Lifting or popped tiles may result from temperature fluctuations and moisture penetration, leading to uneven surfaces and safety risks. Nippon Paint’s Bare-to-Finish Solution for Tile Buckling is designed to resolve the underlying cause and restore a stable, protected finish for your most beautiful home.
Remove any existing tile adhesive before cleaning and drying the tiles.
Add breathing room to prevent tiles from cracking or popping due to temperature changes and create movement joints every 5 meters and along wall-to-floor edges.
CMI® TileFlex 186 C2TE-S1
Apply a flexible tile adhesive to ensure a strong, lasting hold that absorbs minor vibrations and surface movement.
CMI® Tile Joint Filler
Apply a durable cement-based tile grout to seal the joints and protect against moisture, surface wear, and cracking.
CMI® Mortar Admix 380
Use a latex admixture in place of water when mixing grout to create stronger, flexible joints that better resist cracking and staining.
Wipe off any excess with a sponge and allow it to cure for 24 hours.
Each step in the exterior paint process plays a specific role, from surface preparation to the final coat. When these steps are designed to work together, the result is better adhesion, improved durability, and a more consistent finish. Nippon Paint’s Bare-to-Finish Solutions provide a structured approach, helping homeowners achieve better performance from start to finish. Let the Nippon Paint House Pakar share why getting it right from the start makes all the difference.
Learn all about how to solve your tile buckling problems at interior areas.
Tile buckling, or “popping,” often occurs when tiles are exposed to extreme temperature changes or moisture ingress without adequate movement joints, causing them to expand and detach from the substrate. Nippon Paint Bare-to-Finish Solutions for Tile Buckling provides the high-performance adhesives and flexible movement joint fillers needed to absorb these stresses, ensuring your tiles remain securely bonded and perfectly flat.
Tile buckling can occur when tiles are not properly bonded to the surface due to insufficient adhesive coverage, incorrect adhesive type, or poor installation practices. Without a strong, uniform bond, tiles lose grip and eventually lift when subjected to movement or stress.
Without adequate expansion joints or flexible adhesives, changes in temperature cause tiles and substrates to expand and contract. This movement builds stress beneath the tiles, resulting in cracking, lifting, or buckling—especially in outdoor or sun-exposed areas.
When water seeps beneath tiles through cracks, damaged grout, or poor waterproofing, it weakens the adhesive and causes the substrate to expand. This internal pressure forces tiles upward, leading to lifting, tenting, or buckling over time.
If tile bucking happens repeatedly, this might be a sign for you to redo tiles and apply protective layer with the right products. By using a complete bare-to-finish solution that is designed to work together, you can create seamless tile finish that gives a clean and polished appearance. Nippon Paint’s Bare-to-Finish Solutions help prevent recurring tile buckling, strengthen adhesion, and ensure long-lasting performance in interior environments and protect tiles from daily wear.
Explore our recommended system solutions or speak to a Nippon Paint expert to find the right approach for your home.
Note: The colour shades displayed are indicative and not precise representations of our actual paint colours.
© 2026 NIPPON PAINT (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD. (196701000578) All Rights Reserved
