Tiles have become a preferred choice for surface coverings in most modern homes and offices because of their aesthetics and durability. However, it can be disappointing when you start seeing those wall tiles pop out and eventually fall off after quite some time.
If you plan on having these installed on your surface, you need to understand the reasons why wall tiles keep falling off so that you can prevent this one from happening to you.
Poor Quality Tile Adhesive
Using inexpensive or inadequate adhesives can result in failure. Many tile adhesives lack the bonding strength or flexibility required to keep tiles in place for extended periods of time, particularly in locations like bathrooms or kitchens where humidity and temperature fluctuations are common.
Poor quality adhesives may:
- Dry too quickly or too slowly.
- Shrink or crack over time.
- Fail to hold tiles under load or vibration.
If the adhesive does not “hold” properly, the tiles will eventually fall off.
Improper Surface Treatment
Even the strongest adhesives won’t work if the underlying surface is dirty, dusty, greasy or fragile.
Common surface preparation problems include:
- Installation over old paint or plaster.
- Failure to clean dust or grease from the substrate.
- Neglecting loose or damaged wall surfaces.
- Failure to apply primer to absorbent or very smooth wall surfaces.
Adhesives require mechanical gripping and chemical bonding, which can only be achieved on properly treated surfaces. Source: Tenessy
Using the Wrong Adhesive
Not all adhesives are suitable for all tile types or locations.
- Cement-based adhesives are great for small ceramic tiles but may not hold heavy or non-porous tiles like porcelain.
- Epoxy adhesives provide excellent moisture resistance but can be unnecessary for low-traffic, dry spaces.
Ignoring Expansion Joints
Tiles naturally expand and contract due to temperature changes. Without proper space to move, they can crack or pop off. Source: Gresbond By Kajaria
Absorption of Water by Tiles
Generally, tiles have low and high water absorption rate. Where the water absorption of your tiles is high, the tiles are prone to easy expansion and cracking. When tiles begin to crack, they begin to fall off one after the other. It is better you determine this before you begin to install your tiles.
Quality of Tiles
The tiles’ quality on your wall may be the reason for your tiles falling off. When you fix tiles whose grouting was hastily done, or whose grout was not waterproof, you may face the problem of tiles falling off. The tiles that do not have adequate grout will become loose over time and give room for water seeping between the tiles and the wall. Tiles of this sort can only stay on the wall for some time. After a while, they begin to fall off one after the other. Source: Melacoll
We hope that this information has prepared you well enough to keep you confident in installing wall tiles for the appearance of your home or office. But if for some reason, you’ll encounter this problem, then don’t worry about it because we are here to help you address it. Just give us a call!
