Are you in the market for a new property? People generally look at their eyeline when inspecting a home. Problems above and below your point of gaze can usually slip past the attentions of a prospective buyer. So if a property has floor tile problems, chances are you might miss them!
Securing the services of an experienced building and pest inspector will mean that issues, including what lays beneath, are quickly brought to your attention.
What can go wrong with flooring?
Floor tile problems often spring to the top of the list when it comes to areas that require adjustment and fixing. Many homes for sale are hiding all manner of sins when it comes to flooring. It is important to be aware of potential issues before you find yourself moving into a property where you will have to tear up the flooring to make it liveable.
Tile floors in bathrooms
Beware of floor tile problems in bathrooms. Waterproofing must be checked in order to ensure that the tiles are capable of differential movement. This is the expansion and contraction between materials and is particularly relevant in a wet area. Here your building inspector will investigate whether or not tiling in this area has been undertaken using appropriate sealants (rather than straight grouting) in order to protect the waterproofing within.
Beyond waterproofing, floor tile problems in this vicinity can involve slopes towards drainage as well as falls to shower wastage. Large tiles in this area can make it difficult to maintain the fall, making this a significant area that your building inspector will spend their time investigating.
Loose and broken tiles
An easy way to pick up on this issue is to give your tiles a bit of a tap with a sounding device. ‘Drummy’ tiles might sound hollow which means that the tiles have come loose from the substrate. The tile could easily break, becoming a potential hazard or water leak issue.
An investigation into the poorly laid tiles should be undertaken to determine the root cause. Potentially the tiles were not able to expand and contract, or the adhesive selected was inappropriate. This can also be an indicator of time that has passed between tiles being laid and now, or how the space has been used by previous owners.
Grouting and lips
Grouting will be on your inspector’s list when it comes to the investigation of potential floor tile problems. Grouting is not an exact science and genuine human error can lead to a slightly off kilter appearance, particularly if the tiling has irregular edges.
A lip between a tile is, however, an issue of concern. The presence of a lip may indicate that the surface was not level, or the tiles were poorly laid originally and that a levelling system was not used appropriately at the time of installation.
Building and pest inspection done right
Tiling problems in a home can cause real headaches and negatively impact its livability. Call Action Property Inspections to ensure that your home is stable and sound – before you lose your footing.
Don’t let floor tile problems trip up your property dreams! Book an inspection today