Because of our humidity level in Malaysia, sometimes you may find a floor tile popping up. Here’s what they look like:
What are the reasons and what should you do? What are the costs involved and how should you maintain the floors so this won’t happen again in the future?
In this article, we share everything you need to know about popped-up floor tiles and how you can deal with them.
Why do my floor tiles pop up?
There are many reasons why this could happen. By first understanding the reasons behind it, you will be better equipped to prevent it from happening again.
Here are some possible reasons.
1- Crashed by heavy objects
Tiles are considered fragile objects. Though designed to sustain heavy loads, they can be pretty delicate. And if crushed by heavy or sharp objects, they will break.
Or events like earthquakes (which happen rarely in Malaysia) will result in the tiles popping up.
2- Tiles are not cleaned properly before installation
Tile cleaning is essential, especially if you’re installing tiles that require grouting.
Improper cleaning of the floor tiles could also lead to uneven tile installation which as a result, leads to popping up of tiles.
3- Floor expansion due to heat or moisture
Tile is a permeable material and its physical appearance will change according to its surrounding conditions.
When subject to excessive heat (like Malaysia’s weather) or moisture (such as spilled water sitting on the tiles for a long period), it may cause the tiles to expand. Therefore, after some time, the tiles will buckle up, or pop up.
4- Uneven subfloor & not using adhesive
The subfloor is the layer below the floor tiles, also known as their foundation.
When the subfloor is not set properly with the mortar and tile adhesive, these will form an uneven sublayer which in turn causes the floor tiles to be easily popped up.
Therefore, when it comes to home renovation, finding the right interior designer is very important and goes a long way in helping you save costs!
5- Use old tiles or low-quality tiles
Tiles that are old or low in quality may already have lost some of their important properties such as strength and flexibility.
Old tiles may get brittle easily and are unable to withstand any drastic change in physical conditions such as temperature variation.
Therefore, it wouldn’t be long until you see such tiles start lifting or popping up.
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What to do when your tiles start popping and cracking?
Safety always comes first.
The first thing you need to do is remove the loose and cracked tiles. Remember to wear a pair of gloves and make sure your feet are covered.
When the space is clean of cracked tiles, then cover the area with protective sheets such as cardboard or newspaper. If possible, put a label on it as well so any home passerby will be aware of it.
Most importantly, steer clear from the area until proper repair works are done by your contractor.
If your house is still new (less than 2 years old)
Just bought a new house? Good news! Your home will most probably be subjected to a defect liability period (DLP) – only applicable to Malaysia condominiums.
If you own a terrace house or bungalow, check out the next section.
DLP is a warranty for new condominiums where the developers are responsible for fixing any defects in your home. The period usually lasts between 1 to 2 years.
The floor tiles are popping up? Report to your condo management and let them handle the rest.
If your house is more than 2 years old and above
Without the DLP, you’ll have to manage the cost of repairing yourself. This means you need to get in touch with a contractor or DIY.
How to prevent tiles from popping up?
1- Find a good contractor
Before you sign an agreement to work with any designer or contractor, make sure they are vetted properly and have good reviews.
Poor installation of the tiles will lead to them popping up in the future. And to prevent that from happening, find the right contractors in the first place!
2- Tap your tiles with a light tool (to check)
So you have your floor tiles installed already. What to do next?
If you’re being careful and just want to make sure, then find a light tool and gently tap the tiles. This is to differentiate between hollow tiles and compact ones. In general, hollow tiles have a higher tendency to pop up.
For extra precaution (and to prevent the tiles from popping up in the future), you can apply some adhesives to make sure the hollow tiles are firmly connected.
3- Re-grout your tiles
Grout is the ‘line’ that fills between the spaces of the tiles. It functions to create seamless tile appearances and keep the tiles in place with one another.
Again, if the grout work is not thorough enough, the tiles can easily buckle up.
So, if you discover that the tile grouts in the joint have come off, you may try to re-grout the tiles and make sure they are in place.
Or you could engage your contractors to help you do so.
How much does it cost to replace cracked floor tiles?
In Malaysia, the cost generally ranges between RM1,000 to RM2,500.
Depending on the scope of the work and the scale of how many tiles require fixing, the price may differ according to different projects.
And there you go – everything you need to know about tiles popping up, what to do, how to prevent it from happening, and how much it costs to fix them.
If you need any planning support help, feel free to get in touch with us or browse our tiles currently on promotion.
Thoughts? Feel free to leave them down in the comment section below!