How to install ceramic tile flooring Part 9 - Caulking wall joints
Your efforts to install ceramic tile flooring have paid off so far. But at this
point, there are a few
things to take into consideration as you go forward. For instance, your ceramic
tile will still need
your attention when it comes to things like room temperature and expansion
which will affect the
life of your ceramic tile floor. Here is a select list of considerations to
take into account when
looking to address the issue of expansion and general stability of your ceramic
tile flooring
install:
Expansion
All tiles may expand or contract depending on temperature fluctuations. This
can be prevented
by including wall joints during tile installation. The wall joints are also
known as expansion
joints. Including suitable expansion joints throughout the field of tile allows
the tile to push
against flexible caulking material rather than hard cement grout. Therefore,
caulk will prevent or
reduce expansion and contraction to a certain extent.
Wall joints
You can choose caulk instead of grout for joints along the walls. There are
also other benefits to
using caulk along wall joints. The elastic nature of a caulked joint stretches
and contracts in
response to the tile, preventing buckling and cracking of the tile from the
substrate. Color-
matched caulking now available from manufacturers allows for next-to-invisible
integration of
this requirement. Proper usage of either grout or caulk would virtually
eliminate cracked tiles
and grout.
The impact of extreme climatic conditions or major fluctuations in temperature
can lead to cracks
in certain types of ceramic tile. Choosing a smaller tile, increasing the
number of expansion joints,
or selecting a tile with a lower absorption rating will lessen the effects of
extreme climate changes
and tile color. Before buying ceramic tile, it is always a good idea to talk
with your sales rep about
the location of your installation and environmental conditions that
characterize it. This can help to
avoid any post-installation damage to your ceramic tiles.