How to fix hair-line cracks in shower floor tiles?

[ppp]

Hello All,

I don't want to DIY so got two quotes from professionals, but I'm confused which is the right way to fix.

1) $1400 Quote= The first quote recommended to remove shower screens to access joints beneath the framing, de-grout floor, de-grout bottom row wall tiles on 2 walls. Remove wall/floor silicone joints. Re-grout shower floor and perimeter joints with epoxy light grey grout. Grout bottom row walls with white epoxy grout. Silicone floor perimeter and wall joints. Refit shower screen and silicone. Also replace 3 broken tiles with spare ones which I've from the builder. 

No warranty offered on shower screen due to age and condition (Plastic clips or glass - 8-year-old house)

2) $250 Quote= Simply apply marine grade epoxy to hairline crack without removing anything. However, this tradie says there is a risk of breaching waterproofing upon removing the effected tile completely and singular tile removal is not the method of repair used but rather a colored marine grade epoxy be applied to the hairline crack to seal water from being able to enter under the tiles.

My only intention is fixing the issue without worrying about it in the future but there is a risk of breaching waterproofing membrane in the first quote (while replacing broken tiles with new ones, also the quote may increase to extra 1k or 2k if there is any damage to shower glass while removing and replacing them) and second quote seems to be a temporary fix.

What do you guys suggest please?

Thanks for your time

[JacobZ]

Hi @ppp,

Thank you for your question about repairing cracked tiles in your bathroom.

As you are aware, beneath the tiles is a waterproof membrane, which if damaged can mean a far larger repair is necessary.

While quote 1 is a far more comprehensive repair, and the breakdown of steps they've provided seems to be the best method of attack, they have not mentioned anything about the potential for damage to your waterproof membrane. 

I'd suggest in terms of the quality of repair this is a better option, but you should definitely query their thoughts on potential damage to the membrane before proceeding.

Allow me to tag some of our knowledgeable members for their thoughts, @Nailbag, @TedBear, @Dave-1, @Jewelleryrescue.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[ppp]

Thanks Jacob for your thoughts.

Will wait for other thoughts and then proceed.

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi  @ppp 

I heard you re no  DIY solution  for you .  But if your shower isnt leaking then water proof  membrain still in place so try not disturb it at all.

Start  ripping out full showers and possible membrains could  quickly  leed to having to retile and re membrain whole floor  for starters. more than $1400

Will more tiles break over time is another issue. Whats the underlying cause?  as too repair effectivness.

The only issue for me  with a for some slightly cracked tile other  than  a  full on water leak is sharp glass like  tile edges if that is your tile situation

If I owned those tiles I would first use a thin smear of grey silicon and fill the crack. With a  gloved  hand.  Then wait and see if cracking stops

Easiest  option. 

3rd  option get a  quote to simply retile over old floor tiles  as the water proof membrain is intact just need to lift floor drain or use and insert floor waste to match new tile  height.

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @ppp 

Cracked tiles are a pain, id did like the first quote until @JacobZ pointed out the waterproof issue. Id be happier if that was explained straight up. 

Depends on how much you want to spend, if you go for the second option and in the end you have to remove the tiles due to waterproofing what have you lost?

As a side note, I had the same issue years ago (a decade and a half) and tried doing an option like the second. 😕 yeah didnt work.

Dave

[TedBear]

Hi @ppp , the choice you make depends on in the level of perfection that you want to achieve. Quote one sounds like overkill to me. Filing tile cracks with epoxy is commonly done, especially given that the alternative requires a huge leap in complexity and cost. Epoxy will prevent water from entering and a good tiler should be able to colour match it pretty well. 

[Nailbag]

Hi @ppp 

I guess my first question is around why the tiles cracked in the first place as this is highly unusual without being caused by physical contact. That aside and as someone who has recently addressed my own ensuite shower as having failed waterproofing, pricing for repair can be significant between quotes even for the same job. 

As @Jewelleryrescue mentioned, are the tiles settled (A) or are they continuing to crack (B)?

(A) Then there is most likely a structural issue which would then require some form of partial or full rebuild of the shower recess. A partial as per Quote 1 appears to cover this well at a reasonable price but has no mention of a clear wall tile epoxy. Even with epoxy grouts I would question why still not have an epoxy clear-coat over the floor extending up one or two courses. I didn't have any cracked tiles, but all the quotes I had included this epoxy clear seal as a double measure of waterproofing and certificate of warranty.

(B) If the cracks have settled then besides a waterproofing concern its a cosmetic one to. So a decision needs to be made if you can live with that? They could be filled with an epoxy grout to make them less noticeable as part of quote 2. But again just for reassurance taking the clear coat up 2 courses. From the photos both your edged silicone and grout look to be in excellent condition, which means just the coating is all that is required.

It's worth getting another couple of quotes for each type of repair.

Nailbag

[ppp]

Thank you very much for your valuable thoughts here @JacobZ @Nailbag @TedBear, @Dave-1, @Jewelleryrescue.

Hahahahahahhah to be honest I'm confused now regarding the fix. 

Underlying issue = These are tradies words. 

++++++++++

– Crack to perimeter tile in shower base most likely cause is seasonal movement in combination with generalized expansion within the
tiles (thermal & moisture expansion) It visually appears that the wall tiles are laid directly on top of the floor base tiles with no allowance for generalized movement. Usually, small spacers are used between the floor tiles & first row of wall tiles upon initial tiling to avoid pressure between the two & hairline cracks appearing.

++++++++++

The house is 8 years old, and this is the first I'm seeing cracks in the shower so is it fair to say cracks have settled? Not sure

[Nailbag]

Hi @ppp 

It's a toughie I know. But after those comments from the tradie, then I would probably lean towards option 2 if you can live with the hairline cracks filled in. It's a far cheaper option that should see you through for some  considerable time with far less disruption with not a lot of money spent. Then should the situation deteriorate look at the more invasive option 1. I would just make sure with option 3 that a clear epoxy coating is applied across the entire floor and up 1-2 time courses.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @ppp 

My thinking follows along with @Nailbag  after your respones. Must admit when I first saw the cracks in the tiles I wondered what had caused them to crack that way. Id be goingtoward soption 2 and keeping a close eye on it for sure.

Dave