There are instances where floor tiles bulge or lift after house construction has been completed costing homeowners in repair funds
Once the tiles bulge, they must be repaired immediately to prevent them from breaking and peeling off.
Kenyans.co.ke detailed instances where tiles can bulge and how to avoid.
Type of tiles
In Kenya, the common types of tiles are granite and ceramic. Each tile has a specific way of installation and failure to do so can cause bulging.
According to Ceramics Tile and Stone Consultants Inc, granite or porcelain tiles should be installed using adhesive instead of ordinary cement.
While ceramic tiles can be fixed using ordinary cement, they must first be soaked in water to prevent bulging once the construction is done.
Trees
Roots from nearby trees can extend to the soil beneath your house and cause shifting that lead to the bulging of tiles.
Since roots grow towards water and nutrients, a cracked plumbing pipe near the home can cause water to seep into the soil making the roots gravitate in that direction.
To prevent such, a root barrier should be placed around the foundation of the house before construction starts.
Type of soil
Bulging of tiles can also be caused by expansive reactive soil. This is soil that bulks with moisture content and shrinks when dry.
The phenomenon is common in clay and black cotton soil. Before building in such soil, there is a need to consult a certified contractor.
