Defective Mortar Lawsuit for Cracked Floor Tiles

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether homeowners across the country are falling victim to an industry-wide scheme at the hands of several tile mortar manufacturers. Allegations have surfaced that some companies may be falsely advertising their tile mortars as “two-in-one” products when they’re actually not. It is believed the companies may be repackaging old tile mortars and falsely claiming that they can perform two functions – adhering the tile to concrete and preventing cracks – without making any changes to the products themselves. As a result, consumers’ tiles are cracking long before they should – putting them out thousands of dollars in repair bills.

Why Is My Tile Floor Cracking?

There are a number of reasons why your tile or grout may be cracking. Allegations have surfaced, however, that some tiles are cracking because the tile mortars do not work as advertised and that contractors were unaware of this when installing the tiles.

Popular Mortar Manufacturer Sued Over Defective Tile Mortar

In November 2015, manufacturer Bostik, Inc., a subsidiary of Arkema, was hit with a class action lawsuit in California alleging that the company misled consumers about the effectiveness of its Durabond D-70 mortar at preventing cracks. Specifically, the company promised that its D-70 mortar had “crack-suppressing qualities” – even though it didn’t – in an attempt to keep up with competitors’ newer, more efficient products, the lawsuit claims.

Builders and installers used to have to use two products: a mortar to adhere the tile to the concrete and a crack-suppressing membrane to ensure any cracks in the concrete did not transfer to the tile. In August 2002, a number of companies began offering a “one-step crack-suppressing mortar” that could reduce labor and material costs for contractors. To keep up with these companies, Bostik is alleged to have taken its older “Reflex Polymer Modified Thin-Set Mortar” and rebranded it as “Durabond D-70 Premium Flexible Polymer Modified Thin-Set” – a product it claimed could suppress concrete foundation cracks to keep them from damaging floor tiles – without making any changes to the mortar or having proof that the adhesive could also prevent tile cracks.

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