My mom's new home has a lot of cracking in the grout between the large tiles through out the house. Is this a sign of a big problem?
Thanks!

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Originally Posted by cjacks

My mom's new home has a lot of cracking in the grout 1.How wide is the grout spacing and what kind of grout was used?(sanded or premix acrylic) between the large tiles through out the house.2.What size are the tiles and have any of them cracked? Is this a sign of a big problem?

Depends.... if cracks are fine and consistent throughout the house, this may be a bad mix and shrinkage cracking. If these cracks separate the tiles in a lengthy sawtooth jagged fashion and are tilted, then this may need real attention to subfloor conditions. 4. Is the tile on a slab floor? 5. Is the subfloor wood? 6. what was the scratch coat surface or was any mortar coat used, and how thick?
Thanks!

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Sometimes an installer will put down tile using only a mastic to the subfloor and then grout the tiles with a fine non-sanded premix. (like toothpaste) This is not a recommended approach and can have the above results described. Give an idea of the details above, answers may come forth. :D nm

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cjacks

My mom's new home has a lot of cracking in the grout between the large tiles through out the house. Is this a sign of a big problem?
Thanks!

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If house is that new, then yes it could be a big problem. Contact builder w/ in the 1st year for that should be a warranty issue. Depending on the state you live. Is the subfloor wood/ concrete. The thinset used may not have been for that app.

This sounds like a bad installation. We would need to know more info to answer you better but I would most definitely call the builder and demand a cure. What is the sub floor? Mud, plywood,hardibacker?

It Possible That The Installer Didn't Nail Or Screw The Subfloor Down And Your Getting Movement, Also If He Used Mastic Instead Of Thinset. That Is Also A Problem And This Is Why Mastic Is For 6x6 And 4x4 Wall Tile If You Use It On The Floor It Want Dry, The Tile Will Float Against The Grout Showing Cracks.
Most Likely The Floor Had Some Humps In It Or The Floor Isn't Fastned Down. Does The Floor Squeak? If So There Is The Problem
And To Fix That You'll Have To Pull The Floor Up,
Hope This Helps, Nichols Trim And Carpentry