How to avoid common failures in ceramic tile installations

1. How to Avoid
Failures
David M. Gobis CTC CSI
©2009
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2. Coverings is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of
Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on
completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA
members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are
available on request.
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing
professional education. As such, it does not include content that
may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by
the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of
handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will
be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
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3. Learning Objectives
• All tile and setting material is not created
equal. Are yours up to the task?
• Tile Industry and substrate trades
guidelines, valuable resouces.
• Is your available labor qualified to do the
job?
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4. Material Selection
It is all about
•Planning
•Selection
• Execution
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5. Planning
 The right materials for the application
 The right method for the application
 The right labor skills for the job
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6. Proper Planning is About
This Not this
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7. Most Common Complaints
• Movement Joints
• Substrates
• Waterproofing
• Large Tile
• Thinsets
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8. Substrate Issues
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9. Appropriate Substrate
Concrete
American Concrete Tile Council of North America
Institute American National Standards
• ACI 302.2R-21 • F-113
• CHAPTER 5—FLOOR COVERING slab to be well cured, dimensionally
AND ADHESIVE MANUFACTURER’S stable, and free of cracks, waxy or oily
RECOMMENDATIONS films, and curing compounds.
• 5.1—Introduction • ANSI A108.01
The architect and engineer should • 3.1.2.1
communicate to ensure that the • Do not use liquid curing compounds or
requirements for floor coverings in other coatings that may prevent
Division 9 of Construction bonding of tile setting materials to
Specifications Institute (2000) slabs. Use control joints through the
specifications are compatible with slab and tile finish as specified or
Division 3 requirements for concrete in where cracks are anticipated.”
the same specification
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10. Substrate Preparation
Clean Bondable
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11. Proper Substrate Preparation
YES ! NO !!!!!
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12. Wood Substrates
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13. Appropriate Substrate
Wood
Engineered Wood Assoc. Tile Industry
• maximum variation in plywood
surface shall not exceed 1/4"
in10'-0" and 1/16" in 1'-0" from
the required plane. Adjacent
edges of plywood sheets—
www.apawood.or max. 1/32" above or below
g each other.
• floor systems, including the
framing system and subfloor
panels, over which tile will be
installed shall be in
conformance with the IRC
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14. Large Tile
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15. Big Tile and Patterns
Consider 1/3 offset with Make sure modular
12x24 tile patterns fit
To minimize any natural warpage

16. This recent Standards revision now includes a
category for Rectified Tile

17. Lippage Allowances (minus
warpage)
Tile Type Tile Size Grout Joint Width Allowable
Glazed wall/Mosaics 1” x 1” to 6”x6” 1/8” or less 1/32”
Quarry 6” x 6” to 8”x8” 1/4“ or greater 1/16”
Paver (porcelain) All 1/8” to 1/4“ 1/32”
Paver (porcelain) All 1/4“ or greater 1/16”
1/32” of an inch is .0312 or about the thickness of a credit card
1/16” of an inch is .0625 or about the thickness of a penny

18. Lighting
Critical Lighting Effects
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19. Planning for Waterproofing
The right materials for the application
The right method for the application
The right labor skills for the job
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20. Appropriate Design
3 Years Old 2 Years Old
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21. Appropriate Design
One Year Old
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22. Appropriate Design
And Even More Bad Ideas
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23. Appropriate Design
Showers Need Effective Waterproofing
Board set Door
on tub Nail
Waterproofing
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24. Appropriate Design
Plumbing code may be insufficient to protect the structure
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25. Enhanced?
Appropriate Design
Consider waterproofing the entire area at the surface
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26. Thinsets
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27. Mortar / Dry-Set / Thin-set
Confusing Terminology
• ANSI 118.1 Dry-Portland Cement (Un-modified Thin-set)
• ANSI 118.4 Latex or Polymer-Portland Cement Mortar
(Modified Thin-set)
– Wall Tile Thin-set Mortar (Non-Sag Mortar)
– Crack Prevention Mortar (Flexible Thin-set)
– Complete Contact Mortar (No Back Buttering over flat surfaces)
– Rapid Setting Mortar (allows grouting and foot traffic faster)
– Medium Bed Mortars (Apply up to ¾” without excess shinkage )
– ANSI 118.11 EGP Latex Mortar (Thin-set Over
Plywood)

28. Get Specific Recommendations
for Glass Tile
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29. Not All Thinsets Suitable for
Exterior Use
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30. Ceramic Tile is NOT Structural
Always make sure
the method used for
installation provides at
least 80% coverage
equally distributed, 95%
in wet areas or exterior
applications.

31. Dots Don’t Work!
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32. Ridges, Exterior Deck, Freeze/Thaw
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33. Movement Joints
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34. Always Provide Movement Joints
• interior — 20’ to 25' in each
direction.
• exterior — 8' to 12' in each
direction.
• interior tilework exposed to
direct sunlight or moisture — 8’
to 12'
• where tilework abuts
restraining surfaces
• same as grout joint, but not
less than 1/4".

35. Incorporated into Every Job
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36. Recent Job
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37. The Question is NOT Will There
be Movement
It Is How Much
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38. Questions?
Dave Gobis
Independent Technical Consultant
262-994-1175
dave@ceramictileconsultant.com
© 2009
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