Why do some of my tiles sound hollow?

If the tile is well bonded (i.e. attached to the concrete substrate), it will have a high-pitched sound. If you hear a lower-pitched or a hollow sound, this can indicate that tiles have debonded, or were never bonded, somewhere within the tile assembly. A low tone is not a cause for immediate panic, however.

What does unfilled travertine mean?

Unfilled travertine is a type of sedimentary stone. It forms in a natural process that is often found in hot springs. You can also sometimes find it in caves where stone formations develop. Travertine is a form of limestone. It comes in many colours.

Are hollow tiles a defect?

FUNCTIONAL DEFECTS ‘Drummy’ or hollow sounding tiles indicate a bond failure. According to AS 3958.1, this would be considered a functional defect where 20% or more of any individual tile is ‘drummy’, or not bonded.

Why is my tile making noise?

The noises could be an indication that you have too much deflection in the floor and that the tile bond coat is not bonded as well as it should be. The grout coming out is an indication that the floor is not structurally stable enough and has excessive deflection.

Can hollow tiles be fixed?

There is no way to repair the hollow tiles so they are not hollow any longer other than replace them.

What is the difference between filled and unfilled travertine?

Part of travertine’s unique appeal is that it is available in two distinct forms — filled and unfilled. In “filled” travertine, a color-matched material is used at the factory to fill the holes, giving the stone a smooth finish. In “unfilled” travertine the natural holes remain exposed for a rustic, earthy finish.

What is the difference between honed and tumbled travertine?

For filled travertine, the natural ridges and holes are filled, while unfilled travertine tile leaves a bit of natural groove in the treated tile. Tumbled tile or marble goes through a process to create the perfectly imperfect surface.

Is hollow tiles a problem?

Although a hollow sounding tile can be a symptom of a defect. A tile having a hollow sound could be an indication that there is a void under those hollow sounding spots and/or the tile isn’t bonded at those hollow sounding spots.

Will hollow tiles crack?

Perhaps the tiles are still partially attached at the corners or somewhere in the middle, but it’s just a matter of time before a hollow tile begins to crack. Depending on what’s happening underneath the flooring, these kinds of problems may be caused by, among other things, structure settlement or weak underlayment.

Why do my travertine tiles sound hollow?

The hollow sound from the individual tiles angers me. ANSWER – Hairline cracks in the travertine could have developed for a number of reasons.

Does hollow sound mean the tile is not bonded?

Other systems that intentionally separate the tile layer from the substrate (such as the mortar bed with a cleavage membrane system like TCNA Handbook detail F111) should be closely examined to ascertain if hollow sounds necessarily imply that the tile is not bonded.

How do you fix hollow tiles that sound hollow?

There are several other ways that you can fix your hollow-sounding tiles. If you still think that the issue is coming from under the tile, here are a few ways to go about it: Use backer rods and thin-set between each row of tile to make them float level with the previous row.

Does a hollow floor mean my tile will crack?

Please visit the TCA Team for information on these types of services. If the floor sounds hollow, does it mean my tile will crack? Occasionally, a floor will sound hollow even when the tile is well bonded.