tile laying disaster--need advice asap!
13 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (18)
- 13 years ago
- 13 years ago
Related Discussions
Need some advice QUICK please...
Comments (20)"... Her house build demonstrates that. She described the floor and stair riser issues in her first post ..." She does not go into detail on why the condition of the construction is the way it is. You are assuming it was all the gc's fault. While I am certainly not going to defend the GC she fired, I will say part of that condition might have been from the house being open to the elements for a period of time. ANother part was that she never gave the original GC the opportunity to make the work that was done ready to be installed over. The GC did not complete the project and was removed from the job before he could finish his work, so of course it was not ready to be installed over, because the work was not completed and the original GC did not have the opportunity to make sure the stair system or any other part was in a ready state to be installed over. She very well may have had just cause to remove the CG, but nevertheless she took on the GC responsibility on herself to ensure it was ready for finish trades. I believe it is apparent that this house was not ready to have finished trades in it performing finish work, and it was her responsibility as GC to make sure it was unless soneone else accepted that responsibility by contract. "...A person does not require a GC to have a floor put down. ..." The problem with this is that it was not as simple as getting a floor put down in a home that was ready to have finish trade present. Again, we do not know what caused the stair issues, which could have been: Framing problems caused by the GC's incompetance, or being open to the elements, which flooring installer holds no responsibility for because its a hidden condition, unless it was a tile contractor who must check for build stability, and deflection and rigidity requirements. You might not be aware that carpet, wood, and resilient installers are noit trained for, nor do they hold any responsibility or liability for framing issues. All of which she holds responsibility for as the project GC. The only way the flooring installers would hold liability and responsibility for framing (hidden conditions) issues is if it was addressed on their bids that they agreed to do the work. Any flooring installer would address this in their bids if they elected to take on the added responsibility and liability from stair framing condition and height requirements she may ahve had which could only ahve been taken care of with additional prep they should have addressed in their bids if they wanted to take on the additional responsibility and liability for an added fee. Additionally, she admitted she has no local building codes for such things as stair height. Could they have done better...sure. But it begins and ends with who is liable and responsible. She took that on by electing to be her own project GC. "... While it might have been possible for her to have stepped in earlier to babysit the install where she would have seen that they weren't able to handle the job, stopping it sooner than what happened, that doesn't relieve that company of their total responsibility for having installed a floor over an (obviously) unsound substrate. You can't remove prep from the flooring equation. The flooring company is the professional here and in charge of their own work. It's their job. Once they start putting the floor down, they have accepted the substrate as sound and taken ownership of the results. They did not act responsibly or professionally. Period. Doesn't matter who did the hiring. They and they alone are responsible for their own incompetent work ..." Again, (and again, and again, and again) an installer absolutely is responsible and liable for the surface they install over. However, I will disagree that prep cant be removed. It very well can, and often is removed. While most professional flooring installers do much surface prep, others do not, and FEW, if any, will concern themselves with framing issues AT ALL. I do, but most do not. It all boils down to what was included in the bid. Flooring installers have no responsibility to do added prep work unless they agree to be contracted to do it. They ahve every right to stop work, tell the GC this or that prep needs done before continuing, and tell them to give them a call when its ready to be installed. Lastly, you seem to be taking everything she says as gospel. I dont. I have alot of experience with customers, and customers lie alot... and often. Mostly to save face, save a buck, and/or to shirk their responsibility. The customer is not always right. Thats a falicy. I find it hard to believe that she had issues with the GC, then issues with all the trades. Everyone was wrong in every aspect of this project ... except her. I dont believe that for a moment, but I am not saying its impossible. What I see as possible is someone who bit off more than they could chew, and is blaming everyone else. I am not stating no one else holds any blame though. Could be a little of each. Bottom line its mostly her responsibility unless she has a piece of paper saying different ...except the subfloor issues which the installers absolutely are responsible for if they elect to do the prep and/or install over it....See Moreurgent- tile layout advice needed asap
Comments (3)I don't think it's a big deal to have the tiles not centered in the doorway. To me, it's more important to avoid slivers and weird cuts. The "finger" won't be too fragile to lay, but you may break a couple tiles trying to cut it on the wet saw. Also, the "proper" way to lay tiles around doorways is to cut the door jamb with a jamb saw and run the tile underneath it. That would avoid the finger....See Morewater disasters = need your opinions
Comments (9)Do you live in a cold climate? Could you have had an ice dam on the roof? If so, then definately call the insurance company. I have had many Act of God claims - one ice dam, one roof with hail damage, one frozen radiator pipe and one downed tree that ripped off my service mast. Some of these claims got into five figures but I don't think they have driven up my homeowners insurance - I think they waited for the teen driver and jet ski coverage to bleed me dry instead. Whatever you do make sure you document and photograph everything before you tear things out. If you caught this early there is a good chance the damage will be more superficial and not as expensive to repair. I don't think you are looking at a worst case scenario here. The hard part will be finding someone that knows what there doing in finding where the water problems are coming from. It could be the roof, a window, a leaky pipe, even a shower stall that is not calked properly can leak copious amounts of water into walls. Good luck and don't fear the worst - it will all work out....See MoreKitchen Tiles layout help, Urgent!
Comments (7)Our bathroom is long and thin. We laid the tile floor diagonally. Running it the long way made the room seem even longer and thinner, running it the short way looked really odd (like a normal floor was cut off). Laying it diagonally was a really nice solution -- made the room seem larger while still have long enough rows of tile that they didn't look oddly cut off. I would suggest setting a couple rows of tile out on the floor in various directions in various places on the floor. I predict the answer becomes immediately clear to you....See More- 13 years ago
- 13 years ago
- 13 years ago
- 13 years ago
- 13 years ago
- 13 years ago
- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
Related Stories
LIFEHow to Prepare for and Live With a Power Outage
When electricity loss puts food, water and heat in jeopardy, don't be in the dark about how to stay as safe and comfortable as possible
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGN10 Top Tips for Getting Bathroom Tile Right
Good planning is essential for bathroom tile that's set properly and works with the rest of your renovation. These tips help you do it right
Full StoryMOST POPULARWhat to Do After a Hurricane or Flood
How you treat your home after a natural disaster can make all the difference in its future livability — and your own personal safety
Full StoryTILEHow to Choose the Right Tile Layout
Brick, stacked, mosaic and more — get to know the most popular tile layouts and see which one is best for your room
Full StoryTILEPorcelain vs. Ceramic Tile: A Five-Scenario Showdown
Explore where and why one of these popular tile choices makes more sense than the other
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESContractor Tips: Smooth Moves for Hardwood Floors
Dreaming of gorgeous, natural wood floors? Consider these professional pointers before you lay the first plank
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNHow to Build a Better Shower Curb
Work with your contractors and installers to ensure a safe, stylish curb that keeps the water where it belongs
Full StoryMOVINGThe All-in-One-Place Guide to Selling Your Home and Moving
Stay organized with this advice on what to do when you change homes
Full StoryBATHROOM WORKBOOK12 Ways to Get a Luxe Bathroom Look for Less
Your budget bathroom can have a high-end feel with the right tile, stone, vanity and accessories
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNHow to Design a Kitchen Island
Size, seating height, all those appliance and storage options ... here's how to clear up the kitchen island confusion
Full Story
alku05