What could be causing this? - damp behind tiles? - wet grout

[snackeroo]

It looks like water seapage coming through the grout, but cannot feel any wetness. Water pipes are below the tiles pictured. Could it be dampness behind the tiles through poor prep work?. I don't know to be honest, so am purely guessing from logic. This first appeared 2 days ago. (Part of an ongoing issue with poor workmanship/prep work)

 

[Tile Shop]

Is the discolouration permanent or does it dry out back to its normal colour? Is it in a shower area?

 

[acaciaguy]

Can you explain more? They are floor tiles as you say pipes are below?

 

[snackeroo]

Is the discolouration permanent or does it dry out back to its normal colour? Is it in a shower area?

This is new discolouration. It looks like it is wet, so unsure if moisture behind the tile. So far, it has not dried out. There are other areas of discolouration that have been there for a couple of weeks and has been raised. These are new.
The shower is not yet installed.

 

[snackeroo]

Can you explain more? They are floor tiles as you say pipes are below?

These are wall tiles. The pictures are of tiles that are above the water pipes.

 

[acaciaguy]

Take a tile off and have a look

 

[Tile Shop]

If the shower hasn't been used, it's more likely to be inconsistently mixed grout, maybe too wet or washed too soon, or washed with too much water releasing pigments. Take a bit of medium "wet and dry" and gently sand a small patch, see if it goes back to the intended colour, and if it does, keep an eye on it and see if it goes dark again. I think if it was water behind the tile, it would more likely soak the full width of the joint, not just down the sides of it.

 

[snackeroo]

If the shower hasn't been used, it's more likely to be inconsistently mixed grout, maybe too wet or washed too soon, or washed with too much water releasing pigments. Take a bit of medium "wet and dry" and gently sand a small patch, see if it goes back to the intended colour, and if it does, keep an eye on it and see if it goes dark again. I think if it was water behind the tile, it would more likely soak the full width of the joint, not just down the sides of it.

Tiler is coming back tomorrow for 2 days under instructions, so will see what happens. (not much hope anything will change for better, but...)

 

[Tile Shop]

what other issues have you had with the install?

 

[acaciaguy]

I agree with Paul c. If it was a leak it would be wider spread and you would need to take a tile off to investigate. What are the other issues? Are the other places with similar grout issues

 

[snackeroo]

what other issues have you had with the install?

It would be easier to say everything 😀. Pictures are here Public Thread!: Poor Tiling Workmanship by DIY and Rogue Traders - https://www.tilersforums.com/threads/public-thread-poor-tiling-workmanship-by-diy-and-rogue-traders.63897/page-48

Half way down some of the pictures. Bad prep work, not doing work to the contract, poor standard of tiling etc..

 

[snackeroo]

I agree with Paul c. If it was a leak it would be wider spread and you would need to take a tile off to investigate. What are the other issues? Are the other places with similar grout issues

The whole bathroom needs ripping out and starting from plastering the walls to make flat, as should have been from the start. Not doing that has left lippage all over, uneven tiling, badly fitted trim, badly cut tiles, uneven tile spacing etc... 🙁

 

[acaciaguy]

The whole bathroom needs ripping out and starting from plastering the walls to make flat, as should have been from the start. Not doing that has left lippage all over, uneven tiling, badly fitted trim, badly cut tiles, uneven tile spacing etc... 🙁

So sorry to hear that. Where are you based?

 

[snackeroo]

So sorry to hear that. Where are you based?

South Lincolnshire

 

[acaciaguy]

I specialise in rip outs ( a lot here do so I’m not boasting) back to floor and walls for re fits. To be honest. It’s the best way in some situations. I’m in Warwickshire but you will find someone great in this site.

 

[acaciaguy]

could you give more details as to what you want to be done. Pictures and a description of walls etc.

 

[snackeroo]

I specialise in rip outs ( a lot here do so I’m not boasting) back to floor and walls for re fits. To be honest. It’s the best way in some situations.

I agree, I think the only way to get the tiling done correctly is to rip it all off, plaster the walls flat, not leave old adhesive, blown skim and good skim then spray it with some sort of bonding - then 'mark' the room square virtically and horizontally then set the tiles and this time, apply the tiles onto a nice flat surface.

 

[snackeroo]

could you give me details as to what you want to be done. Pictures and a description of walls etc.

Still going through the legal processes at the moment. Until 'redo' work has been carried out, next stage cannot be initiated.

 

[acaciaguy]

Strip back to brick. Then either dot and dab appropriate plasterboard or use a cement board. You can batten wall out too. Don’t bother with bonding and skimming

 

[acaciaguy]

Still going through the legal processes at the moment. Until 'redo' work has been carried out, next stage cannot be initiated.

Sorry it’s that bad.

 

[snackeroo]

Sorry it’s that bad.

Yep 😉

 

[acaciaguy]

When are you hoping to get it sorted

 

[acaciaguy]

I’m happy for you to pm me about advice or services to refit

 

[snackeroo]

All four walls and window recess are like the picture below.

 

[snackeroo]

When are you hoping to get it sorted

From tomorrow. As much as an inkling of 'John Wayne' about it... will be told to leave.

 

[acaciaguy]

From the limited picture. It’s bad prep.

 

[snackeroo]

From the limited picture. It’s bad prep.

Other pics are on the rogue trader thread from page 48 onwards.

 

[acaciaguy]

Yes. I thought I’d seen it before. Anyway. Let us all know the outcome.

 

[snackeroo]

My work:

https://www.tilersforums.com/attachments/20190519_153357-jpg.106887/

 

[snackeroo]

Their work:

 

[Dan1234]

Their work:

Looks like the tiler has just followed the contour of your bad walls.

Maybe they should have said to you when starting or looking at the job that your walls are out of plumb do you want use to follow the walls or knock all the render off back to block and re-board it to make it level. This would cost a lot more money this way.