Natural stone floor thread in the public forum

[Dan]

Is this ok? Natural stone floor not level after tiling - http://www.tilersforums.com/threads/is-this-ok-natural-stone-floor-not-level-after-tiling.81098/

Just want to explain where I'm coming from about this thread whilst not actually winding the thread up. So I thought I'd post it in here.

I haven't read the whole thread fully. Just scanned over it.

But the title of the thread is it's uneven. Then as time has moved on, it's more to do with the colouring. As it's apparent it's not the tiler then, they're getting a fired-earth rep in.

The guy doesn't want to pay the tiler to replace the darker sheets, I assume as he feels he shouldn't have to, but IMO it's not the shop or the tilers fault.

That's all I'm saying.

It feels to me like the moment one of us say it's down to the shop or the tiler, he'll print that off and use it to wriggle out of what I think is his own fault to be fair.

It's a natural product. End of. Check the actual tiles being fitted. Like you would with any slate or marble or whatever. In his position, I'd have just mixed up some of the hexagons from the dark sheets to the light, especially around the edge of the sheets, so it's not so obvious.

@pjc

I still owe the tiler a third of the money. He feels he is being criticised because of Fired Earth's lack of help with this, and that he should be paid all of his money. I asked him to come back and improve the floor. He has offered to cut out the darker sheets and put the unused sheets in but offers no guarantees it would be better

This is where I got the suggestion from of him holding money back. Naughty IMO.

My spidey senses are tingling. That's all.

I think ATS sensed it too by the sounds of his posts about paying the tiler to replace the dark tiles (rather than withholding payment until he does?) - That's what I got from that.

The guys bought natural tiles. If he wanted to guarantee the colour, he really needed to check the bloody things before they were fixed.

I also think there's some of this going on too....



The fact he's placing tiles with "black" around them where there isn't grout, on top of tiles with a lighter grout that has been fitted, is making the tiles look different shades.

But like in this illusion, they may actually be the same shade and when they're replaced and grouted, just look exactly the same.

I'm just not buying it. He's after witholding payment from either the tiler, or wants fired earth to replace at their cost, either way, he's spent £700 on tiles and moaning about paying for a couple of hours to replace them?

On yer bike IMO.

 

[WetSaw]

Im not and wouldn't take out my frustration on the tiler by not paying him.

I am unhappy with Fired Earth's attitude though but have not had any joy with them, either in their tech dept or customer services. Even so if it was down to them I would not punish the tiler. I haven't actually said that I won't be paying him in full.

I'm not trying to pick a fight Dan! Obviously the thread moved on from the floor not being flat to more about the general finish. I think the consensus is that the floor wasn't clean before being sealed. This has lead to it looking rough. The huge colour variations should have been noticed by the tiler and, as you say, adjustments made to mitigate that if there was such a noticeable difference before being sealed.

 

[Bill]

I agree Dan, shading in a dark room that has reflecting walls is always a problem for the human eye.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Originally he was concerned about the levels. It was from comments made by members about the grout and uneven shading that the thread moved on. He may be waiting for the information to pursue a claim as you suggest from tiler or supplier, but it seems to be going around in a circle at present.
As happens in our industry, being a finishing trade, we are expected to leave everything perfect. However, materials provided often don't allow for the engineer in us all to flourish!
Reading the later posts - you certainly know how to get a reaction!

 

[hmtiling]

Is this ok? Natural stone floor not level after tiling - http://www.tilersforums.com/threads/is-this-ok-natural-stone-floor-not-level-after-tiling.81098/

Just want to explain where I'm coming from about this thread whilst not actually winding the thread up. So I thought I'd post it in here.

I haven't read the whole thread fully. Just scanned over it.

But the title of the thread is it's uneven. Then as time has moved on, it's more to do with the colouring. As it's apparent it's not the tiler then, they're getting a fired-earth rep in.

The guy doesn't want to pay the tiler to replace the darker sheets, I assume as he feels he shouldn't have to, but IMO it's not the shop or the tilers fault.

That's all I'm saying.

It feels to me like the moment one of us say it's down to the shop or the tiler, he'll print that off and use it to wriggle out of what I think is his own fault to be fair.
Agreed!
It's a natural product. End of. Check the actual tiles being fitted. Like you would with any slate or marble or whatever. In his position, I'd have just mixed up some of the hexagons from the dark sheets to the light, especially around the edge of the sheets, so it's not so obvious.

@pjc

This is where I got the suggestion from of him holding money back. Naughty IMO.

My spidey senses are tingling. That's all.

I think ATS sensed it too by the sounds of his posts about paying the tiler to replace the dark tiles (rather than withholding payment until he does?) - That's what I got from that.

The guys bought natural tiles. If he wanted to guarantee the colour, he really needed to check the bloody things before they were fixed.

I also think there's some of this going on too....

View attachment 85724 View attachment 85725

The fact he's placing tiles with "black" around them where there isn't grout, on top of tiles with a lighter grout that has been fitted, is making the tiles look different shades.

But like in this illusion, they may actually be the same shade and when they're replaced and grouted, just look exactly the same.

I'm just not buying it. He's after witholding payment from either the tiler, or wants fired earth to replace at their cost, either way, he's spent £700 on tiles and moaning about paying for a couple of hours to replace them?

On yer bike IMO.

 

[Tile Shop]

My head is still trying to process the above picture. But it is a very good way of looking at it.

 

[Bill]

Not just this thread but nearly all the threads that are started by customers complaining, far too many tilers slag of the job without knowing the full facts. I feel, as a community, the tilers should have some back up before they are pounced upon by saying it is dreadful (we are not talking about the 'general builders mate who can tile' tilers)

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Not just this thread but nearly all the threads that are started by customers complaining, far too many tilers slag of the job without knowing the full facts. I feel, as a community, the tilers should have some back up before they are pounced upon by saying it is dreadful (we are not talking about the 'general builders mate who can tile' tilers

I agree as we don't get all the information till it's dragged from the customer.
However most of the jobs shown are disgraceful and we have to protect our trade from these 'tilers'.
Of late there have been a couple of threads highlighting those customers who will never be happy and the old tiler possibly needs a bit of support.

 

[Concrete guy]

I see it this way.

The customer has bought marble tiles from a small sample ordered over the phone. Clearly hasn't unpacked or looked through what's arrived and has left the tiler to get on with it. The tiler has fitted what he's been given.

A couple of things spring to mind on this thread.

The job doesn't look badly done, the "untidy" grouting looks more to do with rough cut marble edges than bad grouting.
The grubby nature of the grout could be after a plumber has been in and fitted the sanitaryware. Much of the grubbyness looks like dust from drilling to me.

Is it reasonable for the tiler to assume that the marble mosaics supplied by the customer have been checked and approved?

Is it reasonable for the customer to assume that the tiler should know what the customer has in mind when it comes to the appearance of the floor? Should the tiler then start pulling different shades of mosaic sheet from the supplied tiles on the basis the customer might not like them?

Lack of communication, that's what this whole problem comes down to. Too many assumptions and lack of people actually talking to each other.

Like Dan I get a bit irked when the finger is pointed at the tiler form the word go.

The reality is that assumption is the mother of all **** ups.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

My reply went into Toms !!