Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 04-22-2008, 05:02 PM   #1
Pro
 
orson's Avatar
 
Trade: Kitchen & Bath
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Millersville, PA
Posts: 1,328

Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


Any reason why myself or my tile guy can't take a 5/32 diamond dremel bit and create a space for a grout joint between these tiles instead of ripping one out?


orson is offline  
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Old 04-22-2008, 05:14 PM   #2
Tile Contractor
 
Bud Cline's Avatar
 
Trade: Building Trades-Specializing in Ceramic Tile
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hastings Nebraska
Posts: 1,216

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


Set up a straightedge for the Dremmel to ride on and it should work. I'm sure you can't do it free-hand. Dremmel offers a foot-attachment that basically turns the tool into a traditional router, this would give you an edge on the tool that would glide along a straightedge.

Assuming you don't already have one!
Bud Cline is offline  
Old 04-22-2008, 05:24 PM   #3
Pro
 
orson's Avatar
 
Trade: Kitchen & Bath
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Millersville, PA
Posts: 1,328

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


Thanx Bud,

I just talked to the tileguy since I posted and he says it's easier to just pop it and replace.

I was gonna use my rotozip w/ base and have someone hold a straightedge for me so I had 2 hands to work with and do it like you said, but if he'd rather pop it off more power to'im.
orson is offline  
Old 04-22-2008, 05:32 PM   #4
Starving Tile Artist
 
wizendwizard's Avatar
 
Trade: Carpentry, Flooring & (UGLY) Tile installs.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,216
Send a message via Yahoo to wizendwizard

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


Yeah it's not grouted yet so just pop it out.
__________________
"If you start the grout process over, you too could use sparkly grout!"
There is no such thing as an illegal immigrant, they are either illegal or immigrants.
I'm Retired, or a student, don't really know anymore.
wizendwizard is offline  
Old 04-22-2008, 06:30 PM   #5
Tile Contractor
 
Bud Cline's Avatar
 
Trade: Building Trades-Specializing in Ceramic Tile
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hastings Nebraska
Posts: 1,216

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


Sounds easy.....any maybe foolish. What damage could be caused to the substrate and the waterproofing (if any?)

Using the Dremmell, all you have to do is remove a small amount of stone at the surface so as facilitate a grout cover. You don't have to remove all the way to the base/substrate.

The Dremel would carry less risk and would be a lot quicker, then you don't have to wait for the thinset to dry to remove any spacers.
Bud Cline is offline  
Old 04-25-2008, 06:21 PM   #6
Pro
 
orson's Avatar
 
Trade: Kitchen & Bath
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Millersville, PA
Posts: 1,328

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


The tileguy turned out to be an expert at popping tiles loose, not sure what this says about his tiling skills but I'm quite confident he didn't damage the waterproofing. I ended up having him remove several other tiles anyway as there were variations in flatness of 1/8" which were particularly noticable down the bullnosed edge. So much for using this highly recommended supposed 25 year tile setting veteran, I could have done it better myself.
orson is offline  
Old 04-25-2008, 06:30 PM   #7
Curmudgeon
 
neolitic's Avatar
 
Trade: carpentry/remodeling/"Yes M'am we do"
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Beech Grove, Indiana, Birthplace of the "King of Cool"
Posts: 11,707

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


Quote:
Originally Posted by orson View Post
..... So much for using this highly recommended supposed 25 year tile setting veteran, I could have done it better myself.
Pretty much sums up my last job as well.

Why is it every time I find a decent tile sub
he move to the Carolinas or some where?
Youse guys is gettin' as bad as the
auto body gypsies!
__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)
neolitic is offline  
Old 04-25-2008, 10:02 PM   #8
Pro
 
orson's Avatar
 
Trade: Kitchen & Bath
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Millersville, PA
Posts: 1,328

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


Also, if anyone needs to borrow my router jig to make the cutouts for 2" tile "dots" actually be square let me know. The homeowner built it for me and it even has a kneeling flange on one side so you can keep both hands on the router.

