Case 1
- Introduction
- Causes of Defects
- Good Practices
- Standards
- Maintenance and Diagnostics
- Remedial
- Similar Cases
- References
Cause of Defects
Possible causes:
- Poor quality tiles
Poor quality tiles used that do not meet the requirement of acceptable standards in terms of impact resistance. This can be due to the negligence of contractors by not obtaining the tiles from reliable suppliers who provide supporting documents regarding the technical performance of the tiles.
- Poor workmanship
Improper handling and cutting of tiles during installation stage can lead to damage of tiles. Quality control might not be exercised to discard damaged tiles.
- Improper protection to finished works
Tiles chipped after installation by workers of other trades due to lack of protection to the finished surface.
- Human acts
Impact force applied onto tile during service stage due to accidental knocks.
Consequences
- Loss of aesthetic
- Water penetration and efflorescence
Flaking of tile surfaces will allow water penetration through the porous body of the tile into the layers of backing which in turn will cause leaching out of soluble salts present in the cementitious backings. When exposed to the environment, upon drying of the solution, crystallization of white deposits on the surface of the body will be formed.