Homebase tiles, this can't be right!

[Bathfix Bob]

I've been fitting & tiling bathrooms for about 3 years now and in that time there have been at least two bathrooms with tiles from Homebase.

The tile sizes seem to drift up and down like mad, I've had no choice today but to take a thin slither off at least half the tiles I fixed.

Take them back I hear you ask?

I have done, all they have are dregs. These tiles are now discontinued, I did the bathroom 2 years ago but she only wanted 3 walls tiling, now she asked me to tile the remaining one and I was lucky to get the tiles in time before the last were sold.

Batch numbers are probably shot to hell, but its seems every time I use Homebase tiles I get this problem.

Even tiles out of the same box had a few different size ones, only 1mm ish but enough to knock everything out of kilter.

[mikethetile]

calibration is a real problem with tiles, hence the use of wedges instead of spacers

the old pilks were a nightmare

[andy allen]

try using spacer pegs or wedges instead or crosses.......you can ajust the tiles more easier to keep them inline.

all cheapy tiles from the sheds are the same im affraid to say.

[timeless john]

Who makes the biscuit?
Candy used to be notorious.
Still if it was easy they'd do it themselves!

[david campbell]

most cheap tiles are like this nowadays,as above use wedges

[Mike]

i did a kitchen splash back a couple of weeks ago with homebase tiles , turkish tiles, 100 x 100 and they were the same. pain in the butt!

[Bri]

I wondered when this subject would come up! I did a bathroom middle of last year and as mentioned above found that tiles even from the same box were 2mm difference and when using 2mm spacers this did become an issue! Try not to fit hombase tiles now if I can help it but if I do just add an extra day labour to the quote as I know 100% there will be calibration issues

[Bathfix Bob]

Unfortunatly for Homebase, every bathroom I do from now on and they're asking me where to get tiles from I shall have to tell them to give Homebase a wide birth.

This wall I've just finished is fine but not to my usual standard.

[timeless john]

Unfortunatly for Homebase, every bathroom I do from now on and they're asking me where to get tiles from I shall have to tell them to give Homebase a wide birth.

This wall I've just finished is fine but not to my usual standard.

Bob - the bathroom is to your usual standard - its just the tiles that are not!
I've fixed expensive handmade tiles for years which are 'rustic' and its a look the people are after.
I've fixed cheap tiles from everwhere and its our job to make them look good.
You do the best job you can with the best materials available and fix the tiles that the customer likes.
Sometimes this job is a JOB and we have to pay the bills.

[Bathfix Bob]

I think I will have to get some wedges.

Does anyone know a decent online retailer who sells tiling tools and equipment as I'm after a new wet wheel cutter and notched spreader aswell.

You guys will laugh but I'm still using a cheap B&Q plastic trowel.

[timeless john]

Tradetiler is a forum sponsor and has some good deals.

[Bathfix Bob]

Tradetiler is a forum sponsor and has some good deals.

Thanks for that John, it seems a very good site.

Full of tiling goodies, I'll get some ordered.

[tfs]

This is very common in cheaper tiles (I guess you get what you pay for)

For this reason I keep well clear of anything made by Brittish Ceramic, their bumpy white range are a nightmare to work with especialy if your working to a 2mm groutline.

Tolerances


Current British & European Standards for ceramic tiles define tolerances for dimensions of tiles. These vary depending on tile type and size as shown below:
Tolerance for porcelain tile
(BIa) or vitrified tile (BI)Tolerance for glazed tile
porous body (BIII) (non-lug)10x10 cm tile 1mm0.75mm20x20 cm tile 1.5mm1 mm30x30 cm tile 1.8mm1.5mm

Tolerances are also defined for centre curvature of tiles. These too vary depending on the type and size of tile.
Tolerance for porcelain tile
(BIa) or vitrified tile (BI)Tolerance for glazed tile
porous body (BIII) (non-lug)10x10 cm tile .70 mm to -.70 mm.70 mm to -.42 mm20x20 cm tile 1.40 mm to -1.40 mm1.40 mm to -.85 mm30x30 cm tile2.12 mm to -2.12 mm2.12 mm to –1.27 mm
(Negative curvature values indicate concave tiles)
The tolerances for tile fixing set down within British Standard BS5385 for tile fixing are demanding and as a result of the differences in manufacturing and fixing tolerances, special consideration has to be given to fixing vitrified tiles to walls.

[coojert]

BUYER BEWARE!!
Hi, I would just like to add that I recently brought from Homebase about 10 sq mtrs of wall tiles for a bathroom I am renovating and after grouting these I noticed that there was a glazing issue i.e all the tiles had varying degrees of glaze or in some case none at all!

I had ensured prior to purchase that all the tiles were from the same batch!

I contaced my local Homebase store where the tiles were purchased and they have basically fobbed me off to Customer Relations as my compensation claim will be more than £30.

Having supplied photos, packing and my receipt to the local store, Customer Relations are now asking me to send all this information again via Royal Mail

Has anyone else come across this problem before and if so what advice can you give me

Thanks in advance