Tiling just complete - am I being critical?

[Unregistered]

Hi,

I've just had tiling done in my kitchen and I would appreciate opinions on if it's been finished correctly as they are the first tiles I've had done - the tiles are 'subway style' 100mm * 200mm to be installed with trim.

Questions:

- the depth from the sink to the window was two and a half tiles - the half time lined up to the trim on the edge of the window - however, all along the trim I can see the cut lines of the tiles - all jagged - is that normal or should grout / other filler have been put in to give it a smoother look?

- is it unreasonable to have expected trim corners to fit together evenly?

- I had 5mm tiles and 7.5mm trim - as per b&q guy - but some of the trim has big gaps over the tops of the tiles - is that my fault for buying the wrong ones? It doesn't happen in every place

- is it unreasonable to expect the silicon sealant to be smoothly applied rather than lumpy in parts?

- should the grout have been allowed to dry fully before sealant applied? It is grey grout and the sealant appears dirty in parts - like it mixed in together?

The installer is coming back to look but it would be great to know from experts if I am being unreasonable!

Thank you,
Michelle

 

[Ian]

Welcome to the forum Michelle. If it's possible, could you register fully as that will allow our members to answer your questions much easier also, a couple of pics will be very handy. From what you have described, it doesn't sound great but, I'll wait for a picture before hanging your tiler out to dry.

 

[cam_low]

got the popcorn !

 

[Michellex]

Hi Bri,

Thank you for the welcome - I've joined properly now.

Pictures are available on Photobucket -
s1322.photobucket.com/user/michelle_gregory4/library/Tiling%20Dec%202014?sort=3&page=1

It's a shame because the bulk of the tiling is good but the finish just doesn't feel right.

M.

 

[Stef]

Hi & welcome along.
As Bri states it doesn't sound very good but I will also reserve judgment till I see some photos.
As a paying customer you deserve a 1st class finish though.

 

[Ian]

Here are the pics from Michelle's link.

 

[Ian]

To be fair, it's far from the worst effort we've seen on here, just some silly/lazy mistakes. A bit of tidying up on the grout and Silicon would make a world of difference and use grey Silicon to match the grout, that join in the trim is what I'd have the biggest problem with, no excuse for that.

 

[rj1884]

Hi. As Bri says a little lazy. The grout looks like it needed washing down giving an even finish in the joints. The small cut tile going into the cooker extractor I would have put a bit of trim on that exposed edge to finish it off. You can get Silicon to either match or be similar colour to the grout.
Not sure what others door but I always Silicon between the tiles and window frame due the vibration of opening and closing the window.
Like Bri said no excuse for the cut trim along the window ledge.

 

[Sean Kelly]

Michelle, when I first read your post I thought that you had done the tiling yourself. Until I read your last paragraph!

My observations:
Your tiles are called ‘Metro’. They have a bevelled edge. This means that the sides of them will be thinner than the middle of the tile. This becomes a problem when butting the tiles up against trim. The trim must be wide enough to accommodate the thickest part of the tile. However, the thinner part of the tile will look a bit lost in the trim.

I would have suggested you go either for a grey or metal (chrome) trim (normally you would match the trim colour to the grout). Or you stay with white trim and use white grout.

Sometimes soft ceramic tiles will cut giving a jagged edge. To get over this your tiler should have either sanded down the sides of the cut tile or cut it using a wet saw.

Silicon should be smooth.

What really annoyed me is the patched together piece of trim. That in my book is very very sloppy. Trim comes in 2.4 metre lengths. If I did not have a continuous length of trim for a window I would go out and buy more.

There is also a piece of trim missing at your cooker hood.

I hope the above helps.

 

[Rich Midge]

Can't really add too much to what's already been said except that in the last picture there looks to be a tile thats either sunk a little or maybe it's the one next to it not been bedded down enough, difficult to see. 1 of my 2 real pet hates, lippers in tiles. The other being grout lines that don't match up.

 

[Michellex]

Thanks all - that's all really useful - and good to know it's not without hope - except the trim which does make me feel like weeping!

Thanks all

 

[cbmltd]

Id get him back just for the trim on the sill
No excuse there !!!
Reveal on window messed up
And like another guy said steel or dark trim to match grout always goes best with metro .
Bad diyer "not tiler I'm afraid"

 

[Time's Ran Out]

It's a bodge up job and is a waste of your money!
Too many out there that think it's easy.
Why accept rubbish, there are just too many mistakes for it to be even a half decent attempt!

 

[John Benton]

It's a bodge up job and is a waste of your money!
Too many out there that think it's easy.
Why accept rubbish, there are just too many mistakes for it to be even a half decent attempt!

That is a fence you're sitting there isn't it TJ?

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I'am just a grumpy old man!
I don't touch electrics, I don't touch plumbing, I hate the smell of paint, and I don't like wasting money!
Thats why - I'am just a TILER.