5 Signs Your Bathroom Tiles Need Professional Attention

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Cracks and Chips That Keep Getting Worse
• Tiles That Sound Hollow (And Feel Spongy)
• Grout That’s Given Up the Fight
• Water Where Water Shouldn’t Be
• Your Tiles Are Dragging Down Your Home’s Value
• When to Call the Professionals (Hint: It’s Probably Now)
• The Real Cost of Waiting
• What Happens Next?

Introduction

Your bathroom tiles aren’t just pretty to look at —they’re doing a lot of dirty work behind the scenes. Day by day, they take a beating from steam, water, cleaning solutions and ceaseless foot traffic. But how do you know when they are ready to sit?

Having helped Perth homeowners with their tiling problems for years, we have seen it all. From small chips that become massive headaches to grout that has kicked the bucket.

Here’s the problem: most people wait too long to bring in the pros. At that point, what began as a simple fix has transformed into a complete renovation nightmare.

So what are the warning signs that your bathroom tiles need some professional TLC? Trust us, you will thank yourself in the future for nailing these problems down early.

1. Cracks and Chips That Keep Getting Worse

As for cracked tiles—I’m sorry, they’re not just going to fix themselves. What began as a hairline crack caused by dropping a heavy shampoo bottle can quickly become grounds for serious treatment.

It’s something we all come across in Perth bathrooms day after day. And when your bathroom goes from hot, steamy showers to freezing cold air con, it’s never a favourable recipe for tiled floors. Throw in our hard water, and you have the recipe for tile anxiety.

Why small cracks become big problems

Water loves tiny spaces. If water does get behind your tiles, it will cause adhesive to fail, and you will have loose tiles that can fall off the wall and hit unsuspecting showers. Oh, and mould could grow in those moist places where water doesn’t belong.

What’s the worst part about this situation? Homemade crack fillers and touch-up paints are only temporary solutions. Real tile repair professionals will come in, address the source of failing tiles by removing them properly and checking to see what is beneath (this part matters), and install something that’s not going to fail.

Pro tip: If you can slide a coin into the crack, it’s definitely time to get help from the professionals. You would rather not be wondering what’s happening behind your shower once you are the one dealing with water damage.

2. Tiles That Sound Hollow (And Feel Spongy)

Do you ever walk across your bathroom floor and notice that distinctive hollow sound? Does it sound as if you’re standing on a drum rather than on solid ground? That’s your tiles speaking to you, saying they’ve lost their purchase on the wall or floor beneath them.

This condition occurs when the adhesive weakens or was not properly applied to begin with. This can be due to building movement or moisture that erodes the bond.

Here’s an effortless test you can conduct right now: give your tiles a light tap with your knuckles. It should sound clear and sharp if the tiles are solidly attached. Loose tiles make a dull, hollow sound—and they may even feel like they’re shifting slightly under pressure.

The dangers of loose tiles

• They can suddenly fall off, especially wall tiles in the shower
• Water can get behind them, causing expensive damage to your walls
• The problem spreads to neighbouring tiles
• Someone could seriously hurt themselves if a large tile comes loose

We’ve seen cases where homeowners ignored hollow-sounding tiles for months, only to have half their shower wall come down during a renovation. What could have been a simple re-adhesion job instead turned into the need to completely strip the bathroom back to the studs.

3. Grout That’s Given Up the Fight

Let’s be honest – grout doesn’t get the respect it deserves. People obsess over choosing the perfect tile colour and completely ignore the stuff that’s holding everything together. Big mistake.

Grout isn’t just there to look neat. It seals gaps between tiles, preventing water from getting where it shouldn’t be. When grout fails, your whole tiling system is at risk.

Here are a few indicators that your grout needs to be professionally serviced:

• Cracks that keep reappearing no matter how many times you fill them
• Stains which can’t be cleaned off (usually mould or mildew)
• Chunks missing entirely
• Crumbly dust when pressure is applied
• Dark staining that becomes more widespread over time

But here in Perth our water quality and humidity play well with grout. The minerals cause some to decompose over time, and our hot, humid summers provide the perfect environment for mould to multiply.

DIY grout repair kits may be tempting, but they’re not usually permanent. Know the difference between grout types and why it’s important. Choosing the right material, correctly removing all failed grout, and thoroughly preparing and applying the materials appropriate for your specific conditions is what’s necessary to make repairs.

