tiles in bathroom seem to be soaking up water...please help

[Webby Bear]

hi guys, hope you're all well.




i'm really looking for some help as i reckon i made a right cock up!!!

i laid tiles on my bathroom floor. laid them over tongue and groove, used water proof adhesive and grout and it looks great. i took my time to make a real good job of it.

theyve been down for about october time.

we've just noticed though that the cream colour tiles that sit under the sistern have turned a darker colour. obviously during showers/baths the condensation does drip water on to the tiles.

are the tiles soaking up water? if so any remedial action i can take?

thanks in advance

[wine~o]

What sort of tiles?? ceramic tend to be impervious to water whereas natural stone/travertine can need sealing to prevent water ingress..any chance of some pics of the affected area??

[Webby Bear]

thanks mate, i aint got me camera handy.... but i can say it looks like a shadow (but definitely is discolouring)

ive laid them on waterproof adhesive. if the water has got through do u reckon ive soaked the floor boards underneathe or would the layer of waterproof adhesive stop that??

thanks for your help :)

[Webby Bear]

oh and yes they are ceramic :)

[Colour Republic]

You should have laid a backer board or ply down before tiling the floor, there is a very real chance the tiles will start to crack due to deflection and/or expansion/contraction of a T&G floor

That of course has no baring on them discolouring, are you sure they are ceramic? and not porcelain?

[wine~o]

And what about the grout...was that waterproof/resistant/sealed???

[Webby Bear]

yeah the grout was the waterproof too

[Colour Republic]

yeah the grout was the waterproof too

I doubt it was, as most grouts are water resistant not waterproof. None the less most grouts will withstand moisture to the point were it will discolour the biscuit of a ceramic tile. My guess is the tiles need sealing although unless you can be certain of what the tiles are made from then the type of sealer required will vary in some cases.

If this is moisture then it will need to fully dry before you seal, there is also a chance it could be adhesive staining from behind the tile but would again depend on what the tiles are made from.

[Webby Bear]

ok great stuff thank you :)

so can i get a sealant from wickes? and presumably once ive dried out the tiles i just paint (the correct sealant) on to the tiles and grout lines?

cheers.

[Colour Republic]

There are many sealers on the market that work in different ways.

Most ceramic tiles would not need sealing which makes me believe that's not what your tiles are, do you still have the box handy?

Edit: also the word ceramica on the side does not always mean they are ceramic tiles

[Webby Bear]

heres the exact tiles... second tile (malaya tiles)

http://www.toppstiles.co.uk/search_resu ... &p_4=Cream

[Webby Bear]

sorry try this link...

http://www.toppstiles.co.uk/search_resu ... &p_4=Cream

[Webby Bear]

lol why does it ***** toppstiles????

[Colour Republic]

OK i'm surprised if water was penetrating through the face of the those tiles, what adhesive and what grout did you use?

[Webby Bear]

i used the following adhesive.....

http://reviews.diy.com/2191-en_gb/9277229/reviews.htm

dark grey in colour.

i used a white ready mixed grout from unibond.