Don’t let Popping Tiles Crack your Policy

Cracking, lifting or popping tiles is a very common problem for homeowners. And to add to your frustration, the majority of claims against popping tiles are rejected. Why do tiles pop? The two main causes are shoddy labour and the weather.

If you’re building a new home or renovating your current space, be sure to get the right tiler for the job. Ask other construction professionals for reliable recommendations and ask the tiler for references. Don’t skimp on cheaper, poor quality materials and don’t settle for a job poorly done. Things to look out for that may cause lifting or cracking problems down the line are:

• the sub-floor is not level;
• the sub-floor was not properly cleaned or left to dry completely before installation;
• a proper rubber soft-blow hammer was not used to settle the tiles;
• using the wrong adhesives or mortar mixtures;
• opting for materials of a poor quality; and
• not spacing the tiles correctly.

Unfortunately, there’s not much anyone can do about the other main cause – the weather. Certain weather conditions, like severe cold or heat, can cause air trapped inside a tile to expand or contract and break the tile. Heat from direct sunlight may even cause tiles to expand and, if incorrect or sub-par adhesives had been used, to buckle or pop up. Tiles in high moisture areas, or that are exposed to a lot of damp, are also at risk of swelling and breaking.

To trigger a claim, damage is defined in terms of your insurance policy as “Physical loss or damage caused by a single, sudden, unintentional and unexpected event, which occurs at an identifiable time”. Contact us to check if your policy makes provision for these types of claims, or to review your home’s insurance.

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