4. Water Where Water Shouldn’t Be

This is often the most serious sign your tiles need professional attention, but it’s also the one most people try to ignore or fix themselves.

Water stains on adjacent walls, damp patches that won’t dry out, or a musty smell from nowhere—these signal water getting behind your tiles, where it can cause serious structural damage.

Common problem spots

• Behind the toilet where wall tiles meet floor tiles
• At the base of your shower screen
• Around taps and shower fittings
• In corners where wall tiles meet (especially without corner strips)

Here’s the scary part: When you notice water damage, it’s often already been occurring for months. Water takes curious journeys within walls.

We recently serviced a Perth residence where the owners believed they were dealing with a tiny tap leak. As it happened, failed tile adhesive had been allowing water behind the shower wall for more than a year.

What appeared to be straightforward regrouting turned into a major remediation job involving rotted frames and moulding in the bedroom next door.

The lesson? Don’t mess around with water problems – they can cause damage to your home in no time.

5. Your Tiles Are Dragging Down Your Home’s Value

It’s that sometimes the issue is not damage – but just that your tiles are kind of… tired. Old, outdated colours, worn surfaces, or busy 1990s patterns can make your entire bathroom look like it’s in disrepair.

Here’s the truth: Bathroom remodeling, particularly when it comes to the bathroom renovation described above, is one of those high-return-on-investment improvements.

When it comes to Perth’s property market, in a highly competitive space the difference between an old bathroom and selling up quick can be months of your life on the market.

Your tiles are outdated; it’s time to upgrade!

• Are colours that went out of fashion in the 90s
• Won’t gloss, no matter how much you clean them
• Feature small, busy patterns that can create a cluttered look in the space
• Negatively impact how visitors perceive your home.

The good news? It’s not always necessary to rip everything out. Find out what no one tells you about bathroom renovations. Smart tile updates can help save money, as well as open up small spaces and disguise design flaws without a total rebuild.

When to Call the Professionals (Hint: It’s Probably Now)

Look, we get it. YouTube makes it all sound so simple, and hardware stores will gladly sell you all the tools and materials you need to “do it yourself”. But hold your horses: tiling a bathroom involves far more than just making things look appealing.

It’s the waterproofing, it’s the structural soundness, and it’s creating a space that will function safely many years into the future.

DIY’s often make matters worse because

• Waterproofing is complicated and errors are costly
• Various regions within your bathroom will require different styles of tiles and installation methods
• You can’t get pro-grade adhesive and sealing solutions at the hardware store
• Perth Building regulations can set standards for wet areas

Who knows the number of times we’ve been called out to repair “simple” DIY repairs that became huge problems? The homeowner had skimped on his initial purchase but ended up spending thousands extra after his quick fix didn’t hold.

Professional tiling services include

• And addressing core issues (and not symptoms)
• Australian standard waterproofing
• Access to commercial-grade materials
• Insurance, and guarantees on workmanship
• Familiarity with building codes and regulations in Perth

In Perth, wet areas have to adhere to building codes that apply during a bathroom renovation or repair. They’re not mere recommendations — they’re legal laws to prevent your home and family from water damage.

The Real Cost of Waiting

Here’s something most people don’t want to admit: bathroom tile problems multiply in cost the longer you wait to fix them. That little break that could be repaired for a few hundred dollars now could mean thousands of dollars’ worth of water damage repair next year.

A Perth family we recently helped observed that there were a few loose tiles in their ensuite shower but decided to wait and get it sorted after Christmas. By March, they had mould throughout their bedroom walls and had to move out for two weeks while we addressed structural damage.

The moral of the story? When the bathroom tiles are failing you, time is not your friend.

What Happens Next?

So if you’re spotting a couple of these red flags in your bathroom, don’t get too panicked – but don’t ignore them either. A professional tiling expert can see your situation and give you helpful advice about what needs fixing now and what you could put off.

Most importantly, get multiple opinions. A good tiling company will explain what they see, why it needs fixing, and what will happen if you don’t hire them.

Your bathroom tiles do a noble job of protecting your home against water damage. When they begin to deteriorate or wear out, they cry out for assistance. The quicker you reply, the better and cheaper the solution.

Note that proper tiling should last you decades with the right care. Avoid resolving the same issues year after year — ensure they are fixed correctly and you won’t have to worry about them again.

Have you noticed any of these five red flags in your Perth bathroom? Don’t allow little problems to develop into costly mistakes. Contact our skilled team for an honest evaluation and realistic remedies that are within your budget.