Floor tiles debonding after UFH turned on - Tile Advice

[faceman]

Hi I've got a problem on a building site with a floor. The UFH was turned on last week and now the floor tiles have debonded. In my opinion the floor was to hot but was assured the manifold was set to low. However the wall stat read 22 degrees. I was told if the doors were kept shut the heating could work properly and settle. I removed a tile which came up with all the adhesive attached to reveal a damp floor and water collected in the small voids. It was like this across the floor. I'd like to point out a small area around the cupboard hadn't been done due to the plasterers using a temporary tap in there which left the cupboard damp. Unfortunately the builder had agreed on a decoupling membrane before we started and I'd forgotten this conversation. Only two rows had gone down but I was confident it would be fine as its only 27m and been down two months. We used norcross flexible adhesives and tiled it like the other thousands of floors we've done previously. Sadly I guaranteed it wouldn't fail due to a lack of decoupling membrane. Obviously it has but I'm adamant it's not for that reason. Am I wrong?

 

[Dave]

Hi.
Firstly what screed type is it ?

 

[faceman]

Hi.
Firstly what screed type is it ?

Hi.
Firstly what screed type is it ?

Sand and cement. I was told today the tap was always leaking.

 

[Dave]

Sand and cement. I was told today the tap was always leaking.

Was the screed/heating commissioned before tiling , as in heated up to allow screeds first initial expansion?

 

[bsc ceramics]

porcolaine tiles on a sand and cement screed should be fine with no mat
thermal shock would be my guess but with out seeing it, its is just a guess

 

[Ajax123]

Was the screed primed prior to tiling?

 

[bsc ceramics]

did you charge him for the mat???

 

[faceman]

did you charge him for the mat???

No, he’s asked for it at the last moment and I’d forgotten to bring it on our first day. I said at 27m it’d be fine but we agreed to mat the others. Done 8 more since. I’d guess the mat is doing a good job of saving the others. For this reason he’s saying it’s my fault. I would never have guaranteed it if I’d known about the water under the screed and he would turn the ufh so high.

 

[faceman]

Was the screed/heating commissioned before tiling , as in heated up to allow screeds first initial expansion?

No. No amenities to the site at that point. Pretty standard in the building industry.

 

[faceman]

Was the screed primed prior to tiling?

I always prime because of the amount of plaster that gets dropped. You can see in a photo the plaster stuck to my adhesive. It has gone soft from the moisture from the screed.

 

[Ajax123]

Im assuming that this is an install that you have done for the builder. If so It sounds to me like you've answered your own questions here.

1. Decoupling was agreed but not supplied so thats a breach of contract.
2. You guaranteed the tiles would not fail as a result and they have failed somthats a breach of guarantee.
3. The floor was clearly wet and probably too wet to tile directly. I'm assuming no moisture test done which is a failure to observe due diligence.
4. The underfloor heating was not commissioned prior to tiling which fails to meet the required standard of best practice.
5. Plaster left on the floor prior to tiling shows lacking adequate preparation which is also a failure to meet the required standard if best practice.

If I were you i'd be doing everything reasonable to sort it out. Ie. Lift and replace the tiles at your cost. If it went to litigation you would not have a leg to stand on. It would not be diffucult for the builder to prove to a court that it is your fault regardless of what temperature the heating went on at.

 

[benchwarmer]

You're cutting corners fella, you've been bit on the arse, and now you're looking for a way out!
There isn't one!
You've fuxxed the job, and now you're doing it again👌