Shower room mess

[rodneyjp]

I had a wetroom installed with natural limestone walls and floor. The tiles have been absorbing water and staining and two have cracked because light objects (an electric toothbrush) were dropped. Several tiles have been replaced because their were so badly stained. But the staining continues and I do not believe the cracking should happen. I doubt whether the tiles were sealed or embedded into adhesive properly. The tiler says he did everything properly. Where can I get independent advice?

 

[Andrew Case]

Where did you get the tiles from? Or did the tiler get them?
The manufacturer should be able to help.
Also, if you are able to, seeming as some will have to be replaced anyway, lift some tiles. On the back, is there adhesive across the whole of the tile? Any gaps in contact with the adhesive?

 

[Time's Ran Out]

:welcome: unfortunately not all stone is suitable for wet room installations and white limestone for instance can be like blotting paper and will accept moisture even after sealant saturation.
We did an Applestone bathroom a few years ago and the client painted the ceiling with a well known brand of bathroom paint ( it went on pink and dried white so you could see where it had been done) - well the steam made it turn back to pink and it produced runs down the tiled walls. It was caught early enough to be cleaned off the sealed tiles but still left a very faint blemish.
Although you have a staining problem, the cracking sounds like a fixing issue. I'd take it up with the tiler first, ask the supplier if they've had any call outs to this material and try to resolve it before getting into the expense of reports. But keep a log of all your communications for later use.
If you provide your location, administration here may be able to offer the services of a local tiler to give an opinion for a small charge or donation to charity.
Try to upload some pictures if you think it will help.
Good Luck.

 

[DHTiling]

Some pics would really help here..

 

[bugs183]

As above, some limestone isn't suitable for wet areas, and even with suitable limestone the sealing process is crucial.
To be honest it doesn't sound like the job has been done well as an electric toothbrush isn't a heavy object, it shouldn't be breaking you tiles.
We'll need some photos.

 

[rodneyjp]

Many thanks to all who responded with helpful advice. The situation has deteriorated with some tiles cracking and others moving underfoot, indicating they have not been embedded properly. I spoke to stone supplier who said cracking, movement and the fact a couple of tiles could be lifted without damaging the underfloor heating showed they had not been laid properly. We are having a couple of independent tilers look at it after holidays but hard to escape conclusion now that the whole floor will have to come up and be relaid. If anyone can recommend a good quality tiler in London SE area I would be very grateful. Afraid I can't figure out how to attach a photo, but may thanks for all your help. Cheers

 

[White Room]

Many thanks to all who responded with helpful advice. The situation has deteriorated with some tiles cracking and others moving underfoot, indicating they have not been embedded properly. I spoke to stone supplier who said cracking, movement and the fact a couple of tiles could be lifted without damaging the underfloor heating showed they had not been laid properly. We are having a couple of independent tilers look at it after holidays but hard to escape conclusion now that the whole floor will have to come up and be relaid. If anyone can recommend a good quality tiler in London SE area I would be very grateful. Afraid I can't figure out how to attach a photo, but may thanks for all your help. Cheers

You could try hear I'm Looking for a Wall and Floor Tiler - Tiles | Floor Tiles | Wall Tiles | Tilers Forum

 

[Dan]

Welcome aboard.

You can email the pictures to dan "at" untoldmedia.com if you like and I'll upload them for you (mention your username or something in the email so I know what's going on).

Hope you get things sorted.