How worried should I be about this Travertine install?

[Panavision]

Hello one and all,

Here’s a quick update and request for some further advice.

The tiler has been presented with the evidence, the concerns of the various component manufacturers, and the clear industry standards. His response is to say there's absolutely no need to adhere to British Standards in any of his work.

He insists those are merely vague recommendations. Furthermore, he claims that if he - as the tiler on a job - decides a tile can be fixed in this manner, then it can be. He has told the bathroom contractor that unless there's proof the work is dangerous or unfit, or proof of a breach of some obligatory standard, he won't be paying for the lost materials and subsequent refit.

I'm rather taken aback at this attitude. Any further advice would be welcome.

 

[Gazzer]

Did he say how those edges would be finished ???

 

[paul78]

shocking!!!
its the bathroom contractors problem to sort out as he subbied the work out and should not subbie to chancers just to save a buck!

youll prob never see the 'tiler' again and prob wont want too, but take it up with the main bathroom contractor as hes in charge of the project at the end of the day.

 

[mick2]

seeing this problem more often now as a lot of the so called tilers have done a six week course.

 

[The D]

he has not fitted the tiling using the correct method that the adhesive company will guaranty this alone is enough for you to insist he removes all the work and in doing so he will damage the backer boards so he is responsible for replacing that along with any tiles that are damaged and the adhesive. he can't get away from the fact that the method of fixing used has left you with no guaranty from the adhesive manufacturer. not just the fact it is dot and dab but also the bed depth probably exceeds the manufacturers safe limit. *

 

[Pebbs]

Hello one and all,

Here’s a quick update and request for some further advice.

The tiler has been presented with the evidence, the concerns of the various component manufacturers, and the clear industry standards. His response is to say there's absolutely no need to adhere to British Standards in any of his work.

He insists those are merely vague recommendations. Furthermore, he claims that if he - as the tiler on a job - decides a tile can be fixed in this manner, then it can be. He has told the bathroom contractor that unless there's proof the work is dangerous or unfit, or proof of a breach of some obligatory standard, he won't be paying for the lost materials and subsequent refit.

I'm rather taken aback at this attitude. Any further advice would be welcome.

Just read this, and the comments, but I will give you one piece of advice, and it is to let your bathroom contractor deal with his sub-contrator. Your issue should be with the company you engaged to do the work, and not their sub-contractor. The onus is on them, to rectify the concerns, and as you are their client, they should be dealing with it, and not involving the person they engaged to do the tiling.

Im seeing more and more of this, when something goes wrong the main contractor tries to push it down the line. It was their responsibility to vet who they engaged, it was also their responsibility to check the quality of the workmanship. If they were to lazy to undertake the checks on site, and it was you as their client who drew their attention to the sub-standard workmanship they have to rectify the shoddy workmanship.

However your insistance that they employ someone who is a member of the TTA is to my mind serves no purpose. Anyone can join a trade association if they pay their yearly subscription, and submit a few photos of works done and is in no way a guarentee to getting the best workmanship.

Pebbs

 

[Colour Republic]

I would second everything Pebbs has just said.

I'd add that your contract is with the bathroom company not the tiler. As such the sub-contractor has nothing to do with rectifying the mistakes, that is down to the bathroom company. But whilst that goes in your favour, you also have to honour the original contract and unless that states you want a TTA member to carry out the works you are in no position to change the contract to reflect that at this time.

The TTA is an association it is not a governing body. Furthermore British Standards are guidelines not legal requirements, most decent firms/tradesmen will meet BS and in most cases exceed them but there is a difference. You should expect a professional standard of work with the materials installed according to manufacturer’s guidelines. That clearly hasn't been the case and the quality of tiling is poor.

But you should realise there is a difference between the TTA, BS and professional standards.

My advice would be talk this through with your bathroom company and hopefully they will put things right but if you ask for too much then you may find the bathroom company decide to fight you if you try to change the contract on what you should expect. Which is a professionally fitted bathroom that is safe, well fitted and also aesthetically pleasing.

Can I ask who specified the marmox?

 

[ms.tiles]

hi

im just sorry you have had to go through all this, there is 1000 decent tilers out there to every bad one and i totally agree with the above, it should fall on the contractor to deal with his subbie and you deal only with the main contractor.
i have to say though, im seeing this alot lately and its really bad.
how can the tiler do it and then argue he has have done it right especially when you have weber saying its not good enough.

i really hope everything works out for you

 

[Daz]

I'd say that Pebbs has got it correct, great advice above.

I guess the fact that I have never been and am not looking to become a TTA member means that my work is sub-standard...................................Yeah right!

Don't believe the hype, just discuss the work methods in detail with your chosen tiler and check their references.

Hope you get it sorted,

Daz

 

[kilty55]

is it not the case guys that TTA vet there members to a certain degree?

as far as i know it has a good name and isnt the point in joining a body like TTA and using its good name a statement that your work is good quality and you want to be assosciated with such an assosciation

i wouldnt think they would guarantee anyones work however but by them taking on inferior quality tilers they would end up with a bad name themselves soon enough?

i guess from the ops point of veiw they have had a bad job done and are looking for assurance from trade associated bodies?

there are however lots of good tilers who are not members also

im waffling now lol

cant see it doing any harm for the customer to stipulate they want a tta member only

 

[kilty55]

btw im not a mmeber im just having a good old waffle lol

 

[Daz]

is it not the case guys that TTA vet there members to a certain degree?

as far as i know it has a good name and isnt the point in joining a body like TTA and using its good name a statement that your work is good quality and you want to be assosciated with such an assosciation

i wouldnt think they would guarantee anyones work however but by them taking on inferior quality tilers they would end up with a bad name themselves soon enough?

i guess from the ops point of veiw they have had a bad job done and are looking for assurance from trade associated bodies?

there are however lots of good tilers who are not members also

im waffling now lol

cant see it doing any harm for the customer to stipulate they want a tta member only

Good point Jamie,

I just took offence at the insinuation that you're a rubbish tiler if you are not a TTA member - my bad!

Daz

 

[kilty55]

lol daz,i see your point also

i guess the op is just looking for more assurances

and i do agree with you you ,that doesnt mean they have to be part of tta

 

[Panavision]

Thanks again for all your thoughts. I appreciate your help.

Just to be clear, I would never suggest that a non-TTA tiler is incapable of doing a good job. There are talented tilers who are not members. I'm merely looking for some reassurance, and extra back-up, should the worst happen.

The situation today is that the bathroom contractor began removing the tiles and Marmox: revealing the extent of the dot and dabbing behind. It is disturbing.

However, the contractor has decided that all is well simply because the tiles are difficult to remove. He is refusing to take down any more, saying he's now convinced everything is safe and sound. This response contradicts the views of the various bodies and experts I've consulted, as well as the views expressed here.

Below are pictures of what was found behind the tiles. You can see the light grey and dark grey of the Marmox is untouched by adhesive in many places.

Your thoughts are welcome.

 

[Gazzer]

Your thoughts are welcome.

Even I would get banned if I put my thoughts here

 

[The D]

i am sorry but that job is as bad as it gets every thing that can be done wrong is in your bathroom. now i would be questioning the integrity of the bathroom contractor if they are willing to leave you with a job that is substandard.*

 

[Ken Bruty]

That workmanship is dangerous!! Rip it off and start again, that's criminal.

 

[White Room]

If that is what we can see after the tiles have been removed, the rest won't get any better...

 

[jay]

As mentioned above .if the adh manufacture wont give a guarantee with the way their product has been used on your job that says it all .best to remove and redo

 

[hillhead]

The bathroom contractor is liable for this.
Good luck to you.