Won't Pay For Decoupling

[hmtiling]

I've priced and got 200m2 of trav on a pumped heated screed. The client agreed to decoupling but has just sent me an email saying it doesn't need it according to the screeding company! I don't want to lose the job but not prepared to do it without the membrane. Can anyone point me in the right direction of some literature to email him please? Thanks.

 

[Qwerty]

Use the online technical info pages of the manufacturer you were planning to use. I carry it in my van and/or forward them a link in my quotes/ estimates so it's there to see from the off

 

[hmtiling]

I'm pretty sure he's read the bumf from Dural. I could do with something impartial that states it's needed. Am i right in thinking decoulping with stone is British Standard?

 

[ttt tiling]

The floor will crack without decoupling . I give people the choice , tell him it will crack without ditra or probably wont with ditra , either way Travertine is well dodge on a heated floor that size

 

[Spud]

Get your customer to ring the stone federation, their guidelines is to use a membrane with stone over UHF I will see if I can find some literature

 

[hmtiling]

Many thanks

 

[Italy]

of sand cement screed heated, in Italy you do not use decoupling, it just keeps on expansion joints and perimeter doors, spacious expansion joints every 4/5 ml.norme UNI say this.
UK do not know the rules
the trav posed fugue or approached?
sorry for my english 🙂

 

[hmtiling]

I'll be using expansion joints too. The pumped screeds here crack a lot!
It's 600x600 honed and filled if that's what you're asking Antonio?
Your English is better than my Italian 🙂

 

[Italy]

I'll be using expansion joints too. The pumped screeds here crack a lot!
It's 600x600 honed and filled if that's what you're asking Antonio?
Your English is better than my Italian 🙂

is liquid screed?o normal cement sand?

 

[hmtiling]

Liquid. It's alpha hemihydrate to be precise 😉

 

[Italy]

wondering if fissures wide or narrow
liquid or sand cement screed?

 

[Italy]

Liquid. It's alpha hemihydrate to be precise 😉

you know the thickness of the screed?

 

[hmtiling]

Around 50mm. They usually are.

 

[Chalker]

Don't worry about it, or lose the job.
Put in writing that you are using brand x tile adhesive, that the floor is dry amd that a decoupling membrane was advised, but declined.
Get the, to sign this, do the job, get paid, wait for the cracks.

 

[Italy]

Around 50mm. They usually are.

problems
Sign a paper.
you are not liable for any cracks.
otherwise do not work

 

[Italy]

Don't worry about it, or lose the job.
Put in writing that you are using brand x tile adhesive, that the floor is dry amd that a decoupling membrane was advised, but declined.
Get the, to sign this, do the job, get paid, wait for the cracks.

They are too slow to write.
I've anticipated 🙂

 

[Spud]

There are 2 ways of looking at it
say the travertine is 25-40 pounds a sqm and worse case scenario after you put the correct expansion joints in you get some tiles cracked ,if the customer orders a few extra metres you can replace them or fix the crack in the tile with Akemi it will be cheaper for him than using an uncoupling membrane which adds thousands of pounds on the job
Or you can use an uncoupling matting and he has zero headaches in the future it depends on them and whether they want to agree to pay you for any return visits because they declined the use of a Mat

 

[hmtiling]

There are 2 ways of looking at it
say the travertine is 25-40 pounds a sqm and worse case scenario after you put the correct expansion joints in you get some tiles cracked ,if the customer orders a few extra metres you can replace them or fix the crack in the tile with Akemi it will be cheaper for him than using an uncoupling membrane which adds thousands of pounds on the job
Or you can use an uncoupling matting and he has zero headaches in the future it depends on them and whether they want to agree to pay you for any return visits because they declined the use of a Mat

I would much prefer to use the mat but, like you say, it's not cheap. I've emailed him saying i strongly recommend the mat so i;ll wait and see.

 

[Colour Republic]

I would be asking the screeding company to put it in writing that a decoupler is not needed and guarantee it won't crack.

My guess is their advice would quickly change.

 

[hmtiling]

I would be asking the screeding company to put it in writing that a decoupler is not needed and guarantee it won't crack.

My guess is their advice would quickly change.

Great idea!

 

[Ajax123]

I've priced and got 200m2 of trav on a pumped heated screed. The client agreed to decoupling but has just sent me an email saying it doesn't need it according to the screeding company! I don't want to lose the job but not prepared to do it without the membrane. Can anyone point me in the right direction of some literature to email him please? Thanks.

What the heck do the screeding company know. Will they past the repair bill if it goes wrong. Trasv with ufh is required to be uncoupled if you are to follow British standards.

 

[Ajax123]

Don't worry about it, or lose the job.
Put in writing that you are using brand x tile adhesive, that the floor is dry amd that a decoupling membrane was advised, but declined.
Get the, to sign this, do the job, get paid, wait for the cracks.

That is not the answer. As you are knowingly installing without due consideration given to best practice you would still be liable.

 

[hmtiling]

What the heck do the screeding company know. Will they past the repair bill if it goes wrong. Trasv with ufh is required to be uncoupled if you are to follow British standards.

Tell me about it. Where can i find the relevant british standard to email him?

 

[Chalker]

Your completely right, but if the customer is adamant that they don't want to pay for decoupling, what do you do.
High horse...... No work , but keep your principals.
Work with them ( but point out the pitfalls amd really try to convince them)

 

[hmtiling]

So, he's agreed to the uncoupling, but in one room of approx 35m2 he doesn't want any skirting boards or a tiled upstand. This room is not linked to the large floor area. How much of a risk would having a 3mm grout joint round the room be as opposed to leaving it for expansion? You're thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[J Sid]

Get a coloured silicon to match your chosen grout colour, clean all adhesive from around perimeter of tile to wall joint before the silicon goes in and it will look fine and be better than grout.

 

[hmtiling]

Get a coloured silicon to match your chosen grout colour, clean all adhesive from around perimeter of tile to wall joint before the silicon goes in and it will look fine and be better than grout.

Cheers for that. He's more than likely going with mapei ucp jasmine(they all do with trav!) and the Silicon/grout match is pretty good with that.

 

[J Sid]

Cheers for that. He's more than likely going with mapei ucp jasmine(they all do with trav!) and the Silicon/grout match is pretty good with that.

Personally I like Ardex Natural Almond or Classic vanilla on travertine

 

[bcd-87]

Great idea!

A Lot of great advice here mate

 

[Italy]

trav = travertine = stone?
no Silicon acetyl and stone
Silicon polyurethane or acrylic yes with stone

 

[hmtiling]

Yes it's travertine. Cheers Antonio.