Major Problem!!!

[jay]

click on go advanced then click on the attachment (paper clip at the top of the page) pics will need to be re sized

 

[Mike]

too slow jay :lol:

 

[CJ]

Do all the cracks follow the joints of the ply????

 

[jay]

too slow jay :lol:

Bugger

 

[Spud]

have you tried to repair it Ted ,I would lift the cracked tiles open up the joint between the ply wood with a circular saw fill it with Silicon then put 305mm strip of kerdi mat over the joint in the plywood stuck down with 2 part adhesive refix the tiles and instead of grout use a soft joint such as Silicon or polyeurathane

 

[jay]

Hate to say it but sounds as if the floor is not sound enough to tile way to much deflection

 

[Spud]

it doesnt sound like deflection to me it sounds like heaving, the tiles are well fixed if there was bounce in the floor the tiles would be coming up clean by now and all the grout would have cracked the fact the tile is cracking along the joint in the ply suggests heave in my experience but i am just guessing

 

[Spud]

Ted what have you offered to do about this for the customer and why are they considering legal action ?

 

[Tedd]

Don't think the customer want's it repairing as the report states a problem with the joists then it will just happen again. The joiner has said in the investigation that there was a 12-14mm deflection in the floor prior to tiling but this is well within BS according to him. We had to fill part of it with self levelling compound to give us a chance to get over it. I know for a fact that there was no movement joint between the ply, it was only primed by us prior to tiling with suitable acrylic primer.

I spoke to my local tile shop and he described the cracking perfectly before I had even finished telling him and on that occasion it ran along every joist and was the movement in the joint that cause this. The tiles have not budged that would suggest to me that they are stuck fast and it is the joist lowering that is pulling the tile down. I worked out that there wa 750kg on the suspended floor (12m2) then add the two sofas and two people and a child.

 

[Aston]

if it goes to court, then they will simply take the facts into consideration.
you word against his wont mean much unless theirs independant witness statements.

1. the substrate prep isn't to british standards.
2. the joiner did this part of the work, not you.
3. insufficient adhesive & 4mm tolerence is the tilers accountability
4. a structural engineer should have produced calculations to prove the joists could take the weight of the ply, tiles, adhesive and self levelling compound...this is down to the contractor because as you said, you are a tiler not an structural engineer.
5. the sds drills vibration could have caused vibration impact damage along a section of the tiles or the movement in the floor could have had the same result (an engineer could deduce whats caused the cracks)

just get as much info as possible together and be honest and stick to your version of accounts and thats all you can do.
definately get in touch with a solicitor asap because they will know the score on what appropriate action to take.

best of luck ;0)
ed

 

[Tedd]

He is not happy with everything and don't think replacing the cracked tiles is an option as the indepandant expert has advised the following:

All tiles to be removed to living and dinng room (£2500 of granite) floor to be pulled up by joiner.
Building contratcer to replace all joists
25mm Marine ply to be installed on joists
Retiled

Therefore the joiner gets away with buying several sheets of ply and laying them while I am left with a bill for over £3500 in tile adhesive and labour.

 

[Mike]

if the independant expert has said the substrate is the problem and you never prepared it i don't see how you'll be liable. i blame the joiner.

 

[Mike]

and i think you mean in post 24 12mm deviation not deflection. the floor should be deflection free.

 

[CJ]

You have to prepare yourself for a battle, as the joiner will be laying the blame soley with you...............

He never prepared the floor to BS standards in anyway, shape or form.

Who contracted you to do the work............Joiner or customer?

 

[Mike]

if it was your fault only the tiles would need to be lifted. they're admitting the substrate was at fault by replacing/strengthening it therfore the joiner (who prepared it) is at fault i.m.o.