Common Reasons Why Tiles Get Detached From Walls (And How To Fix Them)

Tiles that get detached from the walls not only look unappealing but also lead to additional damages, if not treated within a specific time limit. The common causes for detached tiles are lacklustre installation and the presence of excess environmental moisture (especially inside bathrooms). 

But, apart from the aforementioned causes, there are also plenty of other reasons why tiles get detached from walls and ultimately fall. Knowing these causes beforehand will help you to take precautions to avoid such issues. 

Significant Reasons Why Tiles Get Detached From The Walls

1. Unprimed Plaster Used Underneath The Tiles

According to a professional service provider offering handyman services in Sydney, if you want your tile to stick completely onto a wall, then the plaster used underneath the tiles should be ideally primed. Using the primer will ensure that the area around the tile is completely waterproof while also keeping the tile securely in its original place. 

For priming the tiles, the product that’s utilised before installation is generally oil or latex-based. As a result, the primer offers a water-repellent coating. This primer must be applied to the entire wall area before any tile could be installed. 

2. Uncleaned Tiles Used For Installation

Before installing any tile, it’s critical to wipe & clean the same, so that any kind of chalk dust residue is eliminated. The presence of chalk dust will simply prevent the tiles from getting attached to the walls properly. 

3. Improperly Applied Adhesive

The adhesive that will be used for the tile installation should be water-resistant. The adhesive must be applied evenly. Otherwise, the tiles will get detached from the wall and fall off over time. 

4. Improperly Grouted Tiles

The rule of grouting is that - the tiles along with the adhesive must be given 24 hours to sit before performing any work of grouting. If grouting is done too early, then the adhesive might not get enough time to get strengthened and thereby the tile may get detached eventually. 

Apart from following the correct time for grouting the tiles, the material that will be used for tile grout should also be ideal. It's recommended that you opt for waterproof tile grout so that the tiles don't get affected by moisture intrusion and get detached from the walls. Some essential tile grouting tips:

• Grout must be applied evenly around the tile seams.

• Excess grout must be scraped away.

• At least 24 hours should be given for the grout to settle in.

How To Fix A Tile That’s Detached From The Wall?

• Remove The Tile

If the tile is detached from the wall and hasn’t fallen off yet, then proceed to remove the detached tile slowly. Ensure that when removing the detached tile, the adjacent tiles don’t get affected. 

In case the tile has fallen and broken, then you have to purchase a new tile. 

• Selecting The Adhesive

Once you’ve got the tile with you, you need to choose the proper adhesive. There are multiple tile adhesives available on the market. Consult with the seller so that you can select the ideal adhesive. 

Afterwards, apply a thin layer of adhesive on the back of the tile and press it firmly against the wall. 

• Grouting

Let the tile along with the adhesive sit for at least 24 hours. Finally, it’s time to grout the tile using a water-resistant tile grout. 

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