Tile Repair: Loose Tiles Part 1- How to identify loose tiles and the proper way to remove them 

Thank you for the feedback.

Much appreciated. I have my favorite channels as well, Food Wishes and Middle Eats are among them. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to help people out.

@@groutrx1415 did my tiles yesterday and followed your advice, ESPECIALLY with the sponge. It doesn’t take a lot to make that floor wet and the grout loose. Thank you again for this helpful and straightforward video

Message me with any questions.

That's a possibility.

This has just happened to me. Iam in the middle of remodeling my bathroom and I have put floor tiles down all the room is set apart from four near the door they where cracking when walking on them and realised that's where the adhesive has dried out when I have laid it and it hasn't stuck well to the tile. So now I have lifted them scraping the floor to then reapplying them to the floor.

The more thinset you get off, the better. I find the Carbide Grit Triangular Grinding Rasp For Oscillating Multi-Tools works best to get thinset off. See the video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-08ULAcjbRMM.html Some modified thin sets can be used on plywood, but most often times I find they eventually come loose from the wood, especially if the floors are mopped and water soaks into the grout causing the wood underlayment to expand and contract. I usually use Latapoxy 300 if ever I find myself adhering tile to wood. The tiles will never come loose. This is messy stuff though. Be sure to wear gloves and clean up well with warm water www.flooranddecor.com/laticrete-installation-materials/laticrete-latapoxy-300-adhesive-100894849.html In terms of getting the tiles to set evenly, I would recommend putting more thinset in lower areas and do it by feel. Be sure to clear out the grout lines of any excess thinset.

Glad you found this helpful!

There are actually many reasons why grout cracks. The tile may not be adhered properly due to: 1. improperly mixed thinset 2. backs of tile were not wiped clean of dust 3. the back the the tile was not coated to till the cells The substrate may be improperly installed: 1. Was nailed down instead of screws 2. screws are not frequent enough (should be every 6") 3. seam tape was not installed 4. Backer board was not wiped clean prior to thinset application Finally, the subfloor, the plywood directly on top of the joists, should be no less than 3/4" thick and the joists should be 16" on center. If there are structural issues, this can cause the grout to crack as well.