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Design Dilemma Kitchens

Bad Tile Job - Looking for Advice

2 years ago

We had part of our kitchen backsplash installed and in my opinion not done correctly. All along the edges are pieced together and some of the tiles set on top of each other, leaving no room for grout. Can anyone help me determine what the installer did wrong to have it end up this way?

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Comments (8)

MaryBocaTX
2 years ago
Hopefully, Beth H will weigh in. She’s the ”Queen of the Perfect Herringbone Install.” You should see what she did in her own home - perfection.

She’ll be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck!
Stella Mengels
2 years ago
if you grout it with a light color you will hardly see it anymore.
It then seems more rustic and authentic....
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This just happened to us in a guest bath. I was so distraught and just wanted the guy out of my house so I did pay him and told him how disappointed I was and asked him if he was proud of his work and he said no. I asked what he thought we should do about it and he said well if you hire me to do more work I could fix it then. At this time I considered I was dealing with an unreasonable incompetent, unprofessional and decided to cut my losses and move on. It was not easy as I don't have a money tree in the back yard but I couldn't even look at it. Like you, we had tile falling off and he poured grout and caulk into the places he didn't cut the tile to fit, it was crooked and the thresholds were metal strips he found somewhere that looked more like carpet tack strips. OY VEY. We hired someone else and I had to go and buy new tile because they said it could not be saved. They charged me extra to tear out the old. It makes me sick to think about it, but it looks nice now. Remodeling is not for the fainthearted and heartbreak is nearly always involved. Disappointment in people always included. It can be a little depressing both for the outlay of money and for the things you learn about people that sadden you. Good luck! Cut and run...
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Comments (13)
It's always interesting to see what people focus on. To me, what is horrible is that the tile extends out beyond the two upper cabinets on the far left and far right. Some people like it that way, but it always looks out of place. The corner joints are most likely due to the wall being uneven and no longer plumb or straight so the sheetrock (or durock) underneath may not be flat and straight. Not much a tile setter can do about that.
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BP DIYer
2 years ago
I’m not a big fan of herringbone because it is tough to get it right and look nice. I’d grout it and then decide. If you match the grout to the tile the best you can many of the issues will disappear.
Melissa R
2 years ago
it doesn't look bad at all. I'm not sure if tiles are touching, which I think would be the fault of the manufacture because of the layout on the mesh, or if some of the mortar squished between the tiles. If it's mortar they can file out a bit and the grout can go on top, if it's placement on the mesh, not much can be done.

If this were my backsplash I'd get it grouted and enjoy. I think you would lose if you choose to fight.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
The tile setter could have been more careful about the spacing but not horrible I agree probably a nice gray grout to match the gray in the tile will do the trick . IMO it will be dated in a short time and need to be replaced . I am always curious what the counter material is with those marble tiles since I really dislike real stone next to plastic quartz.
Kate
2 years ago
I used the exact tile for my backsplash and it was a mother to install. I ended firing the tile guy I hired and doing it myself, but it was too late by then. Your tile looks much better than mine and have to say mine looks fine grouted and done and no one notices the bad job except me.
sc_houuzz_21 thanked Kate
Kate
2 years ago
*Patricia, I used the marble tiles on quartzite countertop. Wish I would have done something else, but good for now.
felizlady
2 years ago
Obviously not done by a tile professional. When I have tile work done, I hire a person who works for the tile provider or a known-to-me outside pro. AND I never leave a contractor alone to work until the job is far enough along that I feel confident with the tiler’s work. The person who pays for the job has a right and an obligation to observe everything.

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