What a day

**groucho** · 02-09-2008

Hi all well apart from using black grout on white tiles today ( Tiling logistics suggested mapei black which was a lot better than the new granfix i can tell you ) After grouting I noticed hair line cracks in surface of about 4 tiles. The black grout shows the defect . Couldn't even notice it before. I even cut the tiles and nothing happened to them. Unbelievable then I slipped into the toilet after putting silicone round it and screwed that up. I tried to scrape the silicone off I managed to somehow with my stanley scratch the surface of that tile with the cover. Controlling my temper I had to tell the customer about hair line cracks. Said I would replace them. But thinking about it one tile is under the radiator the other is in the corner under the sink. the other two are on the tiled skirting. Is think there will be no direct pressure on these tiles at all. So was thinking of trying Lithofin multi cleaner or something stronger to get the grout out of the cracks. would this work? or is it smash and replace.

**davy_G** · 02-09-2008

I suppose it depends on how noticable they are. Seeing you said you would replace them they need sorted one way or another. Try white grout over the black, polish up and see.

I used black grout today as well, effin terrible stuff, it was wide joint rubbish the client got from tilemarket I was using on 3mm wall joints. Not a nice afternoon!

TilingLogistics · 02-09-2008

Originally Posted by groucho

Hi all well apart from using black grout on white tiles today ( Tiling logistics suggested mapei black which was a lot better than the new granfix i can tell you ) After grouting I noticed hair line cracks in surface of about 4 tiles. The black grout shows the defect . Couldn't even notice it before. I even cut the tiles and nothing happened to them. Unbelievable then I slipped into the toilet after putting silicone round it and screwed that up. I tried to scrape the silicone off I managed to somehow with my stanley scratch the surface of that tile with the cover. Controlling my temper I had to tell the customer about hair line cracks. Said I would replace them. But thinking about it one tile is under the radiator the other is in the corner under the sink. the other two are on the tiled skirting. Is think there will be no direct pressure on these tiles at all. So was thinking of trying Lithofin multi cleaner or something stronger to get the grout out of the cracks. would this work? or is it smash and replace.

My advice you have told the customer! whip em off and change them! Have you got a Fein Machine?

Kev

Kev

**pjc** · 02-09-2008

grouted 200 mts with black grout today well not me my guys i found quite easy lol a special order from Germany nano technology brilliant stuff :Pete

**Dave** · 02-09-2008

You know the faulty tiles are there , so do a professional job and replace them...

Don't try and hide them is my advice, then you know the job is right...

**Oli** · 02-09-2008

Now you've pointed it out to the customer (right and honest thing to do IMO), then i'd see if the customer is happy with a fix instead of a replacement, if they can be fixed.

If not then just replace them. Either way as long as it's sorted im sure the customer will be happy and you'll leave reputation in tact and customer happy.

**MICK the Tiler** · 02-09-2008

Get them out get them back in grout, job done. In the future wait until the client mentions something, don't jump the gun and give yourself up.

**groucho** · 03-09-2008

thanks for the advice guys. I went back to the tile shop and they just happened to mention that the pallet fell they replaced most of them. But I guess they wouldnt of seen the damage inside the box. But dear old tradesman gets it up the a*** again and has too do a half day for nowt. thats the game were in I guess. Decided to replace them like dave said. The customer didnt expect cracked tiles after all.