Hi again, and thanks again for the input.
I will try to address comments en masse.
Is it true to say that the work done was not carried out as per our expectaions - abolsutely! but not in the way you think!
The 3 main tasks outlined in the contract were: level concrete floor (with screed); install electrical underfloor heating (including insulation mats); tile (large rectangular porcelain tiles, brickwork effect). We supplied all the materials except the grout and adhesive. The reason we wanted the floor tiled was that we were having a new kitchen installed; therefore we were expecting to have a nice, level, tiled floor in time for the kitchen installation.
We really think the fundamental issue is that the floor was never levelled properly (this is highlighted now that the tiles are on it). It really doesn't take an expert to see how uneven the floor really is.
So that's issue 1: issue 2 is the fact that an adhesive for ceramic tiles was used that we believe is not the correct one. I contacted the manufacturer, and they provided confirmation that this adhesive was a) not suitable for porcelain tiles, and b) not suitable for use with underfloor heating.
The third issue is just the general
standard of the tiling: tiles are uneven - very difficult to explain in writing..not only is the floor not level, but the tiles are not level either (perhaps uneven amounts of adhesive were spread under the tiles or something..?); 3 tiles have already broken;and a few more are loose. The grout between the tiles is flaking away is lots of section of the floor, and the grout is as thin as a hairline in some places probably close to half a cm or more in others - extremely inconsistent.
For some reason or another essentially there is a issue with every tile on the floor (room is about 30m2). The tiler agreed to "lift and replace" whatever tiles we were unhappy with. Bearing in mind that the underfloor heating coils are encased in the adhesive, I'm not sure that would be even possible; but when we said that virtually every tile would need to be replaced, he said that he would not do that. We left it for a few days (during which time we found out that the adhesive does not appear to have been "fit for purpose") and we approached him again and asked if he had reconsidered and was a willing to start from scratch (bearing in mind that I still feel the fundamental problem is that the floor may not have been levelled properly). Again he said that he would not replace whichever tiles we said were not satisfactory, but he would not be willing to redo it all. Next, so we sent him a letter according to the Supply of goods and services act, 1982, outlining what is advised by trading standards; he did not acknowledge the letter.
It's very frustrating; not only had we paid this professional almost all of the money, but there's a chance that the underfloor heating. insulation mats, and tiles will all have to replaced.
When we take the matter further, I realize the imoprtance of having an independent expert report carried out, but have checked with the Tiling Association , and it would cost approx GBP 800...which is more money that we might be just flushing away. Do any you you have any experience with the tiling association, or ever heard of other ways to obtain an independent report?
At this point we're just deciding how we should proceed....it's a real pity as whatever remedial work we will have done now will have to be done around the kitchen units, which is very frustrating as we had timed all this so that the floor would be acceptable in time for the kitchen installation.
I don't want to post photos as I don't want to jeopardize anything that may happen down the line; but again, I would greatly value any further input you may have,
Ainhoa
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