Repair Of Grout Joints?

drywallr41

I was asked by a homeowner we did framing and drywall for if we could repair the grout joints in her new tile that was layed.I am in no way a tile man nor do I claim to be,but she was very good to us during the time we were at her home and by all accounts she has stated she cannot reach the man that did her tile. So I'd like to help out.what can we do? re-grout ,or what any suggestions would be great.Thanks in advance

Burby

What is the problem with her grout joints? grout popping out? cracking? Installed on the Walls, floor?

There may be a problem the setter knew about and for what ever reason, now he has been paid and knows she may be calling because of the problem, he may be avoiding her for this reason.

It sucks when a H/O is in this position but is great you offering to help out.

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rservices

If it's a mater of filling in low spots I would go for it, just let them know that there is always the possibility that there maybe a slight difference in the color, even with the same manufacture.

I would caution her about additional problems. If the work in new and she's already having problems their could be a problem with the subfloor.
Not every floor can be tiled, it has to do with the floor being strong enough to be able to support the weight without movement. Some times that requires reinforcing the subfloor with additional plywood or from underneath, with additional joist supports.

I'm sure that if you touch that floor you will be voiding any warrentee on that floor.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION WILL ROBINSON DANGER DANGER

drywallr41

The problem seems to be with the floor tiles. the grout is cracking and in some spots coming out all together.I think I might be able to just re-grout those spots and use a sealer to help.I've tried myself to reach the guy that installed the tile with no luck also. I do know that he used hardi backer ontop of the sub-floor. as far as what else he did or didn;t do I was finished with my end and had left the job. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.Thanks guys.

Burby

For this to be happening this soon, especially completely popping out, there will probably be a problem discovered under the tile. To clean & grout again would be a waste of time & money, in my opinion, without first determining the problem.
2 things you could offer this customer would be, 1 she contact the tile company & ask a rep to take a look at the problem. or 2, she could ask the tile company to recommend a qualified tile guy in your area to inspect & offer recomendations. Sometimes it is less expensive to pay someone to inspect, write up findings & proper way to repair, than is to constantly put a bandaid on a problem that won't go away until properly repaired. If the tile does need to come up & be replaced, if inspected by a tile setter, not wannabee, and she can afford to have the job done a 2nd time he may not even charge for the inspection.
Anytime I suggest to a H/O about having another inspect a problem I explain to them they should expect to pay a service fee, I never offer another's time for free, not my place to, if not charged for the service, the H/o ends up ahead. He or she could charge for the inspection, then if asked to do the job, waive the fee if so choose to.
This would be the least expensive route for you to take while still offering your help. Your time is money and also am sure you don't want another taking on the liability of someone who should be held liable.

That is my opinion and if asked by a H/O, what I would & do & or offer.

One inspection I did not to long ago found the floor was ample enough for the weight of the new tile, removed a few pieces of tile & discovered no screws in the cement board, removed more tile and discovered the (wannabe) tile setter only nailed the perimeter of the cement board, yup used 1-1/4" roofers to fasten the edges only.
When met with the owner of the Company, his response was, "can't trust subs any more, he said he had all this experience"
Hearing that makes ya want to that is another story.. If you are hired to do a job and you hire a sub to do the work, his / her lack of experience or just performing a less than quality job as should, that does not relieve you of liability. It is amazing the number of times I have heard this as an excuse for sub standard work.
In the end it did still cost the H/O more than it would have to have had the job completed the proper way by one capable of performing the work the first time.

__________________
Proud to help make a house your Home

Never judge another by one's own intelligence

TileLady

If tile isn't you're 'thing', best stay away from the situation. Don't offer any opinions, etc. because it could become a sticky situation between the HO and original tiler. Grout should not be cracking and coming up this early on. There's much bigger problems going on and you certainly don't want to get caught in the middle of it.

The best thing you can do for the HO is to offer sound advice. That would be to tell them to contact the original tile company regarding the situation. The problem may not even have to do with the installation itself, rather something related to the floor, settling, etc.

I can tell you from first hand experience, a situation like this isn't good so avoid it because it may become your problem once you get involved.

Bud Cline

If you touch it and it fails again...the failure becomes yours. There could be any number of reasons for the first failure and I can guarantee you it isn't only because the grout was crappy to begin with. This issue needs to go back to the original installers.

drywallr41

I appreciate everything you guys offered/suggested and agree I don't want/need anymore headaches than I have already.Have a great week,off to the jobsite.Be safe