rosebarnes•1mo agoProlific Poster

Tile on concrete installations are popping up everywhere now, what's your process?

Around my neighborhood, I SWEAR every other client is asking for tile over concrete slabs, especially in basements. Finished a garage job last month where the grout cracked in less than a week. The concrete seemed dry on top but felt cool and damp underneath. I followed my usual prep, using a sealant and letting it cure, but it still failed. How do you guys test for moisture before sticking tiles down? I've heard about plastic sheet tests but never tried them. Are there tools that make this easier without costing a fortune? Honestly, I'm losing sleep over these callbacks and NEED some solid advice.

3 comments

3 Comments

carter.laura1mo agoTop Commenter

That plastic sheet test is legit, tape it down tight and check for fog after 24 hours. I see the same damp basement issue in every older neighborhood around here.

richard_anderson1mo ago

Honestly, that plastic test seems like a waste of a day.

cole9941mo ago

You did a plastic sheet test AFTER the grout cracked? That's WILD, @carter.laura has the right idea to do it first. A cool slab is a huge red flag for trapped moisture. I bought a basic moisture meter for under a hundred bucks, it's not perfect but it gives a number to show the client why we have to wait. Skipping that test is just asking for a callback.