Tile Installation Inspection

Per TCNA Handbook and ANSI A108.01, substrates must be structurally sound, clean, dry, and flat before tile installation. For tiles with any edge longer than 375 mm, substrate flatness must not vary more than 3 mm in 3 m per TCNA guidelines. Concrete substrates must be cured a minimum of 28 days. Cement backer board must conform to ANSI A118.9 and be fastened per manufacturer's requirements.

1. Check substrate flatness using a 3 m straightedge and verify deviation does not exceed allowable tolerances (3 mm in 3 m for large-format tile)

2. Verify concrete substrates have been adequately cured (minimum 28 days) and moisture tested per ASTM F2170 or F1869

3. Confirm cement backer board is the correct type and thickness and is fastened with corrosion-resistant screws at maximum 200 mm centres

4. Check that all backer board joints are taped with alkali-resistant mesh tape and thinset per manufacturer's instructions

5. Verify substrate is free of curing compounds, sealers, oils, and loose material that would prevent adhesion

- Substrate not flat enough for large-format tiles causing lippage and hollow spots under tiles

- Concrete substrate moisture too high causing adhesive failure and tile debonding

- Backer board joints not taped leading to cracks telegraphing through the tile

- Curing compounds or sealers on concrete not removed preventing thinset adhesion

Per TCNA Handbook and NBC 9.25, wet areas (showers, tub surrounds, steam rooms) require a waterproofing membrane installed before tile. Liquid-applied and sheet membranes must be tested per ANSI A118.10 (load-bearing, bonded, waterproof membranes). Shower pans must be flood-tested for a minimum of 24 hours. Membrane must extend a minimum of 150 mm beyond the wet area or to full height in showers.

1. Verify waterproofing membrane is installed in all wet areas and extends to the required height (full height in showers, minimum 150 mm above tub rim)

2. Confirm membrane product meets ANSI A118.10 requirements and is applied at the specified wet film thickness per manufacturer's data

3. Check that all seams, corners, and penetrations are reinforced with membrane fabric strips and additional membrane coats

4. Verify shower floor membrane is flood-tested for a minimum of 24 hours with no water loss before tile installation

5. Confirm membrane is bonded to the substrate with no wrinkles, bubbles, or delamination

- Waterproofing membrane not extended to full height in shower enclosures allowing moisture behind tiles

- Membrane applied too thin failing to achieve minimum dry film thickness for waterproofing performance

- Corners and changes in plane not reinforced with fabric strips leading to membrane cracking

- Flood test skipped on shower pans discovering leaks only after tile and grout are installed

Per TCNA Handbook and ANSI A108.5, tiles must be set in the correct mortar or adhesive type for the application. For floor tiles and tiles larger than 200 mm x 200 mm, a minimum of 95% thinset coverage is required in wet areas and 80% in dry areas per ANSI A108.5. Back-buttering is required for tiles larger than 375 mm on any edge. Tile must conform to CSA A137.1 for the specified application (floor, wall, exterior).

1. Verify tile products meet CSA A137.1 requirements for the application (appropriate absorption rate, breaking strength, and slip resistance)

2. Confirm thinset mortar type is correct for the application (modified vs. unmodified, interior vs. exterior) per TCNA recommendations

3. Pull a freshly set tile periodically and verify adhesive coverage meets minimum requirements (95% wet areas, 80% dry areas)

4. Check that large-format tiles are back-buttered in addition to trowelling the substrate to achieve full coverage

5. Verify thinset is applied with the correct notch trowel size for the tile format per TCNA guidelines

- Insufficient thinset coverage under tiles creating hollow spots prone to cracking and debonding

- Incorrect thinset type used (e.g., unmodified thinset on plywood or membrane substrates)

- Thinset skinned over before tile is placed resulting in poor bond

- Trowel notch size too small for large-format tiles causing inadequate adhesive coverage

Per TCNA Handbook and ANSI A108.02, installed tile must be straight, level, and plumb with uniform joint widths. Lippage (height difference between adjacent tiles) must not exceed allowable limits: 0.8 mm for rectified tiles with 3 mm joints, or 1.6 mm for standard tiles per ANSI A108.02. Joint widths must be consistent and a minimum of 1.5 mm (3 mm recommended for most applications). Layout must minimize cuts and avoid narrow slivers.

1. Check tile alignment and joint straightness using a straightedge and verify joints are uniform width throughout

2. Measure lippage between adjacent tiles using a lippage gauge and confirm it does not exceed ANSI A108.02 limits

3. Verify tile layout is symmetrical and balanced with cut tiles at perimeters being no less than half a tile width where possible

4. Confirm floor tile has adequate slope to drains (minimum 1:50 or per design) in wet areas

5. Check that wall tiles are plumb and level using a spirit level

- Excessive lippage between adjacent tiles creating trip hazards and an uneven appearance on floors

- Narrow sliver cuts at walls and perimeters indicating poor layout planning

- Joint widths varying visibly across the installation due to tile size variation or poor installation technique

- Floor tiles in wet areas not sloped adequately to drains causing ponding water

Per TCNA Handbook and ANSI A108.10, grout must be mixed and applied per manufacturer's instructions. Grout joints must be fully filled with no voids, pinholes, or low spots. Sanded grout is required for joints wider than 3 mm; unsanded grout for joints 3 mm or narrower. Movement joints (expansion joints) must be filled with flexible sealant, not grout, per TCNA EJ171 at all changes in plane, perimeters, and at intervals not exceeding 3.6 m to 7.3 m.

1. Verify grout type (sanded vs. unsanded) is correct for the joint width and application per TCNA recommendations

2. Check that all grout joints are fully packed with no voids, pinholes, or low spots visible

3. Confirm movement joints are installed at all changes in plane (wall-to-floor, wall-to-wall corners) and filled with flexible sealant per TCNA EJ171

4. Verify movement joints are placed at maximum intervals per TCNA guidelines and around all fixed objects (columns, pipes)

5. Check that grout has been properly cleaned from tile faces and no haze or residue remains

- Movement joints grouted instead of caulked leading to cracking at corners and perimeters

- Grout joints not fully filled leaving voids that trap water and promote mould growth

- Pinholes in grout caused by improper mixing or application technique

- Sealant joints not maintained over time allowing water infiltration behind tiles

Per TCNA Handbook and ANSI A108.02, completed tile installations must be inspected for bond integrity, appearance, and compliance with specifications. Sounding tests (tapping tiles with a coin or small hammer) must be performed to detect hollow areas indicating poor adhesive bond. Hollow-sounding floor tiles in traffic areas or wet areas indicate a deficiency requiring remediation.

1. Conduct a sounding test by tapping all floor tiles with a coin or light hammer and note any hollow-sounding tiles

2. Verify all grout and sealant joints are complete, uniform in colour, and free of defects

3. Check for chipped, cracked, or damaged tiles and confirm replacements match the specified product

4. Verify transition strips and edge profiles are securely installed at all tile-to-other-flooring transitions

5. Confirm tile slip resistance meets the specified coefficient of friction for the application (particularly in wet and public areas)

- Hollow-sounding tiles indicating poor adhesive coverage or bond failure beneath

- Cracked tiles resulting from insufficient adhesive support or point loading on unsupported areas

- Grout colour inconsistency across the installation due to variable mixing or cleaning

- Missing transition strips at flooring changes creating trip hazards