Tiling advice - disaster with builder

[clockworkdog]

Hi

I'm new here and am after some advice. I've had a bit of a nightmare with my builder (removed Mod 2. in case anyone is interested). He developed my house and to say it was difficult is an understatement. I've just won a court case against him for the bathroom for which after the shower floor leaked through the ceiling continuously from day one. After numerous repairs attempts over 18 months, and experts saying the whole thing had been installed incorrectly (even he acknowledged it should be ripped out) - he then walked away having had the money and left the floor ripped up and ceiling open. Anyway - that court case is now won.

He also tiled by 30' x 26' kitchen / famly room with 600 x 600mm porcelain tiles over underfloor heating (Wundafloor) which has the polysyrene base. From day one, grout was cracking and coming out. Anyway, so far 11 of these tiles have cracked. I've lifted one and can see that only a couple of small dots of adhesive have been used. That doesn't seem right to me?

I know the floor was laid only a week after the screed went down, and the grouting was done a couple of days after the tiles went down.

Is this method of laying a floor right? I know I will need someone to come and replace the 11 tiles, but what about the rest? I am worried these will also crack.

I don't expect him to be interested so will have to foot the bill myself for £2000 new tiles, ripping up and reinstallation unless I end up going down the court route again.

Thanks for any advice.

Andy Barnes

[moderator2]

First, I have removed the Builders details from your post.

Second, this is better asked in tiling, I'll move it.

[wine~o]

It all sounds rather a nightmare. The screed should have been allowed to dry before the tiles went on; normally allow 1mm per day for this (100 mm 100 days) although with careful use of the underfloor heating (Started low and gradually increased) this could be halved;

the tiles should have been laid on a full bed of adhesive anything else will cause cracks/failure sooner or later.

In conclusion, lift all the tiles. Allow the screed to dry fully. Re-tile. Get a tiler in, not a general builder (Said the Handyman )

and get a couple of quotes and ask for references... real ones not chuck-a-trade or whatever.

[kingnewport]

What he said

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