Can water get behind shower wall tiles if there are no cracks in the tiles and grout?

Question

How would I know if water is behind the tiles?

Answer 1

If your caulk is done correctly and your grout really has no hair line fine cracks, chips or is missing and is sealed then you should not have water behind the tile. I had this problem with older tile that looked good but had very fine hair line cracks in the grout. I had to scrape out the old grout and put new in to stop getting water in between the old tub and the new tub liner. As the installer said to me, "Water will go via the path of least resistance even if you can't see the crack it is seeping thru."

Answer 2

Possibly: press lightly against the tile, if there's any area behind the tile that void then you'll feel it move slightly, then remove one or two tile and check by eye to make sure. It's best to do it now then later when there's a lot of damage.

Answer 3

call the contractors returned out and function them fix it. definite, curiously like they mixed the grout incorrectly. The tiles additionally should not be that close collectively. while they set the tiles, they should have located little plastic plus-sign-shaped spacers between all the tiles. This guarantees a uniform and marvelous-sized grout line (some million/4 inch for wall tiles) between all the tiles. looks like this tiler did not comprehend what he exchange into doing. in case you do attempt to repair it your self, get a grout knife interior the tile area of a house progression save. This has a serrated area to it which you employ to certainly grind into the grout (even with the certainty that it ought to not in super condition if the tiles are too close collectively). once you have floor out a brilliant style of the grout, blend and persist with a clean grout. additionally, seek for grout that certainly keeps to be somewhat versatile after it instruments (i don't bear in mind what that is referred to as). that is solid for moist areas like a bath and much less vulnerable to cracking.

Answer 4

It's not always necessary to remove tile to tell if the backer board / adhesive is bad. Just tap it hard with your fingertips. Good tile will give a solid thump, tile that's coming loose will give a sort of clack sound.

Answer 5

Sure, if there is a leak in the plumbing. If the tiles move when you apply pressure to them then the backerboard is probably damaged. Unfortunately, the only way to know is to remove tile and look.

Answer 6

Hairline cracks or flaws in caulking not visible to the naked eye, surely can allow water to permeate the shower walls.