Hi to all,

[smartv11]

my builder has tiled my floor and has left lips between tiles that stops a 2p from sliding across. I don't think this is acceptable? what tolerance on level between tiles is acceptable

thanks

Smartv11

 

[Deleted member 9966]

as far as I am concerned, no tolerance about lippage of tiles is acceptable. if you've paid someone to tile your floor and you want it flat and smooth, then your fixer should be providing that level of quality. did your builder not want to appoint an accomplished tiler to do this job?

 

[smartv11]

Wow, such a quick reply! and thanks
I was very careful to say a builder layed the tiles and not a tiler. He has done a good job of our kitchen up to this. we had the kitchen / dining wall removed to form kitchen diner of 30m2 and chose a 3 tile pattern (45X45, 30x30, 15X15),the floor was leveled, on one side.
Yes I agree no lips, what should we do.??? the builder 'left' the this morning as he said its acceptable and we said not. is their a tiling abitrator, 3rd party we can use to resolve
- I'm in Kent

 

[Del W]

Hello. British standard,joints of 5mm or less,upto 1mm.
Joints over 5mm, upto 2mm.
If the above is not correct im sure someone will post more details.

 

[smartv11]

Hello. British standard,joints of 5mm or less,upto 1mm.
Joints over 5mm, upto 2mm.
If the above is not correct im sure someone will post more details.

we have joints of 3mm and it stops a coin sliding acoss, so lip is greater than 1mm. thanks

 

[Del W]

Are you near Canterbury?

 

[smartv11]

Gravesend...

 

[Deleted member 9966]

If Del is correct with his British Standards for lippage tolerances (I am not a pro tiler so cannot comment and would seek pro tilers confirmation on this) then you need to let us know how wide the grout joints on the floor are. The minimum grout width for a floor is 3mm.

If you're unhappy with the work, you need to try and resolve this with your builder by giving him the chance to address your concerns and rectify the situation. If your builder won't return to address your concerns, you need to put your concerns in writing to him. There is an independent body, TTA, who can independently assess the work that has been done by way of an inspection and report, but you're looking at a cost of around £700 for this. Alternatively, you could source a tiler who is unconnected with the job to come and assess your concerns and provide a report directly without having to involve the TTA and this could be done for a fee you agree directly with the tiler.

If you are unhappy with the work done and would like a second opinion as to whether your concerns should be taken seriously, this forum has a number of professional tilers based in Kent who may be able to give the job a look over with you.

 

[smartv11]

Ouch - £700 !!

thanks for advice.

 

[smartv11]

Tile lip - understanding British Standards

I've found this BS - is it the right one? as it suggest that a 3mm lip is acceptable between adjacent tiles is ok, as long as it slids beneath a 2m straight edge on 3mm feet therefore tiles layed like this ________-----------------------____________--------------------, could be ok???

British Standard 5385 states that

The surface should be true such that, when checked with a 2 m straightedge with 3 mm thick feet at each end, the straightedge should not be obstructed by the tiles and no gap should be greater than 6 mm. I.e. a tolerance of + 3 mm.

Thanks Smartv11

 

[smartv11]

If Del is correct with his British Standards for lippage tolerances (I am not a pro tiler so cannot comment and would seek pro tilers confirmation on this) then you need to let us know how wide the grout joints on the floor are. The minimum grout width for a floor is 3mm.

If you're unhappy with the work, you need to try and resolve this with your builder by giving him the chance to address your concerns and rectify the situation. If your builder won't return to address your concerns, you need to put your concerns in writing to him. There is an independent body, TTA, who can independently assess the work that has been done by way of an inspection and report, but you're looking at a cost of around £700 for this. Alternatively, you could source a tiler who is unconnected with the job to come and assess your concerns and provide a report directly without having to involve the TTA and this could be done for a fee you agree directly with the tiler.

If you are unhappy with the work done and would like a second opinion as to whether your concerns should be taken seriously, this forum has a number of professional tilers based in Kent who may be able to give the job a look over with you.

Girlracer, could you please send the BS clause in full, as I've found BS5385, which offers different advice

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Hi

I don't have the British Standards for tiling as I'm not a professional, as I've stated before. If you can wait a while longer, various members of this forum will start contributing with their thoughts on the subject.

Photographs of the lippage will certainly help, so if you can take some photo's and upload them to the thread, the members will be able to comment on what you can see now the job is finished.

Thanks

 

[smartv11]

Thanks Girl racer, I re-read you post and realised my mistake.

I hope you appreciate my angst, as this is proving very upsetting for my wife and I, just hoping to get some solid advice

I found through the forum this:

BS5385 part 1 section 4.1.8.2

"There should be no appreciable differential in level across joints and the maximum deviation between surfaces across joints, including movement joints, should be as follows

1. Joints less than 6mm wide - 1mm deviation
2. Joints 6mm and over - 2mm deviation

This is mirrored in Part 3 of the standard - section 7.1.4"

Which is excellent for my concerns. If anyone can confirm this BS is still correct!!

Smartv11

 

[DHTiling]

Your post above is correct.. Are the tile a square cut edge, this could be why you see the lippage more..

As mentioned above if you are nit happy then IMO for a report that will stand up in court if you wish to pursue or the builder wished to pursue you for payment then the TTA is the way to go...

If he has worked within BS5385 then he has a right be be paid in full... we cannot offer legal advice either as we are not qualified to do that, so again use the TTA ( The Tile Association) to resolve this. [email protected]

 

[smartv11]

Thanks for reply

Yes square edge

in my ongoing search for answers! the above part 1, I beleive is for wall tile and part 3 is for floor tiles, unfortuneatley this suggests very generous tolerance of +,- 3mm for adjacent floor tiles and thus allows poor tiling to be tolerated.

Smartv11

 

[DHTiling]

Only poor if tiled poor 🙂 but tolerances have to be there to allow for planetary effect on some tiles.

All we can advise is you contact said tiling body.. you could post some pics and we might be able to tell from them if we as pro's think it is acceptable..

 

[Ian]

Welcome along to the forum. Some good advice previously, hope you get your floor sorted.

 

[smartv11]

thanks - just looking for a new tiler in North Kent now, if anyones intereseted.

I still have the cloakroom to tile (floor and walls) as well as the remedial work to kitchen floor, luckily its not been grouted so makes life a bit easier.

anyone out there?

 

[Deleted member 9966]

hi smartv

you can post your wanted ad here
I'm Looking for a Wall and Floor Tiler