Big format quartz tiles - help needed

[Iwona]

What should I do in this case then? I need to identify at which end a fault is and really appreciate your professional advices. I don't know this business at all and could do nothing without your opinions. Is there anyone else keen on giving a piece of advice? Pleeeeeaaase

 

[Stewart]

I would say the blame lies with the tiler for incorrect installation of floor tiles. The tiles have failed quicker in the hall due to the serious patching of the chipboard, which made this area even more unstable. The builder in my opinion isn't responsible for prepping the area to be tiled, this lies solely with the tiler. the tilers preparation has been completely inadequate and hasn't met any kind of specification that I'm aware of.

The timber floor should have been removed to allow for the correct preparation of floor. Then you could install a tile backer board (cement or insulation type) To raise the area to the correct height so it marries in with the remaining floors. Then i would instal Ditra matting, then tile. There are a couple of variations on this theme, but the main thing is the floor as it stood, should not have been tiled on and should have been removed.

Of course, this is just my opinion on how I would do the work.........

 

[The D]

sorry to read about your problems it sounds like a nightmare. IMO the builder is at fault fore incorrect installation of the sub-floor. the tiler is a fault for tiling on an unsuitable surface. if it were me i would be getting an independent building surveyor to have a look and then I'd be getting some legal advice.

 

[DHTiling]

What should I do in this case then? I need to identify at which end a fault is and really appreciate your professional advices. I don't know this business at all and could do nothing without your opinions. Is there anyone else keen on giving a piece of advice? Pleeeeeaaase

Firstly, Chipboard is NOT stable enough to tile directly too, it is a particle board and this cannot in time hold the tiles in place due to thermal expansion of the subfloor, hence tile can debond and grout crack.

Moisture is a killer with chipboard and especially with the none moisture resistant you installed there, So IMO your tiler should not have tiled directly to it , if he had any doubt about the subfloor then he should not have tiled it.

Do not let him pass the buck.. A tiler should know if the substrate is good enough and not blame the builder for poor prep etc..

 

[Olz]

Absolutley what Dave said, the builders didnt lay any floor finish, just the boards, the tiler should NOT have tiled over them, he should have told you the correct prep and then done it.

The fact that the tiles have stayed down in the kitchen is more luck that judgement and sighting the fact that 'it must be ok becuase they've stayed down' is ridiculous. Just becuse its wrong but hasnt failed doesnt mean its ok.

 

[jay]

got to ask why put chipboard over concrete

 

[DHTiling]

By the look of it jay it might be sound proofing..

 

[jay]

looks more like a recipe for disaster to me

 

[Iwona]

Thanks guys for all your advices. You've left me though wondering when the floor in my kitchen will deteriorate...
Jay, the chipboard and foam (in this case ICO PAL impact 18) was used for its soundproofing qualities - I guess.

 

[Iwona]

and yes, it has turned out to be a recipe for disaster 🙁 If I only knew....