Help!: Help and advice needed...

[bren]

Hi All,

Sorry to ask, but I do need some advice and help.

I have recently had a property maintenance guy to tile our bathroom, which was re-plastered especially for the job.

The guy has made a few big mistakes, like not aligning the small mosaics with the white tiles (Even though they fit exactly). Also many tiles are not straight. He had to re-tile a complete wall due to tiling the first lot on a slope, so the join in the top corner of two walls were way out.

Now after grouting two walls, we have noticed that there are many white tiles grouped together that are not the same shade of white! The tiles were bought by us at B&Q at the same time from the same pallet. The variation in white is pretty extreme and can easily be spotted.

I telephoned B&Q and told them of the problem and they said did I check the batch numbers on the boxes as the manufacturing colour process can vary. I had no idea to check for batch numbers. They also said that if you employed a professional to do the job, they should have spotted this and I should go to the tiler to get it sorted.

The thing I have an issue with is: B&Q are a DIY store. I am clearly no tiling expert and there was nothing in store to suggest to check batch numbers. I also cannot see a batch number on the boxes of the tiles. Only a EN number, but I don't know if that is batch number or product number. The store sales person never asked me if I checked the batch numbers either.

I think I have a good claim against B&Q and the tiler. What does anyone think I should do to rectify the problem?

P.S. I called the tiler after speaking to the B&Q. He said he has never checked tiles for batch numbers. More worrying he didn't even notice the variation in colours! Not surprising he hung a wall on a slope then?!?

Thanks.

Bren

[Droopy]

You can blame the "tiler" for poor fixing, but not for poor tiles.
And 90% of tiles from B&Q are poor, in my experience.



If the main issue you have is with the tiles, take your complaint to B&Q.
If it's with the tiling, take it to the fixer.

One other thing, shade variations in white tiles can be hard to notice before grouting. Even though it stands out a mile after the grout has been done.

[bal]

Sounds like youve had bad luck on two fronts poor tiles and not getting a fully trained tiler in, ive only been a member of the forum for a few months and the amount of complaints about B&Q tiles and crap tiling by so called tilers just keeps piling up.Wont call him a tiler but bloke who fixed them on the wall should have spotted shade difference and swapped them, there are disclaimers on many boxes of tiles saying once fixed cannot be taken back as for tiler ( spirit level)!

[Droopy]

Sounds like youve had bad luck on two fronts poor tiles and not getting a fully trained tiler in, ive only been a member of the forum for a few months and the amount of complaints about B&Q tiles and crap tiling by so called tilers just keeps piling up.Wont call him a tiler but bloke who fixed them on the wall should have spotted shade difference and swapped them, there are disclaimers on many boxes of tiles saying once fixed cannot be taken back as for tiler ( spirit level)!

I can't agree with that at all.
If he supplied the tiles, then yes, it would be his responsibilty.
Or if he DID notice, then he should have told the customer.
But to say he SHOULD have noticed is wrong.
You can't expect him to check every tile as it comes out the box for any possible shade difference. As I said, even if it looks obvious after it is grouted, that doesn't mean it was noticeable beforehand.
As for checking batch numbers, that is down to the customer when he picks them up from B&Q.
But even that doesn't mean much.
Half the time B&Q have NO batch number.
And the other half of the time, the different shades/sizes are coming out of one box.

[elliot]

i agree re the B+Q tiles - poor quality and bad advice but to say he diddnt know about batch no;s this is sad , use a good tile supplier and ask for reccomendations re the tiler

[grumpygrouter]

Another point that needs bearing in mind is that, in my experience, the box of tiles will state that there may be shade variation even within the same batch number and that all the boxes should be opened and tiles "shuffled" together to spread out any variation. Not necessarily a specific B&Q issue but probably is, as their tiles do not come with the best reputation.

[bal]

Well never know how bad tiles are cos we cant see a pic but it sounds like even if they were blatent rubbish right infront of his eyes he wouldnt have noticed going from customers discription of his standard of work if he couldnt see his wall going off at an angle what could he see!

