The background: I am tiling the floors of several rooms with 300+ sq. ft. of honed and filled travertine tile that was selected by the homeowner and that I purchased from Lowe’s. (75% completed with only cut tiles remaining; borders, closets, appliance cavities, closets, and passthroughs) The stones vary in square dimension by up to 1/16″, no problem on the homeowner’s part or mine as the 12″ tile was reasonably priced at $3.51 ea. However, 15% or so of the tile vary by 1/32″ -2/32″ in thickness, and I haven’t felt compelled to caliper each one before it’s laid. And since the layout lends itself to very little waste, I ordered only 10 sq. ft. more than should be required. (3 week delivery window) Also, the stone is large and heavy, and I am setting the tiles in a stiff mortar mix, leaving virtually no opportunity to adjust the height at which they are set.
The problem: One particular tile is set and cured in the middle of a traffic path and is probably the thickest of the 310 tiles ordered. The homeowner lives with her sister, whose diplomacy can be less than world-class, and yesterday the sister stated that the tile presents a hazard to their elderly mother (who visits once or twice a year) and has to be replaced. (I haven’t yet grouted, so the lippage appears more so at this stage). I haven’t yet obtained the homeowner’s opinion.
The question: Remove the tile and mortar, replace it and forget the matter? (HO has a lot more renovation that she wants done). Remove and replace the tile and charge the HO? Ignore the issue, finish the tile job and get the hell out? Some other course of action?
Guess I am more than irritated at this point, since the HO approved the tile, I negotiated a good material price for her and am performing this and other work at a VERY reasonable hourly rate. So, I don’t want to remove the tile for those reasons and, puff puff, probably too much pride and principle. Whadda ya think? Zbalk
Replies
Z,
By the time you get through posting and reading and answering posts.......ya think that adds up to enough time to change out ONE tile??
By the way, and this is my opinion based on experience, natural products commonly vary in thickness. What you discovered is more the norm than it is the exception unless you purchased a product that specifically stated that it is "Guaged".
You should have done what some call "range" the tile. That is; it is your responsibility to make sure that the tiles lay flat and do not stick up one higher or lower than another, in particular tiles adjacent to one another. There are various methods for succesfully achieving this, it is not hard to learn, but it is real easy to screw up.
But what do I know?? I'm just an amatuer hack.
Eric
"But what do I know?? I'm just an amatuer hack."
and a sensitive little fellow at that!
as to the tile ... pop it and get on with life ... you're gonna have to get used to the pop and replace routine if doing any kinda stone work ....
ya always give them a coupla ... just try to pick the thinnest of the bunch for replacement.
JeffBuck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Jeff,
I don't know why you took my tongue in cheek humor out of context and replied to the original poster??
It's not my tile(s) that's sticking up.
I just need to occassionally remind readers what a tiny tiny, tiny % of the family here thinks of my work, not even having seen it.
Sensitive?? Why not?? When was the last time someone attacked you wholesale who doesn't even know you or has not met you??
Smile.
EricEvery once in a while, something goes right!
You might consider trying to grind it flush. Checkm with a marble/granite supplier for a diamond cup for a side grinder. You need to take precautions for the mess, but you could very quickly (5 minutes) get the edges flush.
Course then the HO will want you to grind the entire floor flat...
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
If you have never done it, you may not relize how easy it is to break out one tile and replace it with a new thinner one. Break it , take it out in pieces, scrape mortar done to substrate and mortar in new tile. 20 min max. Good chance to give it a try. You will be the hero with the HO...
Pull the tile and replace it.
Essentially, you've been "warned" that it's a hazard. The liability, perceived or actual, just isn't worth leaving the supposedly hazardous tile in place.
You could go so far as to show the person that hired you, is paying you, and approved the choice of tile, the tile in question and ask if they want it replaced. If they do, they pay. If they don't...simply do it for free.
Popping out an ungrouted tile is a simple task.
it's one tile
If it makes the homeowner happy, why worry about it?
Also, the stone is large and heavy, and I am setting the tiles in a stiff mortar mix, leaving virtually no opportunity to adjust the height at which they are set.
A stiff dry mortar mix gives you an excellent oppurtunity to adjust the height of each tile. As you put down each unit, (in your case, a 12 x 12) you sprinkle more or trowel away less of the mortar so the tile sits just below perfection with a bit of tamping down. By a "little less", I mean an equal deficiency on all sides. The mortar should be dry enough that you can easily remove the tile with a suction cup. Then you butter the bottom of the tile with thinset, using a notched trowel. The tile goes back into the perfect bed and is easily tapped or pushed to the correct level.
How much less the dry mix is than what is needed to set the tile is a function of how thick you like the thinset to be. I have seen folks go with just scratching on the thinnest bit of butter to masons who like a half inch by half inch notch of mud. With 12 by 12's, I like something in between, say a triangle notch of 3/16".
Whatever mix makes you most comfortable, the consistency of mortar should always be your friend, not your adversary.
Thanks PaineB and everyone else. All good advice and opinions. I'm removing the offending tile today and moving on with the project(s). Zbalk
drill a bunch of holes in the tile then crack it withthe claw of your hammer.
Scrape some morter and replace.
Twenty minutes tops....no biggieThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I just hope you'r not setting a precedent and they decide there are a dozen more tiles to be removed next week.