Tiler left Jerusalem Marble tiles unsealed

[DHTiling]

Yes steve there is a commission time before turning it on..usually around 14 days...thern turn it on at one degree intervals each day...gradual warm up..

Right so a project manager was over seeing it....he is the guy you need to talk too about your concerns....i just didn't want a tiler hung drawn and quarted for something that wasn't really his fault..

 

[Colour Republic]

I agree and it would be down to him why you have cuts around the units as both the kitchen fitters and tiler would be taking directions from him.

Can I ask what type of kitchen it is? Budget, Mid Range or High Spec?

 

[kilty55]

i can see issues and valid points on both sides to be honest.
you say you supplied the tiles ,,and adhesive/grout and sealer but the sealer didnt turn up?? were you aware what the sealer was for at this stage and its importance in the job and if so why did yourself or the tiler not go and buy some from another source?

the tiler should have at least covered the tiles or sdvised you not to use the kitchen until it was completed properly giving the nature of the tiles laid.

i dont know where you stand with this to be honest but if you were supplying the materials which included sealers then is the tiler liable for the mess incured to the tiles over the weekend given the fact he wasnt supplied witht the materials or is the customer(yourself) at fault? either way i hope you get it resolved mate

 

[david campbell]

Dave - see post 17.

I was not giving my opinion on whether it was easy or not - just giving as full a response as possible to the question asked. My main problem on the time taken is that it must have taken alot longer because of all the cuts, it does not look as good because of the cuts and I do not see why they could not lay before the kitchen (the same company did both jobs) this is not the tilers fault but the project manager.

would the floor not look the same with the cuts after the kickboards have been inserted anyway?you would only see the same amount of tile if the tiles or kitchen had been put in first!

 

[kilty55]

im assuming there are 2 end panels and not kickplates all round it on 4 sides? leaving 2 sides with visible cuts?

 

[Colour Republic]

would the floor not look the same with the cuts after the kickboards have been inserted anyway?you would only see the same amount of tile if the tiles or kitchen had been put in first!

It's not the kickerboard that's the problem it's the Decor ends (of which you would see a grout line round)

 

[stevetalbot]

would the floor not look the same with the cuts after the kickboards have been inserted anyway?you would only see the same amount of tile if the tiles or kitchen had been put in first!

No. The decor ends, curved posts and seperator panels were not removed and hence are not hidden by plinths.

 

[david campbell]

It's not the kickerboard that's the problem it's the Decor ends (of which you would see a grout line round)

can thes not be removed and trimmed or at very worse replaced!
worth going to the project manager and giving it a go,then the tiling would look like it runs continiosly under the island!

 

[stevetalbot]

im assuming there are 2 end panels and not kickplates all round it on 4 sides? leaving 2 sides with visible cuts?

Yes. Plus seperator panels (plinths fitted between these) and curved posts at corners of island.

 

[kilty55]

so why is the tiler refusing to grout?

 

[DHTiling]

I normall try and stress i want the centre island leaving out....much easier for setting out and especially better with pattern floors...

I have cut around posts before..if done neatly it looks fine but i agree much neater without...but thats an ideal world and tilers dream...:lol:

 

[stevetalbot]

I agree and it would be down to him why you have cuts around the units as both the kitchen fitters and tiler would be taking directions from him.

Can I ask what type of kitchen it is? Budget, Mid Range or High Spec?

Marpatt Bespoke In-Frame

 

[Colour Republic]

Marpatt Bespoke In-Frame

Ok so you're at the higher end of the market, these kitchens start at £15k and can rise to £35K+ as i'm sure you are aware.

Were the units made to order and at non-standard sizes?

I've worked for these firms before. I take it you approched the kitchen manufacturer direct and they either reccomended a fitter or they dealt with it from start to finsh.

Judging by your replys they reccomended the various trades who you dealt with direct but the kitchen company oversaw the project.

Which makes things a little different as the tiler would have given you the price and invoiced you direct. So really you do need to take your issues up with the tiler but if you also notify the project manager then he may have some clout with the tiler as they may not reccomend him in the future if they believe he is at fault

 

[stevetalbot]

Ok so you're at the higher end of the market, these kitchens start at £15k and can rise to £35K+ as i'm sure you are aware.

Were the units made to order and at non-standard sizes?

I've worked for these firms before. I take it you approched the kitchen manufacturer direct and they either reccomended a fitter or they dealt with it from start to finsh.

Judging by your replys they reccomended the various trades who you dealt with direct but the kitchen company oversaw the project.

Which makes things a little different as the tiler would have given you the price and invoiced you direct. So really you do need to take your issues up with the tiler but if you also notify the project manager then he may have some clout with the tiler as they may not reccomend him in the future if they believe he is at fault

Actually the kitchen was part of a larger job overseen by a design and build company - the tiler and kitchen fiiters are employed by them but we chose and planned the kichen and sourced the tiles. I have plenty spare now as I ordered enough to cover the whole floor as I wanted the kitchen laid on top.

 

[kilty55]

so why is the tiler not grouting the floor?:mad2:

 

[The D]

This is a interesting one do you have any pics of the dirty floor? and can you tell me at what point the sealer arrived on the job.

 

[Terry Cottar]

Hi, can anyone give any advice on a tiling job which I have had done.

I supplied the tiles (White Jerusalem Marble) adhesive and grout (ordered sealer but did not arrive).