[Droopy]

Well never know how bad tiles are cos we cant see a pic but it sounds like even if they were blatent rubbish right infront of his eyes he wouldnt have noticed going from customers discription of his standard of work if he couldnt see his wall going off at an angle what could he see!

As I said, if the tiling is the problem get him back to sort that.
But don't go blaming him for the poor quality of the tiles aswell.

[enduro]

Yes i agree with grumpy on this one, doesnt matter what manufactures tiles you are fixing you should always mix the tiles as a rule of thumb. I did a bathroom floor a couple of weeks ago and two boxes half way through changed a different shade, but all the batch numbers matched..after a few words with the supplier who said i was wrong, i took them back to the shop, and it turned out they had been packed wrong at the manufacturers...So you still have to keep your wits about you when fixing.

[bal]

As I said, if the tiling is the problem get him back to sort that.
But don't go blaming him for the poor quality of the tiles aswell.

Only replying to the thread in a way that i think is correct and i still think is right , i obviuosly cant blame bloke for quality of tiles he has to have a bit of forsite and awareness with the materials hes using and let the customer know its not rocket science but still doesnt excuse his crap use of crap materials!

[Droopy]

Only replying to the thread in a way that i think is correct and i still think is right , i obviuosly cant blame bloke for quality of tiles he has to have a bit of forsite and awareness with the materials hes using and let the customer know its not rocket science but still doesnt excuse his crap use of crap materials!

I;m not excusing his crap use of the materials.
I'm just not blaming him FOR the crap materials. Which is what both you and Bren seemed to be doing.

[garythetiler]

most tile boxes have a disclaimer notice on the side of the box along the lines of this
please check all materials before fitting as no claim is valid after the tiles have been fitted
tiles from several boxes should be used to avoid shading
if you are not happy with the tilers work you shouldnt have paid him but i kind of agree with some of the other posts, you cant make a silk purse out of a sow's ear what do you expect when you purchase the cheapest tiles on the market

[faithhealer]

On my very first job I thought I was helping a customer out by buying an extra box of white tiles, made a note of the batch No and even took a tile with me. Looked fine in the shop but looked dreadful after grouting. Never again, she hammered me, left my confidence in tatters but live and learn

[salmonfisher]

cheap crap tiles cheap crap tiler

you only get what you pay for

[bal]

I dont think Brens got a leg to stand on really sounds like hes tried to save money on both fronts and got stung and now he either lives with it or digs deep and sorts it out and buys a decent tile and employes a proper tiler.

[bren]

Thanks for all the comments....

To answer a few points:
I never tried to save money. I actually tried to get 6 quotes for the job. Ended up with 3 quotes. The guy I used was not the cheapest but could do it when we had time off work originally (although this did not work out). The guy I wanted to do the work actually blew me out completely. Another tiler only guy couldn't do it for many weeks after when we wanted. I guess now this is a sign of a busy good tiler. But things are great in hindsight.

Regarding B&Q tiles, I am no expert. I have no idea what is a good place to get tiles and which isn't. I can see from the responses that B&Q are not seen in high regards and I will definately bear this in mind in future. I will actually take the floor tiles back before they are laid! Please recommend a good tiler and a good tile store!?

Regarding pictures, I will try and post some. I need to recharge my camera battery and will put some on later.

Also regarding noticing the variations before laying. I must admit I didn't notice seeing variations before grouting. But after grouting it is distinctly obvious. Now I can see the variations in the ones that are still to be grouted....So now that I am aware and trained my eye to look for variation I can see. But again this is a learning curve for me.

I do take the points regarding mixing the tiles up, as I think if this happened the varying tiles would have been blended in and not noticed!

Thanks again.

[aj ball]

b&q tiles are poor quality done a job about 12 months ago batch numbers all the same opened the boxes mixed them up finished the job dusting the tiles down after grouting and 10-12 tiles stuck like a sore thumb never use b&q for tiles i always tell my customers never use b&q for tiles

[pjtiler]

put a 40 watt bulb in
and next time buy the tiles from a reputable tile shop,distributes

[kilty55]

the only advice i can give you is dont buy tiles from b and q because they are poor quality in general and dont employ a property maintenence man to tile your room proffesionaly as you wont get it,if you want a good job pay a tiler to tile your room,they specialise in one thing.........tiling ,,,not semi skilled at 6 different trades and punting out mediocar work as they please,,cheapest is not always the best!!!

