Tiling on a suspended floor

[grumpygrouter]

Scottey, better late than never!
The void is about 60-70cm off the ground only. What is considered adequate?

TJ - there are no cracks in the tiles. In many places, the grout has cracked or seem to be stuck to one side only. I DON'T ' think the grout (Mapei utracolor plus) was a flexible one so this is expected given flexing in the floor. In some area its whole groups of tiles together - in others 120-180cms width.

Looking at some pictures, it seems to me the tiles that have lifted the most have been where two sheets of plys meet. It seems to affect the whole row of tile. Tiles adjacent to these are less affected.

Thanks
Sukie

Ultracolor Plus is a highly flexible grout.

 

[Ceramico tiling]

I would be tempted to use mappei kerraquick mixed with mappei latex plus.Im not sure if it would be more efficient/flexible than Bal but it apparantly equals a mappei s2 adhesive.I think it will work out cheaper than BAL,

 

[Sukie666]

Guss & grumpygrouter thanks!

Guys, if my builder has public liability insurance (which he said he does), would my case be covered? Having heard all your advice, it really does seem that there is no easy way around this and will need to start from scratch. The tiling job was part of the kitchen renovation project but the UFH was done by a separate firm. To do it properly would mean redoing everything. Would the insurance cover the UFH replacement etc or just the tiling? Sorry - I am really quite clueless on these matters. I just want some ammo before I speak to the builder (if he picks up my calls) about this. How would I kick start this process as well?

Any advice & thoughts would be most appreciated.

many thanks
Sukie

 

[diamondtiling]

Guss & grumpygrouter thanks!

Guys, if my builder has public liability insurance (which he said he does), would my case be covered? Having heard all your advice, it really does seem that there is no easy way around this and will need to start from scratch. The tiling job was part of the kitchen renovation project but the UFH was done by a separate firm. To do it properly would mean redoing everything. Would the insurance cover the UFH replacement etc or just the tiling? Sorry - I am really quite clueless on these matters. I just want some ammo before I speak to the builder (if he picks up my calls) about this. How would I kick start this process as well?

Any advice & thoughts would be most appreciated.

many thanks
Sukie

I am not sure if admin can publish Pm's Sukie but it would help if our conversations were made available, you have gone into great detail whilst talking with me, If the forum could read these then I am sure they would comment correctly.

 

[Sukie666]

Not sure how to do that - but all the details are on the thread anyway.

 

[doug boardley]

public liability doesn't cover shoddy workmanship Sukie.

 

[Sukie666]

Thought as much. Can't see the insurer paying for my replacement ufh. Back to the drawing board.

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Sukie

Your builder/tradespeople have ballsed up. It's up to them to cough up to put it all right in my opinion. If meaning the whole thing has to be done from scratch, then that's the builders hard luck and he/she/they should have to cover all the costs.

Have you had anybody round to do an independent report yet?

GRR

 

[Sukie666]

I don't have any contacts yet, but to be honest I was rather put off when I heard it would cost around £1200. I understand that the report would help with any claims (in court I guess) against the builder. However, I'm hoping it won't come to that. I have found a tiler from the Tile Association site who was quite helpful. If he is willing, I will probably get him in when the tiles are to be lifted by the builder and let him assess and advice on the remedy then. I want the builders to do the work because it shouldn't cost me, but for him to oversee it which hopefully won't be too expensive. Does that sound reasonable?

many thanks
Sukie

 

[mikethetile]

before spending £1200 for a report I would get a price off here, same with the tiling

im not sure you should have the builder back to redo it as he has already proven his lack of knowledge and skill

your best plan is to get him to pay for someone of your choosing to correct his work

 

[Sukie666]

Mike - I would love to do that. If only I knew how to get them to cough up. Getting them to pick up my calls is hard enough. What do builders fear most? How do I get them to take this seriously? I know there are load of sites for recommending builders/tradesmen - what about those that warn against them?

thanks
Sukie

 

[doug boardley]

Mike - I would love to do that. If only I knew how to get them to cough up. Getting them to pick up my calls is hard enough. What do builders fear most? How do I get them to take this seriously? I know there are load of sites for recommending builders/tradesmen - what about those that warn against them?

thanks
Sukie

try calling from somebody else's phone Sukie, the builder probably has caller ID and ignores it when your number appears on his screen

 

[mikethetile]

A good tradesman doesnt need to pay £45 a quarter and £20 a lead to get work. the bulders you need generate their own leads through word of mouth and come personally reccomended


this is the route you need to take, if you look through the albums here you will see examples of tilers work and know what you can expect from them

what do builders fear most ? legal action, court judgements against them make life difficult as a lot of people do a credit check and court search before doing business with someone, if they get too many actions against them trading standards can have them prosecuted and prevented from trading

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Sukie

If the builders are not responding to your calls, try one last time from another number or payphone if you have to. If they still won't talk to you about the problems you're now left with following their installations, then go and see a solicitor and start legal proceedings. If they receive a solicitors letter warning that further action may be taken against them if they don't sort it out, it might just be enough to get them to sort it out.

There are several members on here in the London area who will be able to come round and assess the work that has been done in order to get an independent report done. You'll need it if you go down the legal route anyway.

No more dilly dallying. Time is of the essence and you need to crack on. Start keeping a diary of all the times you've called them, conversations you've managed to have etc. it should help you and your solicitor keep track of what has been discussed so far.

It's not nice to have to do this, but your kitchen needs to be an acceptable standard to live in, and right now, it's not.

Hope this helps
Liz

 

[Scott]

Citizens advice could be worthwhile and its free. They have more clout than peole think. If not then Trading standards.

Any sign of any pics?