The homeowner has some time on his hands in case you were wondering....and he's a retired NASA engineer...yes, I'm working for a rocket scientist.
orson is offline  
Old 04-26-2008, 07:22 AM   #9
BUILDER / REMODELING CONT
 
buletbob's Avatar
 
Trade: Builder/Remodeler
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LONG ISLAND N.Y
Posts: 65

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


If your looking to hold the stright edge to the tile to free up your other hand ,get your self a hot glue gun and glue the straight edge to the wall. when your finished just take a block of wood and hit it with your hammer to remove it. The problem I find with cut tiles is that the finish wraps around the edge and when you go to grout it you expose the different color to some degree. It might be just as good to replace the tile. better looking job.Just mo.
buletbob is offline  
Old 04-26-2008, 02:55 PM   #10
tile mason
 
MattCoops's Avatar
 
Trade: tile design & installation
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 1,818

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


Quote:
Why is it every time I find a decent tile sub
he move to the Carolinas or some where?
Come knock on my door. I got work for ya in the Low Country.
__________________
Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more
MattCoops is offline  
Old 05-07-2008, 12:28 AM   #11
Member
 
Twust1285's Avatar
 
Trade: Mudset Marble, Tile, Flooring Professional
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 65

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


I'm sorry to say it, and I don;'t want to sound like a negative nacy, but that is quite possibly one of the worst tile jobs i have ever seen!!!! Did you ask your "tile guy" how it ended up that way in the first place. I really thnik the entire shower should be ripped out and started over, none of those joints are even close to the same width. Also I can;t believe that size joint was used on a wall tile tile they should be butt jointed or at least around a 1/8in joint I mean it's in a shower ha ha I don;t know maybe I'm cranky, I'm just growing tired of seeing poor craftsmanship and having the cheap bids stealing work from quality subs
Twust1285 is offline  
Old 05-07-2008, 10:08 AM   #12
Member
 
nwtile guy's Avatar
 
Trade: Tile Setter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 56

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


I would have to agree with twust on this one except for the butt joint thing. I never butt joint any tile but a 1/16th or 1/8th joint spacing is all you need (most of the time) A small animal could get lost in some of those joints in there!
__________________
Chad
nwtile guy is offline  
Old 05-07-2008, 03:42 PM   #13
my own boss
 
supercrew's Avatar
 
Trade: carpenter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: imperial mo...
Posts: 102
Send a message via Yahoo to supercrew

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


looks like he used the cutoff to start the next course??
except he lost count and used a starter for both ends?
__________________
i only work off drawings
supercrew is offline  
Old 05-07-2008, 09:15 PM   #14
Pro
 
orson's Avatar
 
Trade: Kitchen & Bath
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Millersville, PA
Posts: 1,328

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


Quote:
Originally Posted by Twust1285 View Post
I'm sorry to say it, and I don;'t want to sound like a negative nacy, but that is quite possibly one of the worst tile jobs i have ever seen!!!! Did you ask your "tile guy" how it ended up that way in the first place. I really thnik the entire shower should be ripped out and started over, none of those joints are even close to the same width. Also I can;t believe that size joint was used on a wall tile tile they should be butt jointed or at least around a 1/8in joint I mean it's in a shower ha ha I don;t know maybe I'm cranky, I'm just growing tired of seeing poor craftsmanship and having the cheap bids stealing work from quality subs
Wasn't a cheap bid and I'm not sure what you are seeing but the joints are 1/8th inch, although I can't swear they don't exceed it by 1/32 here and there. I agree that the job is not up to my standards and I won't be using this tile sub in the future, but I think ripping it out is a tad excessive.


Last edited by orson; 05-07-2008 at 09:20 PM.
orson is offline  
Old 05-07-2008, 10:03 PM   #15
Member
 
Twust1285's Avatar
 
Trade: Mudset Marble, Tile, Flooring Professional
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 65

Re: Best Way To Fix This Tile Problem....


In this case I must appologize the first picture posted on the site was not a full shot like this one. Now that I've looked at this most recent picture I take back my comment, the job is not really bad enough to rip the whole shower out at all. So again I will say I am sorry and did not mean my reply to come off as an insult what so ever to you or your work standards. As a matter of fact I have respect for the fact that you would take the time to come on here and get some advice from professionals about how to fix the minor error. I also agree with the decision you made to just pop a couple of tiles off and correct this blemish.
Twust1285 is offline  


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
flooded ceramic tile floor on concrete bmorrisey Ceramic & Stone Tile 2 12-06-2007 09:35 PM
Where is the slate and tile? mhernan@durable Roofing 2 11-19-2007 01:12 PM
Can anyone identify this tile rservices Flooring 4 11-12-2007 11:03 PM
Concrete over old asbestos tile... Cellomangler Flooring 10 10-20-2007 05:52 PM
Bad tile job AAPaint General Discussion 9 07-26-2006 04:56 PM

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Privacy Badge
I am a professional contractor
I am a DIY Homeowner
ContractorTalk.com is for
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS ONLY!

At ContractorTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.

Redirecing in 10 seconds
No Thanks
terms of service

Already Have an Account?