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Remodeling Bathrooms

Shower Tile Help!!

3 years ago

I am in the middle of a master bath renovation with a highly recommend contractor. It’s been a series of one thing after another it seems and he lost his two top guys to COVID mid way. I have some areas in my shower that obviously need to be re-done since the resulting work is not acceptable. He is willing to re-do anything and I have flagged multiple tiles. There is very noticeable differences between the resulting “elevation” if that is a word of the tiles and he said some tiles were bowed. Now I know that is not an reasonable excuse and they should not have tried to use them but I think they pushed ahead since they were already behind schedule with the COVID issue. Is it possible to redo isolated tiles? As you cans see they already started to chip out a tile or do we just have the wall redone from where they seemed to go awry? Also, is the side view of these tiles normal or should I see complete coverage of whatever the heck goes on the back of the tiles and not empty space? I am now second guessing everything and didn’t think I needed to micro manage but now I feel like I better do it if I ever want to confidence in the work and results. Thanks in advance!

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Comments (10)

millworkman
3 years ago
Definitely full coverage with the thinset. The issue with "replacing" tile is the effect it has on the waterproofing. If the tiles were bowed they should not have been used. Is there lippage? Or why are all the tiles tagged that are tagged?
Jen MacK
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes, it is lippage. That is the word I was struggling for! I went to my parents house to check out the install on theirs today. They actually used the same tiles a year ago but a different installer and they had only one tile with a slight bit of lippage but within a reasonable amount. Here are some shots of what mine looks like on that one wall. The first picture is shot from below looking upward and you can see how the tiles are jutting outward on various ends. Ugh. So redoing the whole wall is recommended?
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Do not do that. instead of using the centerline to start tiling in either direction off of it try setting a tile centered over the centerline. What this will do is give you a smaller tile on each end. From there you can cut that off that from from the adjoining wall tile giving the illusion of the full tile wrapping around. As a novice what you should get is a pice of chaulk and a 4' level. Layout your pattern on the wall including grout gaps before you install a single time. Trying to figure it out on the fly will lead to these issues. By the way I hate niches buy glass corner shelves or marble ones. Niches limit height of products stored. 3 shelves in either corner is more than enough and everybody always has more products than they say they will. What you have there look like a mistake and will never look good.
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I like plain 12 x24 porcelian tile for the main bathroom floor and the shower walls. Not sure what you mean by pony wall and where that will be .If you post a floor plan you will get much better help. an 8’ shower is IMO too big to ever warm up in the time of a regular shower. What is the wood look tile for? Where are you planning the accent tile to be? I need to see a to scale floor plan with maybe on just the fllor plan and the other with what you are planning.Mark all windows droorways and the plumbing at least for the toilet unless you are planning on moving that , which BTW is expensive . Mark all measurements clearly and I suggest you use graph paper it makes scale easier to do. As for all the tiles you have posted please label them as to where each will go. What I see of the bedroom looks very rustic , is that the look you want for the bathroom, maybe post pictures of the bedroom since IMO the 2 spaces should be in the same general style.
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millworkman
3 years ago
Yes and unfortunately your "tile setter" is making excuses already so be prepared for push back.
Jen MacK
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you! He said he would do whatever I wanted and I just wanted to make sure I know what is the right thing to request. It’s not an inexpensive job by any means and I am not planning on moving anytime soon so expect this to last at least as long as the original build did which is 20 years!
catbuilder
3 years ago
As they are large format tiles, most likely they are bowed, That is why the manufacturer most likely recommended no more than a 33% offset, rather than the 50% that you used, Even better would be a stacked bond.
Sammy
3 years ago
You need to hire someone new, unfortunately. If this guy knew how to do the job correctly, he’d have done it the first time around.
ci_lantro
3 years ago
Who specified the offset & who supplied the tile?

If the homeowner bought the tile and dictated the offset, I would not fault the tilesetter.
Jen MacK
Original Author
3 years ago
We picked the tile and the tile gallery designer suggested the layout. She’s been with this place and selling this brand for years. Same person who set up my parents with the same tile and design. Contractor ordered and then supplied the tiles. I am not married to any layout and I expected a quality result. If I had been given a heads up on any potential issues, I would have gladly sacrificed any pattern for a quality result. I relied on experts to guide us. It’s not like I went to Home Depot and did this myself. It’s literally been the perfect storm of stuff going wrong with the project unfortunately.
PRO
Mint tile Minneapolis
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
What does your contract's "detailed tile scope" say about industry standards to be met and followed?

I ask becasue there are industry standards for alottable lippage and plane specifications Set forth by the TCNA for just this reason.
PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
The TCNA standards that Mint Tile refers to will also address minimum acceptable mortar coverage for a wet area which is 95%. It appears spot bonding was used judging by the photo's which is never acceptable. The minimum 1/3 offset it also specified to minimize lippage on large format tiles. Large format is any tile with one edge over 15". The manufacturer often stamps this on the packaging. The Tile gallery designer may have steered you wrong and the installer is clearly not qualified. Keep in mind the manufacturer may say 50% offset is OK. That would take the designer off the hook but not the installer.

The Homeowner's Guide to Hiring a Qualified Tile Installer (ceramictilefoundation.org)

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