Hollow sounding tiles - is this normal?

[Transform_IT]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a newly built house and paid extra for some upgrades, including £7,000 for tiling the kitchen and hallway. The tiles look great, but I've noticed several have hollow spots when tapped, even after the developer has already replaced or re-adhesived many of them. Typically, about 70% of a tile sounds solid, but some areas, like a corner or a midpoint, sound hollow. Is this normal, or should I address this issue with the developer again?

Thanks,

T_IT

 

[Sin_Chase]

If its hollow because there is insufficient adhesive its at higher risk of failure.

Either get it done properly or get some kind of written guarantee (not that it would be worth much as the developer will fold and resume trading as a new enitity)

£7,000 is a LOT of money for tiling 2 rooms so I would be inclined to get an independent assessment of the work.

 

[Participant]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a newly built house and paid extra for some upgrades, including £7,000 for tiling the kitchen and hallway. The tiles look great, but I've noticed several have hollow spots when tapped, even after the developer has already replaced or re-adhesived many of them. Typically, about 70% of a tile sounds solid, but some areas, like a corner or a midpoint, sound hollow. Is this normal, or should I address this issue with the developer again?

Thanks,

T_IT

It normally means insufficient coverage of tile adhesive and / or dips in surface.

Some cowboy tilers will dot and dab tiles rather than notched trowel with back buttering for full coverage.

Whatever the reason, it's improper installation.

 

[Transform_IT]

It normally means insufficient coverage of tile adhesive and / or dips in surface.

Some cowboy tilers will dot and dab tiles rather than notched trowel with back buttering for full coverage.

Whatever the reason, it's improper installation.

Thanks for your responses. Based on what you've shared, it seems the hollow spots indicate insufficient adhesive, putting the tiles at higher risk of failure. This improper installation is concerning, especially given the cost.

The developer is large and operates multiple sites across the UK and Scotland. We do have a 2-year period to address such issues, but I worry that with regular foot traffic, the inadequate adhesive might cause the tiles to move, potentially requiring a full replacement in the future if matching tiles become unavailable.

Given these points, I'll be reaching out to the developer to ensure the tiling is redone properly.

Thanks.

 

[Buffman]

The tiles as they are probably wouldn't move, but will be more likely to break from dropping something on them, and also cracks in grout lines if they are dot and dabbed.

 

[Reuben klang]

Sounds like dot and dab, honestly frustrated for you does my head in when people do that. Installer just doesnt give a **** or simply isnt a tiler!

 

[peige]

As the others say, its dot and dab but probably done poorly too. Even with dot and dab it has to be pretty low on adhesive to be giving the sort of gaps that give you the hollow sound. unlikely to just fail but certainly a weak point that will fail if its somewhere that takes pressure.

 

[Hedge]

Just use your heel and crack em by "accident"