So after hosing down the bathroom, I started to hear some cracking. I looked at the tiles and they were bulging out from the center. I guess water got into the top and loosened the tiles.
I started to gently remove the very loose tiles by hand, so they wouldn't fall and break. The wall is concrete and the remaining adhesive is pretty rock hard. Not sure if I should remove it all and re tile or is this fixable?
Best Answer
I can see the ridges left by the installers notched trowel. Look at the back of any loose tiles. It should have thinset on at least 80% of it's back. I'm guessing the thinset wasn't mixed correctly. If it is to dry the tile does not get pressed into the notched adhesive so as to form a mechanical bond. You can check if the tiles are affixed properly by giving them a slight rap with your knuckle. You should hear a dull sound. A hollow or "ting" reverberation indicates a void or low spot were the thinset isn't fully supporting the tile.