Standing my ground and following the codes...Am i in the wrong?

[Brian the Tile]

N

Hi folks,
I turned up to start the job and began ripping up the existing quarry tiles to find the concrete bed of the steps hanging in about 2 inch of water, with pitholes in the bed about 4 inch deep - full of water! It rained the whole time i was there lifting the existing tiles.
Told the customer that this is not good for tiling - suggested we get the excess water off, allow the bed to dry out and begin prepping the surface - as in filling and levelling the bed, and shuttering the tread and rises to the same depth. This work was intermittent based on the weather, i.e is was leathering down most of the time i and didnt want to drop concrete or leveller under such conditions. All this time, i covered the bed and steps down with tarp to protect it from the rain as best i could.Anyway i managed to get in and complete about 75% of the work.
it was agreed that i would fit him in depending on the weather. Each time i book him in it has lashed down.
I wont fix the tiles when its pissing down, and i wont grout the existing fixed tiles either when they are saturated! The customer has removed the tarp saying its the worst thing i could do to cover them up?
I always work to standard, and what i have been taught and learnt by my mistakes.
I have explained my reluctance to finish off the tiles or grout due to the potential issues of trapped water under the tiles, and discolouration and patchy grout, and efflorescence due to the standing water. Am i in the wrong for standing by what i believe to be basic principals of tiling and working to the standards, and should i just crack on with the job regardless?

sorry for the long post but i would be interested to hear what you have to say.

Oh and the customer refused to allow me to erect a canopy over the area to aid in drying and fixing the tiles because they didnt want the house to look like the clampetts house!!

 

[Brian the Tile]

No your not wrong at all unless you invest in a snorkel and flippers ,think about what the customer might say when it all went pear shaped

 

[Flintstone]

Your totally right in what your saying to the customer. I wouldn't have taken it on at this time of year but that's up to you.

 

[slythetiler]

I have fixed tiles underwater in swimming pools so I say you do not understand which materials to use to help overcome the situation.

what is the appropriate adhesive that i can use to tile outside in wet conditions? Also, do ardex manufacture a grout specifically for use in inclement weather for grout lines full of water?

 

[slythetiler]

I learnt this lesson a long time ago..... Never ever book in an outside job unless it's the hight of summer..... If there is such a thing in this country..
However I wouldn't of even started the job if it was raining....
Always gets customers backs up if you start something you can't finish...
But yes your right you can't tile or grout in the rain or if the temp is under 5 degrees....

i didnt actually start it in the rain, my original start date was postponed due to the weather being rubbish! i had four good days in on the job to get as much down as possible, just didnt have the chance to carry on! I have done lots of outside work before, and always erected a canopy or lean to so i can work without worrying about the weather - obviously not in conditions below 5deg. But this time the customer refused blankly to having a canopy. Job would have only been 7-10 days!!

 

[One Day]

I have honestly fixed tiles in the pouring rain by simply mixing the powder in the rain. I kid not. Totally wrong but I was out of time and patience. I did it, thought "what the heck" used the adhesive as grout also. Cleaned it up as best I could and ten years on, it's all still there looking good.
Now I have a proper work tent and wouldn't do it again.
It was ardex adhesive too Tom.

 

[Flintstone]

Are you sure it's looking good? 😱​

 

[One Day]

Are you sure it's looking good? 😱​

passable then!

 

[Andy Allen]

i didnt actually start it in the rain, my original start date was postponed due to the weather being rubbish! i had four good days in on the job to get as much down as possible, just didnt have the chance to carry on! I have done lots of outside work before, and always erected a canopy or lean to so i can work without worrying about the weather - obviously not in conditions below 5deg. But this time the customer refused blankly to having a canopy. Job would have only been 7-10 days!!

To be fair....... If the job was to take 7 to 10 days, and not allowed to weather proof it.... I wouldn't of even done the job..... Totally unrealistic imo not allowing a conopy...

 

[Old Mod]

I have fixed tiles underwater in swimming pools so I say you do not understand which materials to use to help overcome the situation.

Correct me if I'm wrong Tom, but this is an advice forum, is it not?
The op is asking for guidance, does it make you feel superior to state that he doesn't know what he's doing and that you would know what to do?
Either give the guy the correct advice or don't bother posting.
It's irritating to say the least.

You can use X7 that will set underwater.