• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • Product Spotlights
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP

CTEF Tile Tip: There Should Not Be Any Broken Ceramic Tile

CTEF_Top Story
December 17, 2016

Thin set and the new large and heavy tile mortars serve several functions within a tile assembly. They bond to the substrate, support the tile and bond to the back of the tile. When these three key elements are provided, the job will last for many trouble-free years.

However, there are other factors that also contribute to this success. The selection of the appropriate trowel type and notch size is critical. For instance, when a “v” notched trowel is used, the narrow point of the notch does not provide the coverage necessary to properly support the underside of the tile. Using a notch which is too small will not allow enough mortar to be applied and likewise not support the tile.

Experience has shown that troweling the mortar in one direction, as seen in the National Tile Contractors Association’s (NTCA) Trowel & Error video, yields the best mortar coverage on the back of the tile. Here the mortar is troweled in a left to right direction; the tile is then placed into the mortar and moved in a back-and-forth motion perpendicular to the trowel ridges. This movement collapses the trowel ridges into the valleys, leaving very few to no voids in the mortar which supports the entire back of the tile.

Additionally, the mortar must be spread completely up to the layout line. Installers who stay away from the chalk line in order to eliminate mortar squeezing up in the grout joints leave dangerous voids, which can result in catastrophic failure—especially in areas subject to high heels or point loads such as pallet jacks, pianos or a refrigerator.

Experience is a great teacher, but failing to follow established methods and best practices may result in long-term issues. In the attached photo, you can see that two adjacent tiles are broken, with those pieces being much lower than the unbroken tile around them. The cause of the failure was multi-faceted. The installer did not spread the mortar with a recommended trowel, there was no mortar at the edge of the tile and the installer was not qualified. The installer in this case had been placing tile for a grand total of three weeks. The tile industry gets another black eye and an unhappy customer. Using qualified labor provides the best possibility for success and continued quality.

KEYWORDS: flooring industry news

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Installation How-To
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Residential Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

More Videos

Popular Stories

Ken Ballin manning the Tools 4 Flooring booth in Tool Alley at TISE 2025

10 Tool Innovations Every Flooring Contractor Should Have on Their Wish List

RevWood American Originals.jpg

How Mohawk's Domestic Manufacturing Powers Growth in Challenging Times

Paul Hambidge

The Waterproof Laminate Myth: Why Consumer Expectations May Never Be Met

Installation Awards - Vote Now!

Events

June 9, 2025

NeoCon 2025

A trade show for the commercial interior design industry.

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Flooring Groups

Flooring retailers, do you belong to a buying, marketing or franchise group?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • CTEF1

    CTEF Tile Tip: There Should Not Be Any Broken Ceramic Tile

    See More
  • broken tile

    CTEF Tile Tip: There Should Not Be Any Broken Ceramic Tile

    See More
  • Laminate Floors Install

    CTEF Tile Tip: Fix Your Ceramic Tile Installation, Or You May Not Get Paid

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • ceramic art tile.jpg

    Ceramic Art Tile for the Home

  • M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\Flooring images\new FL site\Glass_Tile_Inspirations.gif

    Glass Tile Inspirations for Kitchens And Baths

  • a108_nov21_cover.jpg

    ANSI A108-A118-A136.1 Tile Industry Specifications

See More Products

Related Directories

  • Ceramic Tile Education Foundation

    CTEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution writing curriculum and offering certification testing and training programs for ceramic tile installation, inspection, and professional development. Facilities include Nashville, TN and Egg Harbor City, NJ, as well hosted locations around the country.
×

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP