Such a defect is rare and is always associated with the floors of public and industrial premises under the influence of intense mechanical loads. It consists of broken tiles, straight and twisted breaks that start at the corners, and, as a rule, affect several tiles. Fragments of tiles can break off; over time and under the influence of loads, the defect worsens and spreads across the surface. As a result, there is almost complete destruction of the cladding, resulting in a loss of not only aesthetic, but also functional qualities.
Tiled floors, where such defects most often occur, are surfaces subject to heavy loads due to the movement of trolleys. For example, supermarkets, industrial enterprises, passenger terminals of air terminals, and so on.
Cause
Based on the description of the defect, it is clear that its origin is related to the qualities of the system, which is not able to withstand the loads under the operating conditions of the surface. Again, such defects are caused by errors in the planning and design phase, in particular:
- Selecting tiles with dimensional (especially thickness), microstructural (porosity) and mechanical characteristics that cannot withstand the expected loads;
- Choosing a base that is not only insufficiently dense and stable, but also does not have adequate traction under the expected load conditions;
- Lack of a reinforcing layer that distributes the load;
- Additional loads were not taken into account during planning.
When determining the diagnosis, it is also necessary to take into account the possible discrepancy between the quality of the tile and the specified requirements, that is, the defectiveness of the tile itself. For example, despite the fact that low-quality tiles rarely cause such a defect, this probability cannot be ignored. Much more often there are cases when such a defect is caused by one error or several errors given above, also accompanied by errors in laying the tiles themselves. For example: an insufficiently flat surface, poor quality of filling joints, poor conditions for good adhesion of the tiles and the base, and the like. The first two conditions lead to the formation of heavy loads on the edges of the tiles, with the risk of premature appearance of such a pathology; and thirdly, to the inevitable disruption of the interaction between the tile and the base, with easily guessable consequences.
It is worth noting that the adhesion of the tile-base can be disrupted by another circumstance, premature use of the floor, when the shrinkage and hardening of the materials has not yet been completed. In this case, responsibility for the formation of such a defect lies entirely with the user. This possibility should also not be ignored.
Prevention
Measures to prevent such defects are already indicated in the reasons themselves. Particular care should be taken during the planning and design phase. Let's highlight the most important points:
- Selecting tiles with a particularly dense structure (impervious tiles) and, if possible, thicker than ordinary tiles.
- Selecting a dense base using appropriate adhesive solutions.
- Construction of a reinforcing and distribution layer.
- Application of laying with open joints and construction of expansion joints.
- Strictly follow the tile laying technology.
It is also important to maintain the period after laying the tiles necessary for the materials to shrink and harden. This is especially true for installing floors in rooms where such defects are common, since there, immediately after installation, it is possible to place furniture, heavy equipment (benches, machines, tools), loads that exceed normal working conditions. In this case, it is best to wait 30 days before using the surface.