Hi Guys,

We purchased our first house from a developer and last week we collected keys (VP with CCC but no electricity or water since the mains have been turned off). So we filled up the developer's Defect Complaint List which from what I read is the normal procedure. During the check the guy did help to identify some minor flaws such as cracks, untidy paint, untidy plaster etc. I think those can be fixed quite easily within the rectification period. Later during the weekend we went again and did a thorough check of the house and found quite a few tiles that sounded hollow, especially in the bathroom where it is tiled from floor to ceiling. Some of it are at the corners and some are smack in the middle of the tiles. Some were only filled about 40-50% (not sure about this as I am no expert but that is what is sounded like when I knocked the tiles with a solid object).

We submitted and updated defects list and I called the guy who did the VP with us. He told me tiles can only be replaced if more than 50% of tile sounds hollow. Is there such a thing?

My primary concern is the car porch which have hollow sounding tiles in several spots. I suspect the hollow spaces will crack if roll over them. For the wall tiles in the bathrooms, am I right that there is a risk of water seepage and the tiles may fall off?

I am under the impression any hollow sounding tiles should be replaced.

Bump! Hope to get some advice from sifus here.

Thanks for your reply.

I called up KPKT (http://www.kpkt.gov.my/) and they referred me to the Bahagian Teknikal. The guy advised me if there are any complaints on tiles, they would do their investigation by following CIDB standard. I googled it and found this:CIS 7:2014 Quality Assessment System For Building Construction Work (QLASSIC)

On page 33 (floors) and page 35 (walls), it does mention under General Requirements "no hollow sound when tapped"

We will be using this to make my case with the developer and insist on rectifying any tiles with hollow sound.

Hope this info will be useful to others as well.