[GazTech]

If only the general public would research the job, life would be far easier for them. We hare on the forum are a prime example, just a day or so reading relevant posts that are most like their project would stand them in very good stead. Bathrooms are the most expensive room along with kitchens in any house, why take a gamble when all the information on do's and dont's is just a google away.......Gaz

[Fekin]

I agree on both sides, shade variation is sometimes very difficult to spot until grouted but other times it's easy to spot, but a tiler in my opinion should always be looking out for this problem.

[andy-p]

As I said, if the tiling is the problem get him back to sort that.
But don't go blaming him for the poor quality of the tiles aswell.

100% behind you here drew!! how many times in the past when tiles were of poorer quality, did you tile a room and not until after grouting did you notice shade differences, very difficult to spot sometimes..

[Dan]

Hi All,

Sorry to ask, but I do need some advice and help.

I have recently had a property maintenance guy to tile our bathroom, which was re-plastered especially for the job.

The guy has made a few big mistakes, like not aligning the small mosaics with the white tiles (Even though they fit exactly). Also many tiles are not straight. He had to re-tile a complete wall due to tiling the first lot on a slope, so the join in the top corner of two walls were way out.

Now after grouting two walls, we have noticed that there are many white tiles grouped together that are not the same shade of white! The tiles were bought by us at B&Q at the same time from the same pallet. The variation in white is pretty extreme and can easily be spotted.

I telephoned B&Q and told them of the problem and they said did I check the batch numbers on the boxes as the manufacturing colour process can vary. I had no idea to check for batch numbers. They also said that if you employed a professional to do the job, they should have spotted this and I should go to the tiler to get it sorted.

The thing I have an issue with is: B&Q are a DIY store. I am clearly no tiling expert and there was nothing in store to suggest to check batch numbers. I also cannot see a batch number on the boxes of the tiles. Only a EN number, but I don't know if that is batch number or product number. The store sales person never asked me if I checked the batch numbers either.

I think I have a good claim against B&Q and the tiler. What does anyone think I should do to rectify the problem?

P.S. I called the tiler after speaking to the B&Q. He said he has never checked tiles for batch numbers. More worrying he didn't even notice the variation in colours! Not surprising he hung a wall on a slope then?!?

Thanks.

Bren

Got any pictures you can show us?

[Dave]

Hi bren....sorry to here of your dilemma......where abouts are you and i'll see if i can sort you a tile fixer out....

[bren]

Thanks again for the comments. Here are some links to pictures of the bathroom prior to repair or grouting...

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/bulldozerkennels/gifs/PICT2049.JPG
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/bulldozerkennels/gifs/PICT2050.JPG
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/bulldozerkennels/gifs/PICT2051.JPG
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/bulldozerkennels/gifs/PICT2052.JPG
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/bulldozerkennels/gifs/PICT2053.JPG
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/bulldozerkennels/gifs/PICT2054.JPG
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/bulldozerkennels/gifs/PICT2057.JPG



I live in High Wycombe, Bucks if anyone knows a decent tiler, I would appreciate the contact details.

I wouldn't blame the tiler for the tiles. I purchased them. However, I would have expected anyone with half decent eyesight to notice the difference in colour post grouting. And notice the slanted tiles which he eventually replaced. He didn't notice the mosaics not aligning or being flat against the wall and many more problems as well. I think the pictures may show some of these. He did replace one wall and some tiles around the window that were sticking out, and re-did the mosaics at least twice. So I guess he has tried, but maybe not experienced or careful.

P.S. I will add the post grout pictures tomorrow.

[Dave]

My god!!!!!!!!!!!!...i'm lost for words after looking at those pics....

[whitebeam]

FFS ANOTHER NIGHTMARE..........
The bit behind the taps was that the plasterers fault, Just the shape of the wall

I'm losing the will to work

[monty]

Them tiles look like they have been up for years..

[whitebeam]

Them tiles look like they have been up for years..

I also thought that, They looked really old

[monty]

He's got nice cuts around the window i'll give him that..