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  1. #1
    imported_John Smith's Avatar
    imported_John Smith Guest

    Default Ceramic Tile Underlayment on Slab

    An aquaintance of mine indicated his 4 year old home was starting to have some of the ceramic floor tiles loosen up. The house has a post tensioned concrete slab. He indicated that there was some "black stuff" between the ceramic tile, thinset and slab. The way he described it, it sounded like tar paper.

    I haven't personally seen it yet, but I haven't seen anything go between the slab and tile (other than thinset) on any houses I have looked at during new construction.

    For what its worth, he indicated the house was built by Village Builders.

    Is this something used as a vapor barrier?

    I will try to get some photos of it.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
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    Default Re: Ceramic Tile Underlayment on Slab

    CIM? (Crack Isolation Membrane):

    FIELD REPORT 109


  3. #3
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: Ceramic Tile Underlayment on Slab

    I've seen drainage mats under some tile jobs but that is normally found under a high end tile job.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Orlando, FL
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    1,592

    Default Re: Ceramic Tile Underlayment on Slab

    Tar paper makes a poor crack isolation membrane, but some tile installers still use it.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Ceramic Tile Underlayment on Slab

    Quote Originally Posted by Dom D'Agostino View Post
    Tar paper makes a poor crack isolation membrane, but some tile installers still use it.

    Felt paper is a *worse than poor* crack isolation membrane and *SHOULD NOT BE USED for that purpose.

    A crack isolation membrane should not be affected by water or moisture, and felt paper is. It will, *of course*, wrinkle when it gets wet, which will, *of course*, de-bond itself from the thin set.

    The Tile Council of America and the Marble Institute of America have specific guidelines and requirements for the use of crack separation membranes, and one is (if I remember correctly) the forbidden use of thin set when a crack isolation membrane is used. When a crack isolation membrane is used, a mud set is required to be used on top of the crack isolation membrane - otherwise the tile will crack, come loose, or 'tent'.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
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    Default Re: Ceramic Tile Underlayment on Slab

    Quote Originally Posted by imported_John Smith View Post
    For what its worth, he indicated the house was built by Village Builders.
    Most homes are built by folks who come from the Village!

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  7. #7
    imported_John Smith's Avatar
    imported_John Smith Guest

    Talking Re: Ceramic Tile Underlayment on Slab

    Scott,
    I thought they were built by the Village People.
    Seriously thanks for all of the replies guys.
    I will try to get some photos and determine whats really going on.
    A 4 year old house with these types of problems (oh yeah he has a water leak in a wall somewhere) is unfortunate for the homeowners, but makes it a lot easier to sell the public on the true value of home inspection!


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