Tiles seem to have moved - is this a problem to worry about

atsgmo · Post by **atsgmo** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 8:27 pm

Hi, we had our bathroom redone about 2.5 years ago and in our shower area I have just noticed that there seems to have appeared a slight lip in the tiles where it was previously covered by a metal strip. You can see the photo of the cut outs, and also a close up of where you can now see the top of the tile. I have only just noticed this so while it may be been like this a while it certainly was not how it was finished. Indeed, the rest of the cut out is flush to the metal strip so something seems to have moved.

Is this something to be concerned about or is it normal usage

Thank you

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:05 pm

not looking at all good if i am honest
probably needs stripping out and re doing and i mean a major repair or replacement rather than a quick seal here and there

atsgmo · Post by **atsgmo** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:09 pm

Thank you. What do you think is happening? Are the tiles unsticking from the wall?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:22 pm

I suspect that moisture has got in and the substrate, ply or plasterboard, has expanded and caused the tile to move. Okay, you could pull it off and repair but that would be drastic in relation to a slight separation. I would be inclined to run a bead of silicone over it to stop further water ingress.

DWD

atsgmo · Post by **atsgmo** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:10 pm

Thank you. that's what I am worried about -water getting in and making it worse. Removing the whole tiling area is obviously far from ideal but if it the right thing to do then I'll do it.I'll put some silicon over it to seal it up and have to keep an eye on it

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:28 pm

It is a wet area and therefore it is likely to get wet during use. To put this into perspective, that looks like a false wall, does it have a hollow sound if you tap it? It has possibly been constructed from a wooden frame sheathed in ply, plasterboard, or a cement-based tile backer board then tiled. I suspect it is ply or plasterboard as it has swollen. The main thing is to stop any more moisture from getting in and sealing it will stop this. If you stop the water it will dry out in time. Have a good look to make sure all gaps are sealed. Try to avoid getting shower spray on the shelf as water always finds the easiest way down which can prove to be tiny holes.

There is not an easy way to open up and look without breaking the tiles so unless you have a good supply of replacements then this should be a last resort and left until you decide to makeover the bathroom in the future. I should not worry about it, it is just one of things.

DWD

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:31 pm

if you have a choice dont use it for several weeks to allow any shrinking to happen before trying to reseal

atsgmo · Post by **atsgmo** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 11:13 pm

Thank you both. Unfortunately it's our only shower so we can't leave it unused for longer than a day or two.

It is a false plasterboard wall that has been tiled on and the shelves do seem to collect water easily from the overhead shower and the handheld shower unit. I'll get the silicone and do my best to seal it all over. If it shrinks back when it dries is it likely to go back under the metal strip?

Thank you

atsgmo · Post by **atsgmo** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 11:18 pm

We do have a good supply of the tiles left so that's not a worry. But since this was a major renovation two years ago we have no more plans to do anything to it for many years. Hopefully I can seal it and it will shrink back again. Is this likely?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 11:26 pm

You cannot tell, but that is not a wide gap and a bead of silicone will look in keeping. Try not to overfocus on it, it is annoying rather than a major issue in my opinion.

DWD

atsgmo · Post by **atsgmo** » Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:18 am

Thanks

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Thu Dec 31, 2020 11:19 am

ok my thoughts
the problem is not the front its standing water getting trapped at the back then leaking through so the trim needs to come off or at least an unsightly bead both back and front :dunno:

atsgmo · Post by **atsgmo** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 3:18 pm

Thank you. I'll do the silicone on the back and hope that works. I can live with the slight gap at the front if it doesn't get worse