HELP: Cockup

[Lawrence147]

Hi Guys

I am in a bit of a quandery and may be being too honest, but need help here if you are offering. Am tiling a bathroom and galley kitchen of an ex council flat. I've reached the window at the end of the kitchen, which is set into the wall by about 60cm before you reach the window itself.

Have tiled the right side and top of this alcove area with no probs - grout lines straight and true, tiled under the sill - no probs there. Tiling the left side I did'nt take into account where the grout lines would meet at the top so when I reached the top there's a 5cm difference in the vertical lines (the horizontal ones are fine and I've added trim and started to tile the rest of the main wall).

The only place the grout lines don't meet on this left wall of the alcove is the top - 4 tiles worth - as the alcove is from floor to 6 inches below the ceiling.

Since I am fairly new to the game, there's 75 tiles up incorrectly through my inexperience. I am gutted as I'm tired, trying to do this part time while I build confidence, contacts and wait for the economy to bounce back, but the wife thinks I should leave them up and put it down to experience.

A bit of background: The customer is a neighbour but is a single mother with loads on her plate who wouldn't notice this. She's who has bought the place doesn't live there anymore.

My goal IS to become a good professional tiler - it's just that the learning curve can be painful at times, so if you tell me to rip it all out again, I won't be happy but out it'll come.

Many thanks for the support and advice in advance.

[hillhead]

sounds bad lawrence.your right cant the learning.it takes an honest being to admit when they are wrong.are they expensive tiles? Personally without seeing the job id take em down and replace in correct position.but you'll prob take all into account there and do what all concerned wants.id rather leave a job with all happy even if it costs you but your reputation is worth more.

[Lawrence147]

Hillhead - you probably right.

I think I'm just delaying the inevitable. Also the job has taken too long (just under 3 months) and not all tiling - some plumbing, pb'ing and decorating as well.

Here are some pics of the job so far

Flat 2-2 Well Street 08 09 pictures by lawrence147 - Photobucket

The problem is on the third pic left hand side.

Lawrence

[chris.tiling]

Have to agree with Joe... Take them down and re fit them. You say she may not notice, but she might and then your reputation is in the toilet before you start a tiling career. Be honest with her rather than hoping it won't matter. Good luck

[tileexperts]

yes i agree too mate. take them down and start again. you have already learned your mistake so your half way there. i have made this mistake too wen i started.
do it again mate, you will feel better in yourself knowing you have done the job right and you wont be worring about it wen you go home.

wish you the best of luck
and fair play for admitting your mistake

[Lawrence147]

Thanks guys - I needed support and opinions on this you didn't disappoint.

I'll be taking the white tiles down and starting again, shouldn't take more than a couple of hours anyway, and they weren't expensive, Hillhead. In fact I think I've got enough anyway through lack of breakages and using tiles efficiently.

I'm sure I'll get more responses but so far, Cheers again guys

[Dave]

So you must have jus started off the worktop without levelling across then...

Best way is to learn by the mistake and just re-do it...coz you will know it is there and it will haunt you..

[obobsmith]

Right thing to do mate she might not notice and be happy, but someone she recommends you to might and you won't get the job good luck and keep on keeping on

[beanz]

I had a similar problem with my first bathroom, i hadn't noticed that the tiles were coming out different sizes and the whole thing got thrown out around the window. Luckily for me it wasn't as severe as yours, so i managed to jiggle everything about enough that the customer didn't notice it, still wasn't right though...

5cm out is quite a lot, don't think you'll get away with that to be honest. I'm with the rest, strip em off and re-do. A bit of a pain, but worth it in the long run. Hope the rest goes well for ya mate.

[Daveyboy]

Well done for making the right choice Lawrence..we're proud of you and it shows you have the right attitude to be a good and respected tiler...

[dagger]

Lawrence, are you in E.9?

[steve mason]

Ive been tiling full time for over a year now and i did the same in a bathroom, just didnt have my levels right. Must admit i felt better after ripping them off and doing it right, havent done it again!

[Hawkofeagles]

Sorry guys, I have been studing the images Lawrence has uploade and still I fail to see where the problem is. Could someone please make it clear for me as I'm still learning and want to see what the problem is so I can avoid this issue.

Lawrence says it the third pic left wall but there are no tiles on the pic I see??

[david campbell]

well done for noticing and correcting your mistake m8! as the others say if she did notice you probably wouldn't get any more jobs in your street after word got around,maybe worth investing in a laser level(it will stop thes things happening in future) and if you need any help with setting out jobs or advice you can pm and i'll come down and help or give you a few pointers as i'm only up in east kilbride

[rsl tiling]

Hi Lawrence as david says invest in a laser level, i wouldn't be without one

[Lawrence147]

Hi guys

I've taken the tiles back down - it only took 1/2 hour and a dirty great scraper. Luckily I'm using Bal tubbed addy so no damage to the wall behind. Be retiling tomorrow following the lines at the top of the wall.

Dave - the horizontal lines are perfect as I have a border up and that is level accross the window. The vertical lines were out and the only place point of reference was at the top - as the window joined the wall on the outer side and trim on the inner side of this wall.

Hawk - I was just showing where the wall was situated in the room.

Daggers - E.9?? PM me

David - will pm you

Finally, a Stabila laser level is on the shopping list

Thanks very much for your help everyone, I feel better knowing the job will be done right.
Another lesson learned

[LM Ceramics]

well done for ripping them off and i bet you wont do it again you will feel miles better starting again and hopefully a recommendation may come with it