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Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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Posted by jenjrev (My Page) on Tue, Nov 17, 09 at 21:56
| I'm struggling with how to handle this with my contractor and whether it is as big a deal as it feels right now.
My subway tile surround went up. First time I saw it, I noticed that there was a significantly larger gap between the tile and the tub on one side than the other. I mentioned it to him. He assured me repeatedly that once the grout/caulk went in, it would be fine. Well now he has grouted the seam and it just looks worse. A nice 1/16" seam on the left side and then as you go around the tub it gets larger and larger and maxes out at 3/4"!! I pulled out a level tonight and sure enough, the tile simply wasn't install horizontally.
I am devastated because I know it will glare at me everytime I see it. Besides, the 3/4" seam is opposite from the shower head so I can't imagine how water will not penetrate into it.
This is a big deal, right? Is it big enough that I basically ask him to remove all the tile and start over at his expense? That feels like a huge thing to ask but is there any other way to fix it? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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| No matter what, a 3/4" joint next to the tub is completely unacceptable. As far as how to handle it, the only real way to handle it, if he started with full tile on the bottom, is to take it all down and redo it. What I've seen done (although I don't care for it) is to take some 2x6 bullnose and go around the bottom of the walls with it, capping that bottom joint, and then grouting the top, and caulking the bottom of it. Like I said, I don't care for it, but it is considered acceptable. |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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Three-Quarters of an inch?!
(If that's really the case, take photos with a tape measure next to the seam and keep them in case he gives your grief.) But yes, that's completely and without question, unacceptable. |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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| Thank you for the quick responses! Bill - when you say use 2x6 bullnose, I'm not quite following you. He has full tile there currently so 2x6 wouldn't be enough to replace the full tile and cover the joint. What am I misunderstanding? |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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| My first thought was, "the tilesetter must have laid the tile level but the tub was not level..." But you said that you put the level on the tub and it IS level?? And did you put the level on the tile and it's NOT level? I hate to say it, but if that's the case I think I would not accept it. And that's just from an aesthetic standpoint, not even considering Bill's point about the 3/4" gap being too big from a functionality point of view. But- maybe there are other circumstances here we don't know about. Is the room really out of square/plumb? |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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| Our tile setter did the same thing, but our biggest gap is less than 1/2" and it is a big pain. Like you say, it is noticeable, but more importantly the caulk doesn't stay properly in a gap that big (and I hope he caulked and didn't grout it). I've had to replace the caulk twice in that area. |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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| The tub is perfectly level. But when you hold the level to the grout lines, they are not level - hence the increasing size of the gap as it goes around the tub. The really puzzling part is that this all started with the first row he laid - it is blatantly obvious to the naked eye. So I'm increasingly frustrated that he simply didn't care enough to correct it early in the process. He'll be here any minute. I am SO not looking forward to this conversation. And yes, he grouted instead of caulked. Of course. |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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| So do you think this would work for a solution? The subway tile comes in a matching 6x6 tile as well. What if I had him remove the bottom row of tiles and then custom cut 6x6's to the correct height all around the tub? The tiles on the right would be 3/4" taller than the ones on the left but at least the grout and caulk lines would be correct and I wouldn't have to worry about water leaking. Thoughts? |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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| jenjrev-- What I'm talking about is putting the bullnos OVER the gab and bottom of the existing tile, like a second layer of tile. The bullnose would provide for a finished edge, and the piece would cover that joint. I've seen this done before, and although I'm not a big fan, it IS an acceptable look if there's no other alternative. However, I'd be furious at this point, and I think I'd be demanding that this jerk take the tile down and redo it at his expense. Either that, or he wouldn't be paid, and I'd be getting someone else in there to do it. |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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| So does that mean you would end up with a "ledge" where the bullnose sits on top of the regular tile? And then you would caulk or grout that ledge? Seems like it would collect alot of water - or am I still not getting it? One other question - he laid my carrera marble hex, grouted it and then has walked over it and continued construction on top of it. So it is covered in abrasive dirt, drywall bits, caulk, etc.. He only let it "cure" for about 14 hours which according to the Mapei web site is insufficient. The grout and tile are FILTHY and I can't see how the grout will ever be clean again so it can be sealed. Surely he should have covered it in that brown construction paper you see in new builds? Thoughts? |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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| Yes, you're getting it. So long as he fills that top joint, water won't collect there. As for the floor, a little oxyclean and water will clean it up pretty nicely. That said, it would've been nice if he'd put SOMETHING down, whether it be kraft paper, cardboard, or whatever. One way or the other, your floor should be okay, unless he's used anything petroleum based in there and gotten it on the tile or grout. |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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| When I read your first post I was thinking that I would never except such sloppy work. Yes I would make him tear it all out and do it over before I gave him another penny. When I read about him walking on the floor before it was cured and not covering it I found myself getting angry and it's not even my bathroom. This guy sounds like an unqualified moron! I would make him hire someone professional to clean AND seal it and if it didn't come clean I would not pay him. I have had several houses built and renovated an older house and when issues come up you need to voice your concerns and not back down. They have a great way of trying to talk you into some type of patch job or make some other type of promise. Do not accept what is unacceptable to you. If they don't want to fix it then they don't get paid, period. Then you can find a better contractor to finish/fix the job. Be strong and good luck. Amanda |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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| There is no way that you are overreacting. As has been said, that is totally unacceptable. I am in the midst of my second bath remodel. I know how uncomfortable it can be demanding what you pay for, but stick to your guns. PTL that this remodel has gone off without any major hitches and my tile guys are doing a perfect job. |
RE: Is this a tile disaster or am I over reacting?
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jenjrev
you don't live in Philly, do you?! Sounds like we both have the same #%?#!(@)(! contractor......... |
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