A tile can crack for several reasons — most of them related to improper installation, subfloor movement, or impact damage. Here are the most common causes:
Uneven Subfloor
If the surface beneath the tile isn’t flat, certain spots bear more pressure than others. Over time, this stress can cause the tile to crack.
Movement or Shifting in the Subfloor
Concrete or wood subfloors expand and contract with temperature and moisture changes. If there’s no movement joint or flexible adhesive, the tiles can’t move with it — leading to cracks.
Heavy Impact
Dropping something heavy (like a pot, tool, or furniture piece) directly onto a tile can chip or crack it instantly.
Improper Adhesive or Installation
Using the wrong type or too little tile adhesive leaves hollow spaces under tiles, which can’t support weight evenly. These weak spots are prone to cracking.
Structural Movement
Building settling or foundation shifts transfer stress to the rigid tile layer, often resulting in long, hairline cracks across multiple tiles.
Thermal Expansion
Large tiled areas exposed to sunlight or temperature changes need expansion joints. Without them, thermal movement can push tiles against each other until they break.
Poor Quality Tiles
Low-density or improperly fired tiles are more brittle and may crack even under normal pressure.
Always use a level, stable subfloor, the correct adhesive, and expansion joints in large areas.
