Who Is Right

[IanA2]

I've had some tiling done in a new bathroom. The guy who did it has worked for me before although last time he subbed the tiling out to a proper tiler. This time he's done it himself.

The problem is that the tiles are distinctly uneven, some higher than others and not level. Overall a pretty poor job I think.

The old floor had been taken up and re-boarded and ply laid.

I've tried to tackle him on this and he says:

"I'm sorry you feel the tiling standard is poor, if it is not level this will be down to floor joists being uneven and even with replacing floor and plying this will not correct the dip unless major alterations are made to the sub floor."

I think this is nonsense as when I've tiled in the past I've used different amounts of adhesive to level out any problems with the thickness of the tiles or "blemishes" in the substrate. Remember this was a new floor the tiles were being laid on and it's not a question of slope, just uneven lay.

So, who is right, me or the plumber?

Thanks

 

[Bill]

There will be tolerances on levels (as will there be on the flatness and size of the tiles) - be careful of saying he has done a rubbish job.

 

[IanA2]

There will be tolerances on levels (as will there be on the flatness and size of the tiles) - be careful of saying he has done a rubbish job.

Have you looked at all the pics?

 

[Bill]

Yes.......I suspect no matter what anyone says against your view, you will not take on board what they say.

 

[IanA2]

Yes.......I suspect no matter what anyone says against your view, you will not take on board what they say.

Hm...thing is, it's not just me that is saying it is unsatisfactory. Perhaps you should read the whole thread.

 

[J Sid]

if he had put a a silicon joint between tile and wood as he should would you have noticed problem's anywhere else?

 

[IanA2]

if he had put a a silicon joint between tile and wood as he should would you have noticed problem's anywhere else?

Not quite sure what you mean. In general yes there were other problems with his work/attitude.

If you mean specifically in relation to the tiling, then the problems are as described. 1. They are laid unevenly across the floor, and 2. there are gaps under both under the T&G where not skirted, and also under the skirting where skirted.

ETA: Sorry just realised you were asking if silicone had been applied between tile and wood. It was.

 

[Andy Allen]

Imo the job looks exactly what you would expect from a multi trader....not saying all multi traders are like that before some on here jump down my throat..
So have you paid him.?...if not with hold payment till your happy.
If he thinks the job is satisfactory then he may take you to court to get payment .
You may need to get an independent survey done by the t/a and that could cost up to £1,000 !!

 

[IanA2]

Imo the job looks exactly what you would expect from a multi trader....not saying all multi traders are like that before some on here jump down my throat..
So have you paid him.?...if not with hold payment till your happy.
If he thinks the job is satisfactory then he may take you to court to get payment .
You may need to get an independent survey done by the t/a and that could cost up to £1,000 !!

Unfortunately there were other problems with the job. We'll see how it pans out.

 

[JMC tiling]

As mentioned before, A neat silicone joint between wood and tile would vastly improve things.

Also, this: "No they are not brick bond, which reminds me, he laid the tiles with the length across the threshold ie like _ rather than | which I found irritating as I always thought tiles should be laid length-ways as you enter a room" is total nonsense i'm afraid.

just saying

 

[IanA2]

As mentioned before, A neat silicone joint between wood and tile would vastly improve things.

Also, this: "No they are not brick bond, which reminds me, he laid the tiles with the length across the threshold ie like _ rather than | which I found irritating as I always thought tiles should be laid length-ways as you enter a room" is total nonsense i'm afraid.

just saying

As stated before, there is a silicone joint between wood and tile. The pics you see are the pics with the silicone.

Not sure why you think laying tiles length ways, and not vertically across the threshold of a door to improve visual flow, is nonsense. Ask any floorer how you lay a floor.

 

[Chalker]

Yes the floor is not perfect. The skirting could have been scribed to the floor too.
I think the op is fishing for someone to say it's rubbish, then they can go armed back to him and demand some discount.

 

[JMC tiling]

As stated before, there is a silicone joint between wood and tile. The pics you see are the pics with the silicone.

Not sure why you think laying tiles length ways, and not vertically across the threshold of a door to improve visual flow, is nonsense. Ask any floorer how you lay a floor.

Depends on the shape of the room, size of the room, what if there are multiple doors in the room on all walls? Having tiles laid the way he has done it can make a narrow room look wider for example. My point is there is no right or wrong way to lay them, its down to opinion, taste and a bit of artistic impression. What I will say is that I always ask the customer what way they want them laid to avoid this problem.

