New tile install issues, am I being too picky??

[semipro]

I've found that I can break out the tiles and then remove the grout from the backer. It damages the backer a bit but the new grout takes cares of that.

Side note: I forgot to install the screws to attach the backer to the plywood in one of our bathes; realizing it only after the tile was down. I had installed grout between the plywood and backer though.
Interestingly, its held up perfectly anyway for about 10 years now.

 

[Sledhead00]

If they applied tile to plywood you should have them pull the complete floor out. I spent 20 yrs. in the tile install industry and have seen this type of install fail 99.9% of the time. Find a real tile contractor.

They said cement board was put down. If it was done right you have plywood, thin coat of mortar/thinset, backer board, mortar/thinset and then tile.

Sportbike is correct this is how it was done...

I just don't agree. I think the photos show a very inferior job. I'd be a whole lot more mad than the OP is. That's why I do most everything myself. Hard to find good people these days.

I wish I had the ability to do these things myself.. I have a good friend who has helped/shown me trim and molding work and is going to show me how to install interior doors so I can do the other 10 myself. This was to much for me to tackle, but it kinda looks like i did it now!! While the contractor agreed that some were certainly excess that many I had marked (think im at about 30 tiles) were within his acceptance and wouldnt replace..

That's a bummer. I'd certainly ask for it to be fixed, which is going to be an even bigger bummer for the contractor. For some things, such as tile work, you should consider hiring someone that solely works in that field. Let us know how you make out.

I did price two places that do just flooring but they would only do it, if I bought the tile from them... Their cost for the same exact tile was 2-2.25x what I paid for it at lowes

seen many a tile guys use the old roll of painters tape! That is not a very good job, oddball one here or there happens, I think Ive got two and not even close to that severe on my whole main floor. I would not be happy! Hope they make it right for ya

Agreed. As I mentioned I think here before and I told the contractor, theres no rhyme or reason to the offset tiles like there was an issue with the sub floor in a specific area. There's a tile here skip 5,another bad one,skip 3, etc..

Been having trouble posting,I'll have a bit more in little bit.

 

[Warm_in_NH]

I don't do tile often, but I've seen a lot of warped tile come from the big box stores, there's a reason they cost half as much. If you have left overs take them and lay them on a true flat surface, or back to back with each other and see if they're warped, if so, that's the root cause of the problem.

Should also note, when a customer buys tile from a box store, I open a few boxes, show them the warped tiles, explain what it's going to end up like, (see your pics), then either get new tiles, or fudge it in with wider grout lines to try to blend the elevation differences. This is done prior to starting the job, not after its done.

Could just be a sloppy install too, or both, lack of experience and less than perfect tiles.

 

[Sledhead00]

I don't do tile often, but I've seen a lot of warped tile come from the big box stores, there's a reason they cost half as much. If you have left overs take them and lay them on a true flat surface, or back to back with each other and see if they're warped, if so, that's the root cause of the problem.

Should also note, when a customer buys tile from a box store, I open a few boxes, show them the warped tiles, explain what it's going to end up like, (see your pics), then either get new tiles, or fudge it in with wider grout lines to try to blend the elevation differences. This is done prior to starting the job, not after its done.

Could just be a sloppy install too, or both, lack of experience and less than perfect tiles.

Valid point and he actually took several of the leftover tiles and laid them on my counter saying there could be a thickness variation but there wasn't. Not that there couldn't have been in the other 13 boxes
I had the tile for almost 2 months before they started and had actually open several boxes looking for broken ones and to just lay them out myself to see what it would look like because I was antsy and didn't notice anything.

 

[Sledhead00]

So the guy came over the other night and while he was willing to listen to my concern I wasn't thrilled with his response.
He intially played it off asking what issues do you see while standing. And you don't really notice it while standing but that's not pt.
He agreed some of that a handful were excessive but not many of the roughly 30 I've marked. The rest were acceptable.
I pointed out tiles that started lower on one end then higher on the other end then the one next to it.
He stated that he doesn't feel the floor is going anywhere and that it's solid,which I agreed but again I said my issue is its not level or even close enough. I do worry some that over time do to the difference the grout might start cracking and then snowballing from there. As unhappy as I am right now I will be even more unhappy if that's the case 2 yrs down the rd when it could be fixed now.
He said he will put it in writing that the floor will hold up which doesn't do much for me because ITS NOT LEVEL!
So in the end he said he'd change the ones I feel are the worst in the walking paths. I didn't agree to anything and told him I'm getting another opinion.
My plans are to have at 1 or2 others looked at and see what they think. If they think it's shotty to ill get an estimate from them to make it right then take those back to the original contractor. I'll say this is what it's going to take it to make it right so you guys can make it right at no additional cost to me or walk away and I'm only paying the difference of your original cost and the cost to fix it. Thankfully I have not paid a dime yet.

 

[Sledhead00]

He didn't have any answers when I showed him this either to show level issue. I'm like how am I suppose to cover this seam??

 

[claydogg84]

The other contractors are going to say it's shotty work, which may be true. Insist on the original company fixing the job, or refunding the money.

 

[vinny11950]

Thankfully I have not paid a dime yet.

Well if you haven't paid him yet, you have significant leverage. If there are that many tiles to fix (30), it sounds like a redo of the entire tile floor.

Sadly, the most I see the contractor doing is fixing a few tiles and calling it a day. In which case you should ask for a discount because all the tiles are not level. Take as much of a discount as possible and see if you can live with the floor being uneven.

I would be surprised if he agrees to redo everything at no additional cost. Ripping out the tiles and reinstalling is another job altogether. Plus, do you trust his skills for doing it right?

 

[Sledhead00]

What did you pay installed per sqft with backer? Only labor.

I bought the tile, grout and spacers myself. They supplied the backer board, screws and mortar and obviously labor. I think I'm in the $15-17 sq ft

 

[Wooden Head]

He didn't have any answers when I showed him this either to show level issue. I'm like how am I suppose to cover this seam??

Wow! That needs to be corrected. If he refuses to make the corrections, give him the option of Someone else correcting it and he will be charged for that or he corrects it. Do not pay him until it is corrected. Ask him if he knows what the John Bridge Forum is. If not he shouldn't be in the tile business.

 

[vinny11950]

John Bridge Forum

Great forum!