I had a tiler I had used before and he got me some porcelain tiles for my kitchen. Says that they were very popular called Radica Negro.
He did an excellent job of laying them but a year later the colour started wearing off on a lot of them. I contacted the tiler and felt I was being given the run around, however he did eventually come round and look. he couldnt understand why this had happened and that he would get in touch with the retailer. They also eventually came round and took a tile away for testing. The result being that there is nothing wrong with the tiles. This has now dragged on for a year and I am still no further in getting some sort of result. They are saying that I must have done something. The only thing I use on the tiles is flash and warm water. I do, however, use a hoover on them once a week, but surely this would not cause such wearing away of the colour? I did contact trading standards who thought I had a case but would probably have to prove that I had not done anything to the tiles to cause the problem. Can anyone offer advice? Have I caused the problem?

hi joyce sounds like either a faulty tile or a cheap one you realy need to get a third opinon try to get a trusted forum user to have a look hope this helps

My first thought was that the tiler is only responsible for the quality of his fixing and that your issue is with the tile supplier and manufacturer.
However since you stated that the tiler got you the tiles he may be liable as well.
Did you pay him for the tiles or the supplier?
Who was the retailer and did you get a report on the testing?
I have heard of a few problems with a 600x600mm black porcelain tile from one of the larger DIY outlets but this was through not sealing rather than wearing away the colour.
Porcelain is a solid colour all the way through so it may be discolouration through bleaching from the cleaning agents.
I would check with Flash to see if it is recommended on porcelain and the tile retailer for that written report.
Good luck.
John.

Hi John
I paid the tiler for the work and the tiles. The tiles are not the same colour all the way through and whilst he was still laying the tiles he had to replace a few as they were making a crackling noise when you walked on them. The tiles are from Tiles UK.

that does not sound ggo recomend a third oppiniun

Had 2 professional tilers round tonight and they have both said that in their opinions the tiles had a fault with the glazing. So looks like I am going to be composing a letter to the tiler tomorrow to see about getting a refund and maybe taking legal advice if its not forthcoming. Feel bad as its really the suppliers responsibility, but the tiler has been keeping his head down too which makes me feel less bad! Do you think I am being to hard on him?

Hi Joyce,
Sorry i missed your reply and glad you got another opinion.
At the end of the day he has to accept responsibility as he supplied the materials and fixed them.
In my opinion he should be doing all he can in conjunction with the tile distributor to help you solve the problem especially as he has worked for you before.
As this is not the case at present a softly worded letter with a time limit for a reply would be my first action. 7 days later a dissapointed no reply letter to follow up mentioning your rights as advised by the trading standards and him leaving you with no alternative but to consider applying to the court for judgement of liability. Your statutory rights are that the materials were not fit for the purpose intended and they don't look like the tiles advertised in the showroom.Good luck.
John.

Is this the said tiles



Bathroom Tiles, Kitchen Tiles, Wall Tiles, Floor Tiles, Marble, Quarry - Tile choice


if it is then can you post some pics of what you have now..?

Hi Dave
Yes, those are the tiles. Took a picture but can't figure out how to upload it. The raised surfaces are worn away and the biscuit colour is showing through in the high activity areas of the kitchen.

sorted - not a very good picture I'm afraid. Will take a picture in daylight tomorrow

Looks like a glazing fault...will wait to see better pics...

hi joyce

flash contains bleach so things may not be as clear cut as you would like..........sorry

ive seen flash take the pattern off ceramic floor tiles over a period of time (15 yrs)

but having said that , you have porcelain and not biscuit

im surprised that porcelain tiles wore on the high spots as they are a vitrified tile and as such should be resistant to wear, bleach, acid etc

it does sound like a fault with the glazing

your tiler supplied and laid these tiles in good faith and is probably as horrified as you that things have gone this way, falling out with him will be counter productive as he may well meet you half way on this matter if you can get the tiles re supplied

you now need to get an independant assessment of what has gone wrong

getting a report from the tile association would be a good starting point and depending on what they say you can get redress from the supplier

good luck mike

insurance?

Originally Posted by FreeD

insurance?

good thinking freed

most insurances have legal cover as well

better pictures of a couple of tiles - the size of the tile is 33 x 33, so not quite the size of the picture above from Dave. I would prefer to get redress from the supplier. How do I get a report from the tile association Mike?

How long did you say they had been installed..?

To me it looks like a problem with the glaze. It looks like the glaze isn't thick enough on the raised areas and is simply wearing away.

Just as an aside, what testing exactly did the retailer have done on the tile they took away? Did you recieve any confirmation of this from someone other than them (The manufacturer for example)? I don't like to suggest anything untoward has happened, but it wouldnt be unknown for a retailer to simply give someone the run-around in order to make them go away.

It's a porcelain tile. I've used a lot stronger cleaners (Admittedly on different porcelain tiles, but the principle is the same) than flash to remove protective waxes and the like, and never had a problem like the one you have.

The job was done in October 2006 but they started wearing at the end of 2007.
I did call the supplier on 2 occasions after he told me that they had had the report back and the result was that their was nothing wrong with the tiles. However all I got was an answer phone, so left a message that I wanted a copy of the report. Still no return call. This lady is not going anywhere! According to trading standards I have 6 years to claim and thats a long way off yet.

Just out of curiosity joyce....where did they come up with the figure 6 years..?

What area of the the property is the floor situated and how much traffic do they get

Sorry to say, but I think the supplier has basically given you the run-around. If they hadnt they would have gave you a copy of the report without hesitation. Do they have a store you can go to so you can speak to someone in person?

I honestly dont think it's down to your tiler. It basically seems like a faulty batch of tiles, and your tiler wouldnt have known that at the time. Keep on at the supplier.

excerpt from the trading standards office email

'Under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 any work should be carried out with reasonable care and skill, at a reasonable price and in a reasonable time. Materials used should also be of satisfactory quality, fit for their purpose and as described.
Rights under the above act last for a period of 6 years so should there be problems with the work done or materials used then the customer may have the right to make a claim against the company they paid their money to.'

Unfortunately for the tiler, he's the one we paid the money to.

the area is the kitchen, but we work all day, so its only evening and weekend traffic

Hello,Joyce.
That is why i asked who you paid your money too for the tiles!
Your tiler should be doing the chasing for you - its in his own interest.
It is easy to criticise peoples work - but that's not the case here. You said in your opening post that he did an excellent job, but in the trading standards email it is the tiler who must take responsibility. No acceptable tile would show the wear yours does within such a short period of time.
Keep up the fight
John.