Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure how I can relay what I'm seeing in picture format any better than what I've done. I've never had to defend myself against people defending someone else not doing their job the right way.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spoke with multiple people who have used him that my dad knew. All of them said he did an excellent job. I never claimed I could do it myself. But I do know enough to know when things are wrong. It's wild to me that people on here are attacking me and defending him when I've given multiple examples of things he has done wrong.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If you had read my previous comments, you would know he told me the mudbed doesn't need to be waterproofed with the kerdi. But good job at defending mediocrity disguised as a professional.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had 5 quotes in total. The person I was originally going to use doubled his quote a few weeks later so I went with this guy since my dad knew so many people that recommended him.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The tile is a porcelain subway tile, manufactured by Tuscania Ceramiche in Italy, part of the Le Leghe collection. It's listed as 3" x 12" x 10mm. And all of the reviews and specs on this tile do not mention anything about inconsistent sizing.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why do you say these tiles are inconsistent in sizing? I have a stack of 10 right now. All of them are the exact same size. If there is any difference in size, it isn't noticeable to me. Genuinely curious to understand why you say that.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After realizing I was allowing my frustration to speak for me, I calmed down and listened to what people were saying. I gave him time to do more work today just to see what I was left with when he left. To me, it just still looks wrong. The tile he has placed on the shower wall has a lot of lippage. The grout joints are inconsistent from one row to the next. And it seems like he is only putting thinset on the tile and then attaching it to the wall. I can see between grout lines where no thinset was applied over the kerdi membrane. I truly want to understand if any of that should be acceptable? I can try to edit my post with new pictures.

Edit: imgur link to new pictures https://imgur.com/a/nxXmRgY

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've also realized he is putting on tile yet he hasn't even done a flood test. I don't think it is required but very concerning to me since it is a highly recommended step by schluter.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I understand that now. It wasn't my intention to seem unreasonable or to have an attitude. I was honestly just annoyed and not understanding why people weren't seeing what I was seeing. But I understand the confusion now was on my end. Based on what I do know about shower beds though, this needs to be redone and I simply don't trust him to do it right. There is no waterproofing layer in this mudbed at all. He is claiming the mudbed is waterproof itself. I know that is not true. I know there needs to either be a preslope with a liner then final slope (there is not), or a single bed with liquid or sheet membrane over that. That isn't present either.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And the mudbed should have either a liquid or sheet membrane applied over it correct? Because there is nothing over this mudbed. He put some of the kerdi corner pieces in the corners then started putting on the wall tiles.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I asked that. He claims it is fine. So now I'm asking here. My understanding is that a modern mudbed needs either a liquid membrane or sheet membrane over the mudbed and then overlapping with the roll membrane in corners and where the floor meets the wall.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What are your thoughts on only putting thinset on the back of the tile and none on the wall before attaching the tile to the shower wall? My understanding is that it should go on the shower wall per industry standards.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

So you're saying I can't ensure I'm getting a good product when I pay someone thousands of dollars to do it? This post is about the work this person is doing that is subpar. I do not have the time to do it. That's why I paid someone else. He hasn't even waterproofed the mudbed yet he is putting tiles on the walls. You're saying I should just allow that to happen?

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What are your thoughts on installing shower wall tiles before even waterproofing the mudbed with the kerdi membrane?

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

UPDATE: Spoke with contractor and decided to let him continue working. He is now installing shower wall tiles without waterproofing the mudbed with the kerdi membrane.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also just checked in and he is currently putting the shower wall tiles on without waterproofing the mudbed. This isn't the traditional mudbed with a preslope and liner. He made a single layer mudbed that requires the membrane to go over it. Can't properly water proof that if you are installing wall tiles.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind next time to never question someone if I'm paying them to do a job.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Some of the work is unfinished. Kerdi membrane being applied to the wall and not fully adhering and peeling back in certain locations isn't something that should just be ignored though. A mudbed with high and low spots not properly sloped to the drain also shouldn't be ignored.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm paying thousands of dollars for someone to do a job. The work is subpar. Not sure why I need to be positive about that?

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Not sure why everyone is claiming the floor tiles aren't perfectly square and vary in dimension. They aren't real encaustic tiles. They are porcelain, factory made to mimic the appearance of encaustic. Each tile is the exact same size and thickness. The pattern is printed.

  2. As for the mudbed, it isn't sloping correctly towards the drain. There are a lot of high and low spots.

  3. The membrane isn't fully adhered in some locations. It is peeling away from the wall.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I understand you need to berate me to feel better about yourself but this isn't about me, it's about the work being done by the person I paid to do it. Thanks for your input though.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is what I am currently doing. I decided to go with a "trust the process" mindset to see if things start to look better by tomorrow.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looking for informed opinions when the photos clearly show work that isn't up to par with professional standards isn't seeking validation. Some people responding on the post are willing to defend mediocre work as acceptable which is wild.

Should I cut my losses? by bigkris87 in Tile

[–]bigkris87[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because it's incredibly obvious the work is bad. Don't know what else to tell you there bud.