over movement control joints

Repair

  • if the cracking is not serious, the tiles may be left
  • if cracking is serious, remove tiles; re-tile ensuring that movement control joints are installed

Back to top

Cause

The concrete substrate was not sufficiently cured before tiles were laid

Repair

  • if the cracking is not serious, the tiles may be left
  • consider adding additional framing to strengthen substrate, lift and replace tiles
  • if cracking is serious, remove tiles; re-tile ensuring that movement control joints are installed

Back to top