Basement Tile Will Not Stick

Damp Floors

• If the floor of your basement is damp, tile floors will not stick properly, particularly if you use the self-adhesive varieties. The University of Minnesota states that basement floors can become damp when there is excessive moisture within a home, improper ventilation or if condensation occurs during the summer. According to Depot Tile, you can test your basement floor for moisture problems by taping an 18-by-18-inch piece of plastic film over the floor with duct tape. Wait 24 hours and look for drops of water, dew or fog under the plastic. These indicate moisture in the floor. Moisture can result from a leaky pipe or water heater, incorrect grading, an ineffectively placed gutter system and lack of exterior drainage. To remedy a damp basement floor so you can install tiles, find the source of the moisture problem and take the steps to eliminate that source. Then use a dehumidifier to help reduce the amount of humidity in the basement. When a basement floor is dry, tiles will stick better.

Floor Preparation

• If you fail to prepare your basement floor correctly, basement tiles may fail to stick. Before tiling your basement, vacuum and mop your floor to remove dirt and dust. If the floor is painted, scrape off any loose paint and apply ½-inch cement boards over the entire floor using a floor adhesive mixed with a latex additive. Stagger the seams on the boards. Use fiberglass reinforcing tape to secure the joints of the cement board together. The cement board and fiberglass tape will form a large fitted platform over your basement floor. Allow the floor adhesive to dry and the fiberglass tape to set for three days before installing the tile over the cement board. According to an article on the “This Old House” website by Joe Ferrante, if the adhesive between the basement floor and cement board platform does fail, the cement board platform will continue to "float" on top of the floor. Because you installed the tiles on the fitted cement platform that is bonded with fiberglass, the tiles will not come loose and the platform will stay in place because it is fitted to the size of the room.

Floor Temperature

• Temperature changes can cause a basement floor to expand or contract, according to the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. When you tile a basement, the expanding and contracting sub-floor can cause tiles to loosen. To prevent tiles from becoming loose, keep the temperature in your basement constant. To maintain a warm temperature, you may need to install more insulation in your basement, make sure your heating system works properly or have a professional complete a home energy assessment. Such a professional can help you determine the cause of the temperature inconsistencies in your basement and provide suggestions to help you fix the problem.

Foundation Shifts

• If your home’s foundation shifts, tiles on a basement floor can come loose or crack. If you suspect a problem with the foundation, hire an engineer or structural specialist to assess the situation for potential dangers to your family and the structural integrity of your home. Foundation shifts can result from extreme heat, excessive rain, a leak in the home or an improper outside drainage system, according to a 2010 “New York Times” article.