The tiles were laid in a new kitchen of about 20sq mtrs. I had ordered enough for the tiles to be laid first before the kitchen was installed but was told that the kitchen needed to be fitted first because the island could not be fixed on top of the underfloor heating - I would have thought that the underfloor heating could have been laid to go around where the island was to be located as we had a plan - we are now left with cuts up to end panels and around posts etc and the job took alot longer because of all the cuts.

The tiler took 4 days and we were advised each night not to stand on certain areas which had been laid kate in the day.

After the 4 days he had one tile to cut and various tiles to fix (mainly cuts around the island. As this was Friday we were left over the bank holiday weekend and used the kitchen as normal (we were told that we could).

The tiles were not sealed and over the weekend the tiles became very marked and these marks cannot be removed.

My question is this - should the tiles have been left for this length of time without sealing? The tiler came back on the Tuesday - fitted the loose tiles and left without grouting or offering any help. We have now received his invoice which we have not yet paid.

The supplier of the tiles says that they need grinding on site and this will cost £45 to £50 per metre plus VAT. I have told the tiler and he says that they can be cleaned but expects me to pay.

Any advice?

It is difficult to believe that the tiles need grinding after a weekend of wear by a family unless you had a football match in the kitchen. post some pics please of the damage is the marble polished or matt finish? where r u in the country? perhaps someone off here could pop over and have a look for you to give you a second opinion

tel

 

[Terry Cottar]

Try Aquamix poultice or knockdown.

i know you are trying to help but i wouldnt start advising products to use just yet till youve seen some pics and u know what the exact problem is a customer could do a lot of damage to soft marble with abarasive

tel

 

[stevetalbot]

i know you are trying to help but i wouldnt start advising products to use just yet till youve seen some pics and u know what the exact problem is a customer could do a lot of damage to soft marble with abarasive

tel

Tiles are lightly polished in appearance.

 

[stevetalbot]

Images of the dirty tiles

 

[kilty55]

hi steve. is this whats happened because i still cant work out why the tiler has left without grouting?

has the tiler come back after the weekend to find the tiles badly marked,,you have asked him to fix it at his own expense and theres been a fall out and hes left without grouting etc??

 

[jay]

i would recomend not using the floor at all until finnished (and get the stools off the floor ) you need to talk to youe tiler and discuss options i dont think grinding will help:8:

 

[The D]

so why is the tiler not grouting the floor?:mad2:

I can only assume that the tiler will not grout the floor until it has been sealed and it can not be sealed until it has been cleaned and the cost and responsibility of cleaning is in dispute.

 

[kilty55]

thats what i 1st thought deano as well but the tiler has invoiced the customer for payment? oh well good luck to them

 

[andy-p]

ive worked for several kitchen companys and the tiler gets in last , islands, plinths cornicing the lot are all fitted, sockets screwed tight as well. tried on one tricky job to get them to remove the island so as to give a better finish and it fell on deaf ears , i dont work for kitchen companies no more....

 

[stevetalbot]

thats what i 1st thought deano as well but the tiler has invoiced the customer for payment? oh well good luck to them

I assume the tiler left the tiles ungrouted because he knew there was a problem - I say assume because he left without giving an explanation!

 

[Alan.P]

Interesting thread, not wanting to take sides as I don't know all the facts, but in picture number 4, what are those marks from ? Is it that the choice of stools has done damage to the marble, are they padded on the bottom or is it metal to tile, I hope I'm wrong, but that's what some of it looks like to me.

 

[White Room]

Same as Alan, looks like rubber pad rubbing on the floor

 

[stevetalbot]

Interesting thread, not wanting to take sides as I don't know all the facts, but in picture number 4, what are those marks from ? Is it that the choice of stools has done damage to the marble, are they padded on the bottom or is it metal to tile, I hope I'm wrong, but that's what some of it looks like to me.

No. Definately not the stools, they were added later and the tiles in picture no. 4 are no where near the stools.

I reiterate, although the pictures look bad (especially the close ups) we have taken reasonable care and the tiles have only had light traffic (including dog paws) but the shiny surface marks very easily and does not wipe clean.

Had we been told that the tiles were unsealed and that we were not to use the kitchen we would have asked for the job to be finished that evening (or on the Saturday) or precautions taken e.g. covering with a something suitable. I do not think that is too unreasonable given that it is a kitchen - but wanted to gauge thoughts of professionals to check.

 

[Colour Republic]

I'm sorry to say Steve that really is quite bad damage and I would say that even if the tiles were sealed it would not have stopped those marks.

All stools should have soft feet and even then, if it is black rubber it would transfer. Any spills should be mopped up as soon as possible that also goes for muddy paw prints.

It would seem that you have a busy household and this may not be the best choice of floor for you, As with anything nice it really does need to be treated with respect even more so due to it colour. Sealing will make the tiles less porus but will not create the magic barrier that you may think it will.

I know you may not want to hear it but I think the tiler may not have discussed this all with you because he may have been heartbroken when he saw the state of the floor. Whilst it is unprofessional that he has ingnored the issue he may take great pride in his work and couldn't say to you what he really felt about it.

Sorry

 

[Colour Republic]

You posted at the same time to me and noitce you say that the problem is not due to the stools. The marks are very locilised and do look like rubber, maybe somebodys shoes? Sealing will stop staining if cleaned up within a reasonable amount of time but those do not look like stains (well most of them). Do you know what cuased the black marks?