Grout issues with shower floor tile and wall tile installs

5 years ago

New house just built. I'm noticing not-great-looking tile jobs in the master shower floor and the guest bath wall and tub surround. I need opinion on these issues so I can present arguments for correction to the builder.

Master shower floor -

(1) tile is not level around the perimeter of the shower floor. The tile level rises, dips, then rises again along one side. The tile in (front) corners (directly under shower head) is actually lower than adjacent tile --- which I'm assuming is going to cause water to puddle in the corners vs flowing back to the drain. (photo#1)

(2) width of grout line at wall increases from front (under shower head) to back of the shower floor. It appears the rectangular shower floor area is not an even width from front of shower to back. (I am not at the house and am unable to measure the exact difference. I can do that when I return if the amount of discrepancy makes a difference in argument) (see photo#1 - front) and photo#2 (back)

(3) excessive grout spacing around drain - besides looking unsightly because of choppy tile edges, I'm worried water will degrade the grouted area more quickly than it would if the grout line was more precise. (photo#3)

Guest shower/tub bath

(1) Holes in wall grout -- everywhere!! (see in photo with cracked grout below)

(2) Cracked grout in corners -- should this be removed for re-grouting or can they just apply new grout on top? Should caulk be applied to prevent further cracking? (photo#6)

(3) No seal - grout or caulk - between tub and bathroom tile floor. Should this be grout or caulk? Should it match tile floor (gray) or tub (white)? (photo#7)

In summary:

M(1) Un-level tile - dip in corners

Tile · More Info

M(2) Gradually increasing grout line

Tile · More Info

M(3) Drain grout

Tile · More Info

G(1) Holes and G(2) Cracked grout

Tile · More Info

G(3) No seal at base of tub

Tile · More Info

Featured Answer

PRO

Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Ok so, so sorry but here:

Master-

1) Lay-out is awful. You shouldn't have that small tile at the inside (a pro balances the lay-out prior to install). Yes your concerns regarding uneven and improper slope are valid. Pretty basic standard for tile installation, especially on a shower floor where proper pitch to drain is imperative. Being concerned about the damage occurring from tearing it out is a mute point as you will have major issues as it is.

2) As others have stated, that should be caulk and always caulk at change of planes, not grout. And no, it isn't common for professionals to install on a surface that isn't plumb and flat. If either the general or the tile contractor do not shim and level to prepare for tile, then standards are being ignored and you have a problem. It's poorly done.

3) That is the very cheapest drain assembly available (if it was speced and this was a very low end build, then maybe that was to be expected but as a customer you should be aware of the quality of the product being used). Very unprofessional job around the drain. It should be cut so nicely around the drain that you don't even notice the grout. It is definitely not an "average job". In the tile world, we would call it a "hack job".

Guest -

1) Multiple possibilities for the grout pinholes, all related to skill and craftsmanship. Could you dab grout in those places and hope it looks a little better? If you bought a new car would you ask them to fix the paint or dents before you drove it off the lot? You shouldn't need to do patch work on something new.

2) Caulk but remove grout first.

3) Caulk and color match, not clear. Clear is a bad idea there.

Now, I'm sorry if we sound harsh. It's an exciting time to move into a new home. If consumers do not hold the builders to basic standards, there will continue to be builders that take short cuts and perform sub-standard work. ALL builds should adhere to basic standards and there is no excuse for what you are seeing. (I hate to say it but I'd be concerned about the methods used to build and waterproof the wet areas, what you can't see, based on what you can see). One place to start is to ask your contractor to document how all aspects of the tile work conform to TCNA industry standards.

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Comments (8)

kudzu9
5 years ago
Master:

1) Functionally unacceptable. Pooling is not good. Pan was badly sloped before tile went in. However, tearing out floor and redoing is complicated because it could damage the waterproofing where the floor and wall meet. One option is to just live with it and squeegee the floor each time you shower. Tell contractor you want it redone and see what he says.

2) Aesthetically annoying but not a big deal. Common when builders don't ensure showers are perfectly square.

3) Drain could have been done a little more cleanly, but probably average job and won't be a problem.

Guest:

1) Poor job. Grout may have been too wet when applied. They need to go over with more grout to fill holes.

2) Done incorrectly and not to industry standards. Whenever tiled surfaces in two different planes intersect (like corners), the intersection needs to be caulked with silicone.

3) Needs to be caulked with silicone. I'd use clear.
sandbandb thanked kudzu9
2beachlovers
5 years ago
Wow, no pride of workmanship there! Perhaps some experts will chime in here, but I think you have done a great job of delineating all the problems with the tile work. You shouldn't have to come up with how the work needs to be fixed, just show the substandard work that has been done. If the home is in a tract, go to the sales rep. If custom, go to the lead contractor. If you don't get satisfaction, check with your local building code enforcement and your state's contractor licensing board. You should not have to settle for this crappy job.
sandbandb thanked 2beachlovers
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cpartist
5 years ago
More importantly what kind of waterproofing was done behind the walls?
sandbandb thanked cpartist
tiggerlgh
5 years ago
Have you closed on the house or is it still being built?
Mr. Memes
5 years ago
The shower floor looks wavy not slopped correctly with deck mud if that was used at all...

Grout shouldn’t be rapped around the drain that will crack. (Silicone only) were the floor meets tub or shower base needs to be siliconed as well.

Grout either cracks when there is movement or not properly mixed correctly. I’m thinking it’s wasn’t mixed well enough.
sandbandb thanked Mr. Memes
Jeff Meeks
5 years ago
The poor pitch of the floor is enough to get things redone. That's basic to the function of the shower and I'm sure you don't want to be mopping up big puddles every day. However, the numerous issues you identify make me wonder what's underneath the tile.
sandbandb thanked Jeff Meeks
sandbandb
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you all! I'm happy my thoughts have been confirmed and I feel more confident in doing battle. Unfortunately, tigerlgh, I have closed on the house. And, yes, cpartist, what's underneath and behind the walls is exactly what I'm concerned about.

I appreciate all of the information, especially from those of you who are professionals in tile work. Hopefully, I can report back that all issues are addressed satisfactorily. Stay tuned.

Grout issues with shower floor tile and wall tile installs

Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.

Comments (8)

kudzu9

2beachlovers

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cpartist

tiggerlgh

Mr. Memes

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sandbandb
Original Author

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Grout issues with shower floor tile and wall tile installs

Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.

Comments (8)

kudzu9

2beachlovers

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cpartist

tiggerlgh

Mr. Memes

Jeff Meeks

sandbandbOriginal Author

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