Anyone with tiled floors will have experienced at some stage the frustration of having loose floor tiles. Not only do loose floor tiles look unsightly, they can also pose a hazard to yourself, family or guests if not taken care of appropriately.

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But what causes floor tiles to become loose? There are a wide range of factors which can play a part:

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Adhesion issues

One of the most common reasons for tiles coming loose is that the tile has not been laid with the right amount of adhesive, or the adhesive has been applied incorrectly.

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Not applying the right amount of adhesive is a major factor in tiles becoming loose. This practise is known as ‘dobbing’, where the tiler has applied small patches of glue to the tile rather than an even coating. This allows hollow voids to appear, which when exposed to everyday traffic can cause stress to the tile and eventually lead to the tile coming loose. This can often be found in corner tiles or tiles in difficult to reach areas.

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Another major cause of loose tiles is the incorrect adhesive being used. If a tile is being laid on a timber floor or on a smooth surface, it is important that the right glue is used or the surface is prepared appropriately before laying. If this is done incorrectly, your tiles will come loose rather quickly.