Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ? (2024)

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Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ? (1)

ppp

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Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ?

Saturday

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.

Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ? (2)Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ? (3)

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

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Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ? (4)

Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ? (5)JacobZ

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Re: Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ?

yesterday

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

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Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ? (6)

ppp

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Re: Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ?

yesterday

Thanks Jacob for your thoughts.

Will wait for other thoughts and then proceed.

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Jewelleryrescue

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Re: Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ?

yesterday

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.

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Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ? (8)

Dave-1

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Re: Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ?

yesterday

Afternoon@ppp

Cracked tiles are a pain, id did like the first quote until@JacobZpointed 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

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TedBear

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Re: Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ?

yesterday

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.

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Nailbag

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Re: Hair Line Cracks in Shower Floor Tiles - Which Is Right Way to Fix ?

yesterday

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. If this was my shower, I would tackle it this way.

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

(A) Then there is most likely a structural issue which can only be addressed by rebuilding the shower.

(B) It's now a cosmetic issue. Though the cracks can't be repaired, the confidence of a sealed shower can be achieved by an epoxy coating taking it up 2 courses of the tiled wall. 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, which done properly should be around the $300 mark and come with a warranty. No warranty then find someone else. Skip the big name companies as they don't offer any more than higher prices. Find someone local with consistent reviews and go with your gut-feeling when you meet them.

Nailbag

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