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Home Disasters Remodeling Kitchens

Tile job - how bad is it? Can it be fixed?

last year

Here is my backsplash that was recently put in by a professional. I’m not loving it. The top row is uneven and the the corner is not straight. it’s also getting cracks is the grout. One of the edges just seems too thick. Am I too picky? What can be done to fix my issues?

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Comments (5)

Rachel Lee
last year
That looks like handmade tile, in which case, some grout width variations are normal. Stand up and look at it from your working height and distance. You aren’t going to have your nose on the backsplash.
millworkman
last year
The corners and all changes of plane are never to be grouted and should be 100% silicone so that they will not crack like that.
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How bad is this tile job?
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Comments (7)
You have probably already given the contractor more money than he deserves for such lousy work. Insist on a re-do and file a complaint with your state's home improvement commission so legal action can be taken if work isn't redone to your satisfaction. If you don't have a state commission, research what consumer protections are available in your state to help you have the work corrected by the contractor or to receive money back to have it done correctly by another contractor.
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Bad tile job...can it be fixed?
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Comments (10)
Sarah- I was going to suggest discussing the issue with your tile installer, and explaining that you will not accept the product. Some people use payment as recourse. Normally, the grouting is done with a rubber or plastic float, then sponged down. It would be unusual for any metal tools to be used. It really looks like it was cut, perhaps to try and correct something for straightness? It's plausible a metal tool was used to try to scrape down uneven grout after it was dry. In any case, if you leave it as is, you may want to place a bead of clear silicone at the countertop so it is a bit more watertight.
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Bad concrete job, can this be fixed?
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Comments (8)
We bought a house with exposed aggregate front porch and patio below it. I dont know how many years it had been there before we bought the house, but, we lived there 28 yrs, and the porch and patio looked as good when we sold it, as it did when we bought it. It looked nothing like yours, so to me, yours looks like a complete redo.
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Can a bad tile job be saved?
Q
Comments (8)
The idea that once tile is done it's done isn't really accurate. Once it's done to your satisfaction, it's done. The question is, how much time and money do you want to put in, and do you trust the guys that did the install - apparently without using spacers or levels - to actually fix the tile? I think this should all be demoed. I would ask them to do the demolition, repair the walls and credit you for the tile work and materials so you can go with an actual tile setter.
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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
No one is going to see the itty-bitty tile but the cleaning lady. Caulk the plane changes and move on please.
Mikey Gourley
Original Author
last year
Thanks everyone! What about cracks and holes in the body of the backsplash?
PRO
Floored You: TileDesigners
last year
When counters and cabinets are not level, and you have choses an irregular handmade tile, nothing will line up. This is not an A+ install. It is very far from an F. Remove the grout at changes of planes, and caulk, and it will be a solid B.

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