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]

Originally Posted by 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)!

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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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]

Originally Posted by Drew Peacock

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]

Originally Posted by bal

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