Common Problems We Have Encountered
There are some common problems that we have seen with other installers work that you should be aware of. We have repaired many jobs that were not done correctly the first time and would like to share these problems with you so that you can be aware of what to look for.
1. Hallow areas are left under tiles.
Hallow
areas under tiles occur because the installer does not put enough thin
set or mortar under the tile and there are areas under the tiles that
have nothing between the tile and the floor. This is the result of a
lazy installer that is in a rush to complete a project. The installer
may complete the job quickly, but the quality of work is not up to
standards. Hallow spots will cause the tile to crack easily, or may
even cause the tile to become loose in the future. If you tap on the
tile, it will sound like nothing is under it.
Our installers take their time, guaranteeing that this problem does not occur.
2. Uneven tiles
Uneven tiles, or kickers, occur because the installer does not take the time to make sure the tile is level with the other tiles. You may notice one edge of the tile is higher than the other edge. A common reason for kickers is that the installer does not take the extra time to chisel a piece of the flooring out to eliminate small bumps or because the installer does not lift the tile to remove extra thin set. Our installers take extra care to make sure there are no kickers left behind.
3. Uneven grout lines
When
you look at your floor, the grout lines (lines between the tiles)
should all be the same width. If an installer does not make each line
the same width, you will notice thick lines at one end of the room and
thin lines at the other end or you may even have jagged lines. This
problem can occur because an installer does not use spacers (small
t-shaped pieces) between their tiles or because they are in a rush to
finish the project and do not pay attention to the widths.
If
you look at our photo gallery, you will see we leave every space the
same, leaving nice straight lines throughout the entire area.
4. Large gaps between baseboards or walls and the tile.
This is caused because the installer did not cut the tile to the proper size.
Our installers are vastly trained in the different techniques used to cut tiles and will not make this mistake.
5. Jagged tile cuts
The cut edge of the tile should be smooth. If the cut side is jagged, the installer did not use the proper tool to cut the tile.
We
possess all the various tools necessary to cut tile, which ensures the
use of the proper equipment and results in smooth, even cuts.
6. Cracks left in the foundation
It is important that all cracks are filled with a cement like formula before tile is set in place. If the cracks are not filled, the tile could eventually crack. An inexperienced installer may not fill the cracks before setting the tile, causing you problems later on.
We fix problems before they occur and also provide a warranty on our work. You can rest easy knowing that our work is done the proper way.Helpful Links and Information
We have included links that will help you decide the type of tile that suits your needs and the layout pattern. Choosing tile can be very confusing; not only do you need to choose the design, but you also need to choose the type of ceramic tile you will use. Will it be porcelain tile, glazed or unglazed, do you want a high or low water absorption? We have also provided links with information that should be helpful.
Click the links below:
Presented by Robert E. Daniels, Executive Director Emeritus of TCNA (Updated September 2005)
Tile Layout Patterns - Open the file below
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Tile Layout Patterns.doc Size : 0.039 Kb Type : doc |