I hope it comes to a satisfactory conclusion for you but remember that its important to give him the opportunity to put things right. Goodluck!

 

[JMC tiling]

As for the silicone, no way is there a white silicone joint between floor and wood in them pics, did he use clear? if so then that is probably the mistake in that regard.

 

[IanA2]

Depends on the shape of the room, size of the room, what if there are multiple doors in the room on all walls? Having tiles laid the way he has done it can make a narrow room look wider for example. My point is there is no right or wrong way to lay them, its down to opinion, taste and a bit of artistic impression. What I will say is that I always ask the customer what way they want them laid to avoid this problem.

I hope it comes to a satisfactory conclusion for you but remember that its important to give him the opportunity to put things right. Goodluck!

I has already explained to him about visual flow. He clearly didn't listen. It's actually quite a big room, there are no other doors,

 

[IanA2]

As for the silicone, no way is there a white silicone joint between floor and wood in them pics, did he use clear? if so then that is probably the mistake in that regard.

Yes it is clear silicone.

 

[JMC tiling]

I has already explained to him about visual flow. He clearly didn't listen. It's actually quite a big room, there are no other doors,

Seems like you are the one who doesn't listen, visual flow in YOUR opinion you mean? I can assure you there is no right or wrong way so you can't pull him on that.

 

[JMC tiling]

Seems like you are the one who doesn't listen, visual flow in YOUR opinion you mean? I can assure you there is no right or wrong way so you can't pull him on that.

Oh sorry, maybe you meant you had explained to him already what way you wanted them?

 

[IanA2]

Yes the floor is not perfect. The skirting could have been scribed to the floor too.
I think the op is fishing for someone to say it's rubbish, then they can go armed back to him and demand some discount.

Think what you like, there were numerous problems with this installation. The tiling is just one aspect. The reason I asked on here is not to arm me so I can demand discount. I will deal with the matter in the way I deem fit, I was merely interested to know if professional tilers thought that it was an acceptable level of workmanship as I clearly do not think it is. In general I would say that based on the response to this thread most do not think it was to a level a competent tiler would achieve.

 

[IanA2]

Oh sorry, maybe you meant you had explained to him already what way you wanted them?

Correct, just as he didn't listen to me about other aspects of the job.

 

[CJ]

Is the skirting MDF or real wood. Twists and buckles can highlight it.....but as mentioned, scribing would have sorted it. As maybe a colour coded silicon.

I do feel a bit of OCD here though???

 

[IanA2]

Ok, thanks folks for all the input. I think I'll leave it there. Thanks again.

 

[JMC tiling]

Correct, just as he didn't listen to me about other aspects of the job.

Fair enough, then you have every reason to complain and actually make him re-do the work IMHO

 

[IanA2]

Fair enough, then you have every reason to complain and actually make him re-do the work IMHO

Life is too short, with the grief this guy as caused me I really don't want to see him ever again, like I said, it wasn't just the tiling. Anyway, as they say in the cartoons, "That's All Folks" and thanks for the help.

 

[IanA2]

Is the skirting MDF or real wood. Twists and buckles can highlight it.....but as mentioned, scribing would have sorted it. As maybe a colour coded silicon.

I do feel a bit of OCD here though???

This really is my last post on the subject, it is MDF board, although I asked for wood, but that's another story. Still, you acknowledge that he should have sorted it out.

 

[John Benton]

@IanA2 which particular branch of engineering do you work in?

 

[hmtiling]

@IanA2 which particular branch of engineering do you work in?

Hahahaha

 

[CJ]

Lol.....Ex or retired engineers are a nightmare.

 

[widler]

@IanA2 which particular branch of engineering do you work in?

I only come on to have a nosey now john, but ive had to reply to that , thats the funniest thing ive read on here in ages

 

[John Benton]

I only come on to have a nosey now john, but ive had to reply to that , thats the funniest thing ive read on here in ages

Thought it would tickle a few.......

 

[One Day]

So have you looked at all the pics and do you think that overall that the job was carried out to an acceptable standard?

acceptable? Yes. Honestly if it went legal I think he'd win. Reasonable skill and care vs fitness for purpose | Construction Blog

many of the tilers on this forum take great pride in trying to drive up not only our own standards, but those of the tiling industry. "Acceptable" and a "Great" job are many leagues apart in difference.