Had bathroom refit two years ago, now tiles are cracking

[Foxtrot Oscar]

Hi guys

I found this forum via UK Plumbers while I was re-plumbing my shower pump (that's a slightly different story).

Two years ago, we paid *** Ltd. of Redditch several thousand pounds to have our bathroom refitted, i.e. they ripped out the old suite, re-plumbed everything and tiled. There were two builders, a plasterer, an electrician (though the pump was under the bath and connected to a normal socket in the airing cupboard, not sure how correct this is), and a tiler.

Quite a few bodges are slowly but surely coming to light and causing problems, one of which is that our shower pump let go but Grundfos wouldn't replace it as the installer a) hadn't kept the receipt and b) hadn't installed it according to the manufacturer's guidelines.

Anyway the latest is that the tiles have started cracking, quite badly in places, and I was hoping for your opinion on what the problem was and what steps I need to take to stop more cracking please?

Here are some pics:

Aside from the obvious cracks, there are several hairline cracks that are hard to make out from the photos, but that seem to run along the seams of the boards?

I've told the builders about the problem, he said he'd come round and take a look when he'd finished his current job. That was almost a month ago, so I don't hold out much help for any resolution from the builder.

Has he done this correctly and if not, what are my options (if any) for recourse after this period of time?

Many thanks for any advice!

 

[Foxtrot Oscar]

I think it's you that needs to get a life, calling for a thread to be closed just because you disagree with one of my options. Drama queen or what mate.

Besides I didn't day I was going to for sure, I just put it out there as an option. Anyway step one is get the builder round and listen to all his excuses, then I'll take it from there, bearing in mind jay and all his sensitivities.

 

[jay]

Foxtrot tell me what do you do for a living

 

[Foxtrot Oscar]

You'll probably laugh.

Accountant. All my money is going into my mortgage before the rates rise again, it's more that I don't feel I should have to pay for the job to be done again when I've already paid once only two years ago.

Is it not possible that replacing the cracked tiles will solve the problem, as the chipboard might have undergone its movement and settled down now? If I replace them now and they crack before I move house in the next two years, then I can get it done properly before I leave.

 

[jay]

yes i did laugh
you will find your chipboard is knackered and lost some of its strength
so a quick fix is just that

 

[Foxtrot Oscar]

Gonna get on the blower to the home insurance people and see where I stand with them. I'm going to do my best not to pay for this mess, even if it means take 'em to a small claims court.

 

[Brinkley]

btw the reason for priming ply to the back and edges is to help stop water ingress

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Whilst it is unfortunate that you feel you have been diddled Foxtrot Oscar, the lads on here try their hardest to provide the best advice from the specialist knowledge they have acquired over the years of participating in their trade and by sharing and gaining knowledge with other tradespeople and manufacturers/experts. It will not sit well with the members here that you are considering fixing your tiling issues temporarily until you sell your house. Whilst we understand that money is tight for everybody right now, we do advocate on here that you attempt to repair the poor workmanship correctly. You could even use this as a selling point when you come to sell your house.

We cannot however tell you what to do, we can merely advise to the best of our abilities over an internet forum and hope that you understand the advice that is being given is being given genuinely and honestly.

I am now going to close this thread as I do not wish this to become a personal slanging match between anybody. I would also like to remind all members to review the forum rules regarding conduct whilst a member of this forum.

Thanks
GRR