Tile-setter put cracked mesh mounted tile on shower wall -wwyd?!

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

After our contractor left the other day, we went to check out the progress and noticed he installed a couple sheets of tile with cracked edges.

It’s not grouted yet but it is up on the wall. We aren’t sure if there’s a way to replace the one tile (in a couple places actually) that is cracked since it’s mesh mounted. He comes back tomorrow morning - and we are getting to the point of just wanting this to be over with but also want it to look good (Perfection is a lost cause at this point but....)

Do we insist on a fix?

for reference, here is the tile displayed at Home Depot.

Featured Answer

greg_2015

4 years ago

You can pop out individual tiles and replace them. The mesh is just for ease of initial placement.

But why are some tiles touching? That'll be an issue more than replacing the chipped ones.

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Comments (20)

PRO
Avanti Tile & Stone / Stonetech
4 years ago
Oh yeah...that is crap work and they need to fix it.....although, if that is an example of their work...I would get a Pro in there.................
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lmao. what Jan said! Although, I had to help out my guys who did my herringbone wood floor. it's the starting point where everyone gets messed up. after that, it's simple. Look up how to properly start a herringbone layout and read it. you need to use a speed square at the end of your tile in order to get the proper middle starting point. much easier to illustrate than trying to write it out here. This is how I showed my guys how to start it. see the blue tape w/the two lines? you have to start on the middle after you mark your corner. that's the only way you will get perfect even cuts on both ends. this is how most do it, and it's not correct IF you want perfectly symmetrical left/right borders. All he's done is set the corner of the tile on the line. doing it like this will leave you w/one side smaller than the other: see how the sides of the window don't match? this is what you don't want. your tile guy should be doing a dry layout in order to determine where he starts so he doesn't get this look or these tiny triangles. Again,,,see how the ends don't match below? the right has longer tiles than the left edge. that's because of the way he started his first tile. And don't do these vertical tiles for your edging. get proper bullnose tiles, pencil liner or a Schluter edge. This is a layout board of my herringbone for my shower. took a few hours in order to get this almost perfect. since this was an odd size, and the tiles were even at 3x12, it couldn't be perfect. the right bottom corner triangle is the only portion that doesn't match. luckily, it's not readily visible! Even the subway tiles are perfectly matched. this layout took hours to get exact, even around the niche. 2x6your 3x9 will be 1/3 larger. 3x9 is a good size for a backsplash. this is a regular 3x6. again, a 3x9 will give you 1/3 longer.
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mainenell
4 years ago
Yikes. The tile placement looks very uneven.
PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
take a pic from further back.

pull off any cracked pieces and replace w/a fresh one. (a dab of thinset will hold it in place.

He should have done this as he went along. did he not see these?

Ask him to fix all the broken ones before he grouts.

as for unevenness on the sheet. some of these have uneven spacing, and sometimes the sheet 'sags' w/the weight, causing minor spacing irregularities.
Kennon Johnson
Original Author
4 years ago
@greg_2015 thanks, not sure about the tile touching...we regret the tile we chose as it’s a herringbone pattern and more suitable to an experienced tile setter.

hoping once grouted it will look OK but sounds like it is worth asking to replace a tile.
Kennon Johnson
Original Author
4 years ago
@Beth H. :I have to think there is No way he didn’t see them. no idea why he used the sheet with cracks. Ugh
PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
have these been sealed yet? before he grouts, I'd go over the tiles with a sealer (carefully just wipe the tops and don't let it drip over the sides. let set for a min or two and buff completely dry)

pre sealing helps w/grout release. you'll need to seal a few more times after grouting has cured.
PRO
Flo Mangan
4 years ago
Absolute mess. Hard to believe anyone would think this is ok.
just_janni
4 years ago
Honestly - grouting it will NOT make it look better. It's likely to draw even more attention to the misalignment. Any amount of contrast in the grout color will scream at you "poor job!"

Fix everything now - it rarely gets easier or less expensive if you wait.
Kennon Johnson
Original Author
4 years ago
@Beth H. :any brand of sealer you recommend?
PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
I like these 2 (or Sealers Choice gold)

and if you don't want any color change, don't get the enhancing sealer.
cat_ky
4 years ago
Quite honestly, you have more problems there than the broken tiles. The install is not good at all. Spacing is uneven. it looks really bad. Have you been watching him and taking pictures? Did he even waterproof underneath? This in my opinion should be all torn off, and completely redone, with a tile person that actually knows how to tile.
PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Kennon,,,post a picture showing the entire wall. and post a pic of one of the tile sheets laid flat on the floor. let's see how it looks

these little 1x2 mosaic herringbones will always have inconsistent spacing.
User
4 years ago
Agree with all of the above. You have much bigger problem than just a few cracked tiles. Get an actual tile professional involved now. Stop the work until you do. You will regret moving forward with someone who did this in the first place.
PRO
JAN MOYER
4 years ago
I'd be a LOT more worried what this contractor did BENEATH that tile................I am talking about a totally waterproof shower : (
ci_lantro
4 years ago
I would start over. With larger tile.

Have you given any thought of what a nightmare it will be to clean all those grout lines?
User
4 years ago
The spacing issues is the terrible quality of the tile. You can’t turn pigs ears into silk purses. Especially when you aren’t using a good seamstress you begin with.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
This is a mess and now is the time to deal with it . I too would be concerned about the waterproofing . Where did you find this person? Did you check references? These are things that are on your head . IMO a poor choice of tile for shower walls but that is another topic.
chiflipper
4 years ago
Sadly, you did not perform due diligence, an hour or two spent reading Houzz posts on selecting tile, and shower construction, would have avoided this mess. Keep in mind, this is the part you can see. If this is poorly done (which it is), why would the waterproofing (which you can't see) be any better?
Carol Young
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Having just gone through with a two bathroom remodel, I understand why you are worn down. We found a GREAT tile setter and all is even. You will regret this if you don't stop and fix this right now. Don't let the contractor take advantage of you being worn out. Fight for it...you and you only have to live with it.

Tile-setter put cracked mesh mounted tile on shower wall -wwyd?!

greg_2015

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Avanti Tile & Stone / Stonetech

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Tile-setter put cracked mesh mounted tile on shower wall -wwyd?!

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