Tile failures come in all shapes and sizes. Some crop up as imperfections that only detract from the aesthetics of the installation. Unfortunately, failures in wet locations usually mean mold and rot and damage that can only be fixed by tearing out and starting over. Water is the enemy of all things man-made, and there is no more harsh test of materials and methods than a bathroom.
I visited a project with one of my designers a few weeks back that was completed by another builder approximately 4 years ago. I was asked to look at some tile issues and possible leaks. After such a short time, I was rather surprised they were already having issues.
There are three baths to this project that were remodeled around the same time. The master bath has a marble floor with a visibly crack from wall to wall and a steam shower curb that has cracks between materials and tile falling off in places.
Another full bath with a custom shower also has curb problems and looks to be leaking downstairs.
The last bath has an acrylic tub with tile surround. The joint between the tub rim and wall tile is cracked around the entire perimeter (it was grouted solid--no sealant). When you stand in the tub the crack widens up and the rim of the tub flexes down.
In all of these baths there are indications the tile installer was a poor craftsman. Clumps of grout left in corners, no movement joints anywhere, lipage, open gaps between different materials that can only be seen from a ladder, etc.
These pictures are sickening. Much was spent on these renovations. Lots of care was put into the design and material selections--and I can guarantee the owners thought they would be enjoying these renovated spaces for many many years before having to deal with water leaks, cracked tile, and curbs that are falling apart.
This work wasn't done be a guy in a beat up truck with a rented wet saw. He wasn't a Craigslist Jackleg. The tile sub was a "professional" company. I don't know him personally--I only know him by his work here and on another project which also showed poor craftsmanship.
Master bath:
I visited a project with one of my designers a few weeks back that was completed by another builder approximately 4 years ago. I was asked to look at some tile issues and possible leaks. After such a short time, I was rather surprised they were already having issues.
There are three baths to this project that were remodeled around the same time. The master bath has a marble floor with a visibly crack from wall to wall and a steam shower curb that has cracks between materials and tile falling off in places.
Another full bath with a custom shower also has curb problems and looks to be leaking downstairs.
The last bath has an acrylic tub with tile surround. The joint between the tub rim and wall tile is cracked around the entire perimeter (it was grouted solid--no sealant). When you stand in the tub the crack widens up and the rim of the tub flexes down.
In all of these baths there are indications the tile installer was a poor craftsman. Clumps of grout left in corners, no movement joints anywhere, lipage, open gaps between different materials that can only be seen from a ladder, etc.
These pictures are sickening. Much was spent on these renovations. Lots of care was put into the design and material selections--and I can guarantee the owners thought they would be enjoying these renovated spaces for many many years before having to deal with water leaks, cracked tile, and curbs that are falling apart.
This work wasn't done be a guy in a beat up truck with a rented wet saw. He wasn't a Craigslist Jackleg. The tile sub was a "professional" company. I don't know him personally--I only know him by his work here and on another project which also showed poor craftsmanship.
Master bath: