Hairlines in tiles - replacement risk?

[mxo]

I have a few bathroom wall tiles that have hairline cracks. See attached photos. The bathroom was installed around 4 years ago. Old Victorian building. The building is by a busy road and does shake.

Some of the cracks may have appeared when building works were taking place next door. The crack by the window was earlier though.

Is there any downside to replacing the tiles? My main concern is if the cracks reappear, or if removing tiles could impact others and cause wider long-term damage.

 

[aveatry]

No I would say the tiles are not the problem, there is an underlying issue that the tiles are telling you about. The cracks in the tiles will also be on the internal brick and possibly also external. Replacing the tiles will not make the underlining problem go away

 

[Ollyfp]

If the building has finished settling following the work next door, you MIGHT not experience any more cracking. However, I think you'll find that the movement may have broken the bond between several of the tiles and the substrate.
Try tapping the middle of each tile with the tip of your finger. A loose tile will sound 'hollow'.

 

[mxo]

If the building has finished settling following the work next door, you MIGHT not experience any more cracking. However, I think you'll find that the movement may have broken the bond between several of the tiles and the substrate.
Try tapping the middle of each tile with the tip of your finger. A loose tile will sound 'hollow'.

Does this mean I should still replace the tiles?

 

[Ollyfp]

I would remove the broken tiles very carefully. You'll soon know whether the rest will stay put. If the adhesive bond has failed or the skim layer has blown, I'm afraid you'll have to remove large sections and make good the substrate before replacing your tiles. As I said, tapping each tile with a finger tip will give you a few clues.

 

[Ollyfp]

There's no point in replacing your tiles if movement and cracking is still occuring. If you're not sure, you can glue a tile across a crack and leave it for a week or two. If it doesn't crack, you can fill the gaps and retile the wall.

 

[mxo]

If the building has finished settling following the work next door, you MIGHT not experience any more cracking. However, I think you'll find that the movement may have broken the bond between several of the tiles and the substrate.
Try tapping the middle of each tile with the tip of your finger. A loose tile will sound 'hollow'.

I tried this but can’t tell any difference. Most of the tiles on one wall sound a bit hollow. Then on another wall, there isn’t any resonance.