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Hollow Tiles in New Dubai Apartments: Test, Report, Fix
Hollow tiles in a new apartment in Dubai are tiles that are not fully bedded on adhesive, so they sound dull when tapped. You can find them yourself with a coin and a quiet room. Mark each one, photograph it and report it before handover, so the developer has a clear list to fix.
Quick answer: tap, listen, mark. Tap each tile at the centre and corners, mark every dull-sounding one with tape, photograph it and add it to your snag list with its exact location.
This guide from Dubshy's team walks through the same tap-test-and-mark routine an inspector uses, in a form any owner can follow.
What Is a Hollow Tile?
A hollow tile is one with gaps in the adhesive underneath it. Tiles laid with the correct adhesive and full bedding sit solidly on the surface below; where the bed is incomplete, there is an air gap, and the tile sounds hollow when tapped.
Hollowness is one of several floor problems to look for at handover. For cracks, grout gaps and other issues, see our guide to flooring defects in apartments.
How to Test for Hollow Tiles in a New Apartment in Dubai
All you need is a coin or the handle of a screwdriver, a roll of masking tape and a quiet room.
- Turn off noiseSwitch off the AC and close the windows so you can hear the difference clearly.
- Tap the centreTap the middle of each tile lightly. A solid tile gives a sharp, clear click.
- Tap the cornersTap near each corner. A hollow area gives a dull, drum-like sound, sometimes at one corner or edge only.
- Work in rowsGo row by row from one wall so you do not miss or repeat tiles.
- Do the walls tooRepeat on wall tiles in bathrooms and the kitchen, at reachable height.
How Should You Mark and Report Hollow Tiles?
Mark every hollow tile so nobody has to find it again. Put a small tape cross on it, number it, and take one close photo and one wider photo showing where it sits in the room.
- Location
- Living room, third row from the balcony door, second tile from the left wall
- Finding
- Hollow sound at two corners; tile not cracked
- Marked
- Tape cross, number 4
- Photos
- Close-up and wide shot attached
Send the full list in writing and keep the acknowledgement. A floor and tile inspection tap-tests every tile and records each one in this format.
When Does a Hollow Tile Matter More?
Report every hollow tile, but flag these first:
- Already cracked or chipped. Visible damage on a hollow tile makes it more urgent.
- Moves or rocks. A tile you can feel shift underfoot is a trip and damage risk.
- In wet areas. Bathrooms and balconies, where tiles and grout are meant to keep water out.
- In groups. Several hollow tiles together in one area.
- Where people walk most. Doorways, corridors and the kitchen.
If the tiles sound solid but the floor feels sloped or dips, that is a different problem; see our guide to checking for an uneven floor.
How Are Hollow Tiles Fixed?
The repair method is the contractor's decision, so ask the developer to confirm in writing which tiles will be repaired. Whatever is done, check each repaired tile yourself:
- Sound. Tap it again; it should now sound solid.
- Match. Colour and pattern should match the tiles around it.
- Level and grout. It should sit level with its neighbours, with full, matching grout.
What a tap test cannot tell you
A tap test finds hollow areas but cannot show what is underneath or why. Whether a hollow tile must be replaced depends on your sale agreement, not on the inspector. For official building rules, see Dubai Municipality.
FAQs
Are hollow tiles normal in a new apartment?
A hollow sound means the tile is not fully supported by adhesive underneath. Whether a few hollow spots are acceptable is a question for the developer and your agreement, so do not decide alone. Mark and report every hollow tile you find, and let the developer's team review the full list.
Will hollow tiles crack later?
Not always, and a tap test cannot predict it. What you can see is whether a hollow tile is already cracked, chipped or loose, which makes it more urgent. Report all hollow tiles at handover and recheck them later, so any that crack can be linked to your original report.
Can I test hollow tiles myself?
Yes. Tap each tile at the centre and corners with a coin or the handle of a screwdriver and listen for a dull, drum-like sound. Do it in a quiet room. You will find most hollow tiles this way, while an inspector covers every floor and wall tile systematically.
Will the developer replace hollow tiles?
That depends on your sale agreement and when you report them. A clear list with photos and exact locations makes your request hard to dismiss. Ask the developer to confirm in writing which tiles will be repaired, then tap-test each one again after the work is done.
Want Every Tile Tap-Tested Before Handover?
Tell us your handover date and apartment size, and we will plan the inspection. Fees are quoted after a short scope call, with all costs listed upfront.
