Am I Expecting Too Much - Tile Advice

[Amichel]

We are in a new build and I’m not happy with the tile floors. Yesterday an inspector from the flooring company which provided both the tiles and the labor came out to look at the floors. He declared them ‘damned good.’ He also said the acceptable lippage was equal to two nickels. Can that be right? I’m attaching some pictures which I also provided to the flooring company and builder.

Thanks in advance.

Sorry, there are a lot of pictures.

 

[Flintstone]

On first impression it looks to be mostly poor grouting.

 

[Amichel]

On first impression it looks to be mostly poor grouting.

Thanks. Do you think it can or should be repaired?

 

[GoneGuy]

As above, looks like the grout has been washed out.
With regards to the lippage I would say it’s not acceptable and might be worth having a look at the ANSI website

 

[Dumbo]

I think he misunderstands the two nickel test . In Canada I don't think it's an official test but they might do a tooney(two dollar coin) test where you slide it over the floor and it doesn't get stuck on tile edges .

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Are you an engineer by any chance?

 

[Dan]

I think you might be able to go over the grout. Cement will still to cement. But really it needs digging back a bit maybe.

The lippage if it's just one I'm kinda thinking on those kinda plank tiles it is inevitable if you cant use lash clips at the ends and the middle? (The tilers will know more) because they can bow during firing.

 

[Amichel]

As above, looks like the grout has been washed out.
With regards to the lippage I would say it’s not acceptable and might be worth having a look at the ANSI website

Thank you for taking the time to look.

As above, looks like the grout has been washed out.
With regards to the lippage I would say it’s not acceptable and might be worth having a look at the ANSI website

Also, the grout lines vary from a bit under 2 mm to 8 mm. We upgraded to have the thin grout lines but I was told this was within standards.

Are you an engineer by any chance?

No.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

How big an area of flooring are we talking about and have you any distant photos.

 

[Amichel]

How big an area of flooring are we talking about and have you any distant photos.

It’s the entire house, over 3000 square feet. Here are some distant pics. Thank you for looking, I appreciate it.

 

[Spud]

taking super close up pictures isnt fair to the contractor , yes the grouting could be fuller but it looks like you have a polymer hybrid resin grout like spectralock these take a lot of water to wash off and can result in shallower than normal grout joints especially with rectified edge porcelain tiles , snagging and defects are supposed to be sighted from a position standing in the centre of the room , its obvious you are not happy and are looking for support in your complaint but please post some pictures standing in the centre of the room showing the whole tiled area so we can give you a fair opinion of the work

 

[Amichel]

Actually we had to have the grout sealed due to what they said was efflorescence? The grout was different colors.

Yes, I am unhappy with the work. I’m not here to get anyone to agree with me, just wanting to know if I’m being too picky. Not happy when I go to pull out a chair and it gets stuck on the tiles underneath.

Here are more pics from the vantage you asked for. Thank you for looking.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I would imagine that 1 picture for every 10 sq mts (approx), when as stated most are grouting issues, would suggest that you are expecting too much!
Certainly you have some issues but nothing that is insurmountable.
I’d go as far as saying - ‘damned good’ - for 3000sq feet!

 

[Amichel]

They are refusing to fix...

 

[Spud]

They are refusing to fix...

good customer relations are important to every business and their refusal may well be a knee jerk reaction , perhaps ask a if them if there is a TNCA representative local to you who could mediate in your dispute , they should respect another professional opinion but you will also have to agree to their descison on a fair expectation of the finished work