Hello,

I'm new to the forum and was wondering if someone could provide input.

I am an insurance adjuster and get called out every so often to look at issues in basements where the tile has either come loose, or lifted.

Other than the obvious, seeing whether the concrete was painted prior to the install, is there any way to identify what could cause 13" square tile on concrete to buckle as much as 2"?
The homeowner said the tile was installed 17 years ago and held up perfectly until a recent sewer backup????

I'm asking because I currently have a claim in the Woodbridge area in a home which is 3000 sf.

Short of sending an engineer, was wondering if someone could shine more light.

Thanks in advance,

Fern

Hi
What you described is called TENTING. The main cause of this is a lack of expansion joints. The perimeter joint around the area should not be tight against the walls, and it should not be grouted. This 1/4 inch joint would be covered with baseboard anyway, so you would not see it. If no baseboard were installed, then a flexible caulking should be used. Also, in a large area, there should be expansion joints in the field of the tile too. At least every 15 to 20 feet....again filled with a flexible caulking. And where there is a change of direction, such as an L shaped room, there should be an expansion joint where there is that change. Wow... I did a really bad job of describing this didn't I ?

You did fine Bri, heck, even I understood that!

Yup, it's tenting alright. The reason is just as Brian described. Expansion joints are often omitted because some installers don't know how or where to place them. Plus it takes more time and money, and usually the homeowners don't want them since the caulk doesn't match the grout exactly. BTW, the Tile Council Of North America recommends every 20-25' in each direction for interior, but more is good.

In addition, there are other 'movement joints' that come into play. Among these are; construction joints, cold joints, contraction joints, control joints, isolation joints and expansion joints. What to do when... can be tricky, especially because the expansion joint must be directly over any 'movement joints' in the concrete, which are NEVER in the right place, and are not straight or squared to each other.

I've seen and repaired areas that buckled up maybe 18" or more? I'm sure your claimant is right that they hadn't had any real problem until the backup. I wouldn't surprise me though if many of those tile were already loose from previous movement.

Jaz

Thanks very much guys, your explanation made lots of sence...

I will not approach things a little differently. Unfortunately for the homeowner, their policy does not cover the cost of correcting what is considered " faulty workmanship".

BTW there are lots of areas throughout the basement where by tapping on the tile you can hear it is loose.

Mr insurance man.............It held 17 years before it buckled...How is that faulty workmanship?

insurance man- i was on a job not long ago in woodbridge where the people had really nice red marble in the basement and it all flooded and had to be removed. im just curious if i was going to try to get involved with insurance jobs, what would u suggest, how to go about it etc?
what do you guys look for in replacing a job? a good price? because if thats all it takes then i think i should start makeing contact with some insurance people

thanks , steve