Faulty or defective adhesive

[bsc ceramics]

Time to get nasty....

 

[Dan]

He will not admit that it’s not acceptable. He’s blaming the adhesive, the fact that the plasterboard was uneven ( he replaced all the boards)
He got very upset and said I was calling him a cowboy. He left without repairing it and said he won’t be fixing it in the next two weeks. I’ve paid him £3500 of the £4540 he invoiced.
He did my neighbours bathroom and had to come back because a floor tile cracked. He’s working for another 2 people in our close at the moment. He’s bad mouthing me to them saying I’m just causing trouble. I’ve decided I will just get another tiler to redo the floor and window. Thanks for your input

How did you get on with this Meg? Any update from the tiler?

 

[Dan]

Hi

Firstly, before I get abused I would like to agree with all of the comments above. It has not been done correctly and it is very unlikey that there is a fault with the adhesive. If you can find out the manufacturer of the adhesive I am sure that a sample can be tested to see if it is at fault (I know this can be done with plaster, never needed to try it with tile adhesive). If they can confirm the adhesive is not at fault it will work in favour if you intend to pursue it.

Here is the unpopular bit, having looked closely at the picture I suspect the reason it has failed is down to dust on the back of the tile causing it not to bond and not the fact that it has been dabbed. I think you can see the white dust stuck in the adhesive.

The fact that it has been dot and dabbed does not necessarily mean the rest of it will fail (although no one can guarantee that). I have taken many many tiles up over the years thats have been dot and dabbed and they showed no sign of failing. The only way those tiles were coming off was with a hammer and chisel.

Good luck getting it resolved.

There is an argument to be had in saying that if you dot enough, then dab a lot, you might get the coverage percentage right and hold on.

But then there are other rules it doesn't conform to.

And one main one being as it needs 90 - 100% coverage in wet areas, and 100% no arguing for floors, then it just takes too much time dotting and dabbing.

Often done decades ago. But it's the sign of an untrained and unskilled tiler these days with the adhesives and grouts we have as options, and the tile weights that need to be installed etc.

So the neighbour needs a clip around the ear. I bet he got a nice £400 drink out of it by the sounds of it too.

 

[Phone-a-tiler]

Great previous comments guys
If the tiles are non porous porcelain then the tile should be buttered fully as well.
Code is saying not to spot fix.
In a wet area, condensation can form behind the tile particularly near the window (same as in between a failed double glazing panel )
Tiler could have cut the window face tiles to allow for less overhang of the head so less adhesive was needed.
Siliconing the floor tiles is beyond poor to fix the problem. If tiles are moving silicone will fail eventually and movement could also pull the waterproofing .
If the walls are uneven and he fitted the boards, he has no excuse
Im wondering how good his waterproofing will be?
Only good point is he has done a good mitre but for 22 days it should be good