Bathroom remodel mistake - need advice!!!

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

i just spent a lot of money on a bathroom remodel. I’m a single lady and dont have anyone to help me so hoping so I can get some advice here! The tiling job was not great - they refused to go to the ceiling saying that bc the house was not even and also bc the tiles on the ceiling would crack. The frame of the tiles is an ugly metal, not even a tile frame. the baseboard is a cheaper metal covering.

I chose this contractor bc they gave me a choice of material (tiles/fixtures) to choose from in order to stick to my budget. I didn’t have to go out shopping myself. Big mistake.

The grout on the floor also cracked and shower shelf also cracked. They said they’d fix it. But this is 7 months after the remodel.

I really keep fixating on the bathroom. I still will live in my house for the next 4-5 years and then I’d like to sell eventually so I’m worried buyers might not like the bathroom.

I need advice as I have no idea what I’m doing. Do I hire someone I know could re-tile better? It’d just cost me and extra few thousand Plus choosing new tiles. Or am I being crazy and just leave it? Any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!!

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Beth H. :

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

You think it's green board?? This is a pic of green board out side of the shower. the gray is cement board and is used in wet areas

Green board is NOT suitable, and should not be used for a shower wall, even with a waterproof membrane painted. (or did they use something else like the Orange waffle lining?)

if you had pics of the 'process' it would help. That means, "pictures taken at each step of the process". Pictures of the wall substrate they used before tiling, and how everything looked before the first tile went on the wall.

like this

also, what's behind the shower boards? is there a vapor barrier like this? or did they apply a waterproofing membrane on the gray boards?

this is a window wall like yours. you should have insulation, and then a plastic vapor barrier, then the cement board. no waterproofing membrane is needed if he did this:

after that, all the joints get taped and mortared. screw holes too.

do you not like the tile itself? the white subway tile? the floor tile?

take away the curtain and snap another pic

as for fixing the wall tile to go all the way up, that would mean making all the walls flush and level, which means more money. Maybe for the budget you had he wasn't able to do it.

do you use the tub? is it the only one? if it's not, you could have just a shower in there.

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Comments (18)

User
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Post in process pictures. What is behind the tile is more important than the tile.
Jillian Olsen thanked User
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
it's not horrible.

the grout in the floor can be fixed. scrape out any loose stuff and apply some newly mixed. it may not match exactly, but should be close enough.

i don't know if you just keep calling the contractor and he refuses to come out, or what's happening there. you can try leaving a negative review if they still refuse. But try calling everyday. If they refuse, then I guess you're on your own.

any idea what grout they used?

The 'frame' you're talking about is called a metal edging. Schluter is one maker of them. they are used if there are no bullnose edged tiles to finish the outside edge.

the tile job itself looks ok, but you have the shower curtain covering half of it, so I really can't see.

where is this shelf you're talking about?

Hopefully what's behind the tile is properly done.
Jillian Olsen thanked Beth H. :
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shirlpp
3 years ago
What do you want to have re-tiled? Shower? Floor? The floor tile is a nice selection.
Jillian Olsen
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for responding. Shower wall the gap at the top is bothersome plus metal frame irritates me
Jillian Olsen
Original Author
3 years ago
Beth H - thank you. The contractor will come eventually I just have to keep calling. I cover the tile with the shower curtain on purpose bc I don’t like it. I suppose I could apply my own grout.

I think behind the wall is green board? they said, water proof material. i think they’re reputable and did a solid job underneath tile.

im more bothered about the tile job. The tile just seems cheap.

do you have any ideas for fixing the wall tile? Color schemes etc.?

btw thx for the education on frame, I has no idea!
Jillian Olsen
Original Author
3 years ago
Celadon - what do you mean process pics?
jslazart
3 years ago
I like the Schluter edging, personally, and I don't think it looks off in your bathroom. It also sounds like they noted that your ceiling was not level and taking the tile to the ceiling would have highlighted that. I don't really see the problem there either. You could have pushed back if it was more important to you to go to the ceiling. In all, I can't stop you from hating it, but I don't think a potential buyer will be put off at all.

Now, whether it was waterproofed correctly is a different thing. If you didn't watch or take pictures, you might ask what system they used (e.g., kerdi, red guard, ...) when they come to fix whatever is cracked, just for good measure.
Jillian Olsen thanked jslazart
jessupjl06
3 years ago
I prefer the metal edging over bullnose and don’t mind at all that the tile stops short of the ceiling.

Of course it’s your bathroom so you should be sure you are getting the end result you hoped for, but from a resale perspective there is nothing off putting here IMO.
Jillian Olsen thanked jessupjl06
Jillian Olsen
Original Author
3 years ago
Jillian Olsen
Original Author
3 years ago
Jillian Olsen
Original Author
3 years ago
Jillian Olsen
Original Author
3 years ago
Sorry but my post Deleted 3 times bc I had too many pics maybe. I think they used cement board in the shower but I’ll have to confirm the other items Beth noted.

just posted pics of the gap at the top, any way to close the gap? I was thinking of painting the walls a Taupe to warm the space up so it matches the rest of my house. maybe a different shower curtain? also the light fixture is already rusting as seen in my pic :( is that normal?
Jillian Olsen
Original Author
3 years ago
Also, the gap is uneven it slants so the right side is a smaller gap then the left side.
Lisa
3 years ago
What a frustrating situation. Perhaps you could forget your contractor and find someone else to finish tiling to the ceiling? Next time, hold back some money until you are satisfied.
Jillian Olsen thanked Lisa
Melissa R
3 years ago
they didn't bring the tile to the ceiling because then they would have had to cut tiles and make it work...ass hats. You CAN tile to the ceiling. You may end up with some slivers though. I think even slivers would look better than leaving that small space untiled.

As far as the edge...I LIKE Schluter edge. Much more modern than using a tile trim.
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
a good tile person could have tiled up to the ceiling without any issue.

you could try having a new tile guy cut the same type of tile and fill in the space.

Or, use a tile chair rail molding. I believe this is a type of Cap Molding

Or, do a decorative piece of tile.

Or, fill in the gap with a vinyl crown molding

you could also see if a tile guy could use some quarter round tile molding on your outside edge since you don't like the metal. not sure if this would work though

pencil liner molding
Jillian Olsen thanked Beth H. :
Jillian Olsen
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you so much for your suggestions everyone! these options make it look more finished. I think I’m going to forget this contractor and find someone else once I save a little more money. $13k later I had no clue what I was in store for :(