If you understand that all tile assemblies move and that movement (expansion) joints are mandatory, you also know that they are the only way to ensure success.
However, do you think installing movement (expansion) joints in tile installations are a pain in the #?&? If so, here are two quick and easy ways to install high-quality and long-lasting movement joints.
After all, it's really important that you do so to avoid tile installation failures. But statements such as:
Ready to learn more?
The issue of the movement joints not working occurs when the wrong products or techniques are being used.
When lower quality “caulking” products such as acrylic latex or siliconized latex are used in tile work, they dry hard, shrink, and many times fall out when movement occurs in the structure.
Due to their inability to remain flexible, an unsightly crack develops between the back splash tile and the counter top or the wall tile and the bathtub.
Now there is a callback from the builder (if the new house has not yet closed) or from the consumer soon after they move in.
After listening to the complaint and writing down the details, someone needs to go to the site as soon as possible to fix the problem. The installer needs to rake out the “old” caulking, vacuum out the debris, and install the new caulking.
Unfortunately, the installer sent to replace the caulking is using the same product that failed the first time. That is Einstein’s definition of insanity;
“Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
If it failed the first time, it will probably do the same the second time and the third time.
The cure for this problem is to use the correct “sealant” not caulking. The TCNA Handbook and the ANSI Specifications under section A108.01-3.7.4.1.1 state,
“Suitable sealants include silicone, urethane, and polysulfide.”
You will notice that this list does not include acrylic latex or siliconized latex caulking products.
If your installers refuse to use 100% silicone sealant because they are sticky, messy, hard to use, or smear onto the face of the tile, perhaps it's because they were never shown the correct method for installing them.
By the way, this article also explains in detail why you need movement joints:
There are two ways this may be done.
The first method is as follows:
In fact, this is something that Certified Tile Installers have to complete successfully during their hands-on test.
Below, you see me checking the inside corner of a wall to determine if the expansion joint was properly installed. These expansion joints provide the ability for movement to occur between wall to wall and floor to wall applications.
The second and easiest method involves the following:
The smoothing tool or plastic spoon are also sprayed with dish detergent solution allowing the excess sealant to be easily removed without the worry of it sticking to or smearing on the face of the tile.
Depending on the type of joint specified, the profile of the smoothing tool can provide a joint which is either concave or flat.
When I conduct demonstrations on the proper installation of sealant joints, I often hear this statement, “It can’t be that easy.”
It is really that easy. Using this technique will save time, eliminate costly callbacks, make your installers happy, and yield happy customers.
Sometimes something so simple can provide huge rewards.
Let us know which of these two methods you prefer.
If I've not made the point about how critical expansion or movement joints are to ceramic tile installation, please let me know in the comment box below.
If you're still wondering, consider learning more about the Certified Tile Installer program.
Thanks for reading and please tell your friends where you found this information.