Tiling problems

[vanessagernat]

Hi

We carried out a renovation on a period house 4 years ago. There was a prime contractor supervised by our architect. A travertine floor was laid over chipboard flooring beneath which there is underfloor heating. About eighteen months after moving in a few hairline cracks appeared. Our builders chopped out some of the cracked travertine and replaced. We now wonder whether they used the right underlay or right adhesve as there are now cracks approximately every 24 inches which are getting worse. Any thoughts as to what we can do and who is responsible, supplier, archtiect or builder?

 

[Gazzer]

Sounds like the chipboard floor is moving.
The tiler should not have fixed direct to Chipboard with or without flexible adhesive.

 

[peckers]

Sounds like the chipboard floor is moving.
The tiler should not have fixed direct to Chipboard with or without flexible adhesive.

Just what i would have said

 

[Deleted member 9966]

i'd consider calling the Architect first and explain the situation, particularly if he oversaw the renovation. Have you kept any of the tradespeople informed of the situation or have you not said anything for the last 18 months?

 

[Gazzer]

Hi

We carried out a renovation on a period house 4 years ago. There was a prime contractor supervised by our architect. A travertine floor was laid over chipboard flooring beneath which there is underfloor heating. About eighteen months after moving in a few hairline cracks appeared. Our builders chopped out some of the cracked travertine and replaced. We now wonder whether they used the right underlay or right adhesve as there are now cracks approximately every 24 inches which are getting worse. Any thoughts as to what we can do and who is responsible, supplier, archtiect or builder?

We would need more details to advise further, ie
Products used, Any membranes used, Photos would be useful.
Was a tiler employed to lay the travertine or another trade that thought he could ?

 

[TheWrightTiler]

methinks all to blame

architect builder and tiler should have known better imho

andy

 

[vanessagernat]

Many thanks for your comments. Regarding the tiling, the builder used his own people and yes the architect has been aware of the problem and after the initial repair we have been waiting to see if it got worse - and it has! If there is a solution without having to rip up the floor it would be wonderful.

 

[TheWrightTiler]

fraid not, floor would require strenghening and then relaid properly, thats something that can be mentioned to architect as he is aware supposedly of british standards etc

andy

 

[doug boardley]

it sounds like the joists are at 600 centres, my bet is that there's very few noggins and you're getting lateral deflection.

 

[oz bound]

Am i missing the point surely he has not put travertine directly onto chipboard without either hardi backer or at least 12 ml ply, If this is the case and there is no ply or hardi backer on top of the chipboard then the problem is clearly the chipboard:mad2::mad2: the tiler should have known that.

 

[oz bound]

It sounds like the only sollution is to lift the whole floor and start again

 

[vanessagernat]

- sounds as though we are going to have to strip out our kitchen - oh boy not looking forward to that.

 

[TheWrightTiler]

post a job on here and maybe one of the local lads would be willing to come over and advise you of what can and can t be done, we are here to help if we can

andy

 

[Colour Republic]

Who spec'd the job?

Was it the architect? you may have a case against them. Also who instructed the builder, did the acrhitect put it out to tender and instructed the builder direct? Or did you find the builder?

 

[oz bound]

was just about to say the same thas the best advice for sure.