new mosaic wall tiles cracking

[irish eyes]

I recently tiled my kitchen splashback with mosaic tiles.
2 days on I nticed some of the tiles were cracked, and then today I heard a load pop and noticed more tiles were cracked. I have plenty of tiles left over so I can replace them, I just wanted to know what I did wrong that caused them to crack so I don't repeat my mistake. I followed the instructions on the adhesive and the grout as best I could. help please

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[davem]

Hi Irish,
The more detail you post about your project, the better. Things like: What did you put the tile on (drywall, cbu)?. What kind of adhesive, how much? What kind of grout, how long did you wait before grouting.? Anything you can think of. If you can get the info up while the pro's are at work, they can answer quicker. :)

[Cami A]

Well, irish, maybe while you're waiting for the pros to answer, you could tell a little more about the installation. It might help give a few clues to your problem.

Whatcha got behind the tiles, and can you describe how you put them up? Might as well throw in the size and type of tile while you're at at it. :D

edited to add that Dave's faster on the draw than I am. ;)

[irish eyes]

well, they're 1" x 1" on plasterboard as to the adhesive and grout don't know what kind it was other than the stuff the guy in the tile shop gave me! the adhesive merely says wall tile adheseive and the grout was for wall tiles & mosaics.
I spread the adhesive with the supplied notched spreader and stuck up the mosaic sheets. left for 24 hours then grouted, did run out of grout and have some edges to tidy up, but the tiles haven't cracked specifically where there is more grout required.

[Scooter]

Is the tile cracking or the grout line cracking?

[irish eyes]

the tile is cracking

[John Bridge]

Hi Irish, Welcome aboard. :)

I can't imagine what's going on there. I quite frankly have never heard of a situation such as yours. Goblins? Do you still have those things over there? :D

Let's hang tight. Someone may have an idea. Are the tiles extra fragile?

[Dog paws]

Extra fragile tile?
Substrate movement?
Bad and/or wrong glue?

Can you call or e-mail the tech dept. of the adhesive manufacturer? They might be able to shed some light.

[Scooter]

Mosiac Tile over drywall, applied with mastic. I can not imagine a more flexible application process.

Yet the tile is acting like it was set with thinset over 1x4 t&g in an earthquake zone.

I'm stumped. :bang: :rolleyes:

I could imagine the grout lines cracking but the phyical porceline mosiac. Mastic's bond to drywall couldn't be that strong could it? :confused: :confused:

[Bud Cline]

What kind of tile really. Is it glass or something exotic? Is it near a heat source? Do you have pictures?:confused:

[irish eyes]

they're glass I think, have the same tiles but in a differnet colour in the bathroom and they didn't crack. they are a kitchen splashback so yes they are near a heat source, the only explanation i've been able to come with by surfing the web and people guessing is that 1. some of the tiles didn't bond properly to the adhesive and as the tiles are on a webbed sheet the unbonded ones are under pressure from air pockets and crack!!
to John, no Goblins may be Leprechauns though!! maybe if I give back the gold i found under the rainbow my tiles will stop cracking!!

[flatfloor]

If not Leprechauns then it's definitely the Pookas.;)

I'll bet it's the heat.

[John Bridge]

I'm betting on leprechauns. I certainly don't have a better explanation. :(

Jim, I shouldn't ask, but what are pookas? :)

[flatfloor]

John in one of our many erudite discussions we attempted to define the technical word pookie. I felt it was derived from Irish Mythology A Pooka is a shape shifting magical being from Celtic folklore and a very mischievous being at that.

St Brendan had many run ins with them. :D

[John Bridge]

Aha. Best I not go there is Brendan's involved. :D

[WilliamL]

With glass tile,at least with glasswroks tile,you need to use a 1/16th v-notch trowel with white thin-set,back-butter everypiece.At least thats what the rep from glassworks said to me.Afriend who subs from the same company as me just did a glass shower and had the same problems,the home owner said it sounded like a fire cracker in her bathroom.I dont know if this will help or not,just wanted to get my 2cents in

[Rob Z]

Hi Irish Eyes

Did you set the tiles tightly between the countertop and the cabinets above? Did you grout the perimeter of the installation, or caulk a small gap around the edges where the tiles join cabinets, trim, appliances, etc.?

The load pop and the cracking you describe sounds like a situation where the field of tile is being stressed, although it is hard to imagine how it may be occuring. :confused:

[flatfloor]

If there is a heat source and I'm sure there is, wouldn't that cause the tile to expand and create the stress?

Keep in mind she has no problem in the bathroom.