R
redrex
Hi everyone,
Well, started at last my regrout and seal of the travertine shower area floor....3 things I learned very quickly, grout removal? DONT DO IT!! and don't forget your knee pads! and travertine IS very, very soft.
Joking aside, I and the customer are in a bit of a quandry, it seems very clear to me that the original work really wasn't completed very well (done 3 years ago), in summary the following problems are apparent....
1.Tile lipping that catches your toe as you walk over the tiles
2.Definately damp under the tiles.
3.Grout in many places only 2-3mm thick and just pushed through when raking.(10mm travertine tiles)
4.Walls move fairly easily when pushed against.
5.At least one of the tiles makes the sub floor move if you rock on it.
6.Floor tiles have not been fixed under the wall tiles at the joints therefore water runs down the wall straight to the sub floor if the sealant/grout isn't secure.
7. An underfloor heating cable is not where it should be.
8. I have looked but I just can't find a fused spur for the above-nor can the customer.
9. I really can not see any evidence of a tanking membrane, customer knows that a Wedi pre formed tray was fitted but I explained that this was mainly to get the falls to the drain ( I think I am correct on this?)
10.My knees hurt !
So having removed most of the grout, I have suggested that the only real solution is to rip up the floor and start again with a properly reinforced sub floor, tanking etc. Problem is that this is going to cost. Or as a short term fix, continue with what I am doing and use BAL admix to the grout (microcolour wide joint) absolutely packed in as much as I can and seal correctly. I have explained that this is only going to be a short term answer in particular as the shower puts out so much water that it would give the film FLOOD a run for its money. Question is...if I do an absolutely bang on job with the grouting/sealing, do I have a chance or should I get the customer to bite the bullet?
Thanks as always..
redrex
Well, started at last my regrout and seal of the travertine shower area floor....3 things I learned very quickly, grout removal? DONT DO IT!! and don't forget your knee pads! and travertine IS very, very soft.
Joking aside, I and the customer are in a bit of a quandry, it seems very clear to me that the original work really wasn't completed very well (done 3 years ago), in summary the following problems are apparent....
1.Tile lipping that catches your toe as you walk over the tiles
2.Definately damp under the tiles.
3.Grout in many places only 2-3mm thick and just pushed through when raking.(10mm travertine tiles)
4.Walls move fairly easily when pushed against.
5.At least one of the tiles makes the sub floor move if you rock on it.
6.Floor tiles have not been fixed under the wall tiles at the joints therefore water runs down the wall straight to the sub floor if the sealant/grout isn't secure.
7. An underfloor heating cable is not where it should be.
8. I have looked but I just can't find a fused spur for the above-nor can the customer.
9. I really can not see any evidence of a tanking membrane, customer knows that a Wedi pre formed tray was fitted but I explained that this was mainly to get the falls to the drain ( I think I am correct on this?)
10.My knees hurt !
So having removed most of the grout, I have suggested that the only real solution is to rip up the floor and start again with a properly reinforced sub floor, tanking etc. Problem is that this is going to cost. Or as a short term fix, continue with what I am doing and use BAL admix to the grout (microcolour wide joint) absolutely packed in as much as I can and seal correctly. I have explained that this is only going to be a short term answer in particular as the shower puts out so much water that it would give the film FLOOD a run for its money. Question is...if I do an absolutely bang on job with the grouting/sealing, do I have a chance or should I get the customer to bite the bullet?
Thanks as always..
redrex