Suspended floor - Can it be tiled?

[inspiredandy]

Evening folks....
I have a slight issue I could do with another opinion on. I priced a job a few weeks back to install travertine over a timber floor. Included in the price was the supply and fitting of a decoupling membrane and the removal of the existing floor coverings (carpet and Karndean/Amtico). Having stripped the existing coverings it turns out that the floor is actually floating. I have informed client that the floor also needs over boarding with backer board but they are reluctant to spend the extra money. Bear in mind the area is approx 45sqm.
They have suggested they sign a disclaimer admitting liability and to carry on with original plan. However, I'm not happy to proceed knowing that the floor is likely to fail. I am sure that the disclaimer wouldn't stand up in court as I have advised them of the correct installation procedure and would therefore be negligent if I carried on even with them signing a disclaimer.
A bit long winded I know but would appreciate another judgement.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Ian]

Don't do anything you know to be wrong, there is a good thread on floating floors that @AliGage did recently, he prepped the life out of it though. There are ways of doing them but, if the customer won't pay to have the prep done then I'd personally be walking away from it.

 

[inspiredandy]

Cheers Bri,
Thats what my instinct it telling me to do. Ive told the client that I will sleep on it. It would be a shame to have to walk away as its a nice job but hey ho.

 

[Ajax123]

You say floating floor yet the thread title is suspended floor. Which is it? I agree that a disclaimer is not the way forward. In fact it is not worth the paper it's printed on.

 

[inspiredandy]

hiya,
its not fully floating, just not enough joists from what i could see.

 

[AliGage]

Need to check if it is a floater or you have a fixing first.

But you've answered your own question in your opening post. If they're not willing to have necessary prep done then walk away. Let it be on their heads not yours.

The prep I did on the floor @Bri is referring too was extensive. It worked but I couldn't guarantee it would and the client was well aware that if it didn't take out the deflection we couldn't tile it.

Thankfully it did. Worth taking your laser round and popping It on the deck and visually show them the bounce. You may find them more persuasive if you show them the problem