Preparation Steps for Cracked Tiles Before Microcement - Etepox Solution Sdn Bhd

Inspection & Assessment
- Process: Carefully check the existing tiled surface for cracks, hollow sounds, loose tiles, or structural movement.
- Reason: Microcement is a thin coating (2–3 mm) and will reflect any underlying movement or instability. Identifying weak areas prevents future failures.
Remove Loose or Severely Damaged Tiles
- Process: Take out tiles that are cracked through, loose, or hollow. Fill gaps with repair mortar or leveling compound.
- Reason: Microcement needs a stable, continuous substrate. Any loose tile left underneath may cause delamination or cracking in the microcement layer.
Repair Cracks & Joints
- Process: Fill tile cracks and grout joints with epoxy filler, flexible mortar, or resin-based repair compounds. Reinforce larger cracks with fiberglass mesh.
- Reason: Filling prevents crack patterns from telegraphing (reappearing) through the microcement finish. Mesh adds flexibility and distributes stress.
Surface Cleaning & Degreasing
- Process: Thoroughly clean tiles with industrial detergent or degreaser to remove dirt, grease, and soap residue. Rinse and let dry.
- Reason: Adhesion is critical for microcement. Any contamination (oil, wax, dust) will reduce bonding strength.
Mechanical Grinding or Sanding (Optional but Recommended)
- Process: Lightly sand or grind the glossy tile surface to create mechanical roughness.
- Reason: Smooth ceramic surfaces are non-porous, which reduces adhesion. Roughening ensures the primer and microcement bond effectively.
Priming with Bonding Agent
- Process: Apply an epoxy or polyurethane-based primer, sometimes with silica sand broadcast for grip.
- Reason: Primer ensures chemical and mechanical adhesion between tiles and microcement, compensating for non-absorbent tile surfaces.
Leveling with Base Coat / Microcement Foundation Layer
- Process: Apply a base coat (often reinforced with fiberglass mesh) to cover tile joints and ensure a flat, crack-resistant surface.
- Reason: Prevents “tile joint shadowing” (where microcement finish reveals tile pattern underneath). Mesh improves structural stability.

Key Takeaway
The main goals of preparation are:

Stability – remove loose tiles and fill cracks.
Adhesion – clean, sand, and prime for proper bonding.
Flatness – create a smooth, joint-free base before applying decorative microcement layers.

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