Scheduled visit
Floor tile sounds hollow or rocks
A tile sounds hollow when tapped with a coin or the handle of a screwdriver, clicks underfoot or rocks slightly when stepped on near an edge. The grout around it may crack. Sometimes several tiles in a line or a patch near a window are affected, and occasionally a tile rises into a small tent.
Handyman
Scheduled work. Anything affecting security or leaving a hazard is prioritised.
Call nowRequest tile repair on WhatsApp01LIKELY CAUSES
What usually sits behind this symptom, and what tells one cause from another.
Insufficient adhesive coverage
Lifted tile shows spot-bedding.
Movement in the screed
Cracks in screed beneath.
Heat expansion across large floors
Tiles tenting near sunlit windows.
02BEFORE ANYONE VISITS
What you can safely check.
- Tap around the tile to find the extent.
- Mark loose tiles to avoid tripping.
- Avoid heavy furniture on loose tiles.
- Keep spare tiles if you have them.
03WHAT WE MEASURE
We tap-test the area, lift a loose tile to see the bed, and check the screed. That shows whether a local relay will last or the area needs movement joints.
04IN A VILLA
Large-format tiles in big villa rooms need full adhesive coverage and a flat screed to stay bonded, and they react to heat from large glazed walls and doors onto terraces. A floor that was spot-bedded to save time can sound fine for years before tiles start to let go.
05THE FIX
Which repair, and when.
Hollow tiles crack and can lift suddenly.
Lift and relay the tile
The issue is local.
Repair screed
The base has cracked.
Add movement joints
Expansion causes tenting.
06Typical villa handyman visit
AED 140 – 200 per hour, minimum one hour
Indicative market ranges, not a quotation — a firm price follows inspection. Most accumulated lists are a half or full day. Standard fixings and consumables are included; anything specialist is agreed with you before it is bought.
07QUESTIONS
- Can hollow tiles be injected?
- Sometimes; relaying is more reliable.
- What if I have no spare tiles?
- Careful lifting may allow reuse.
- Why near windows?
- Sun heats the floor, causing expansion.
- Is a hollow tile urgent?
- A single hollow tile is not urgent, but it is worth relaying before it cracks, especially if spares are limited.