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Please restore the name of doing good business...We are professionals right?
Dark future for tile?
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I'm worrried that tile is going to get a bad rap with all the poor installation I see being done. Yesterday I help a friend grout who got me started with tile and he's putting down 16" tile on 3/4" particule board with 1/4" hardy backer. I asked him if he checked what the deflection of the floor was? Na, did you even look to see how big the floorjoist were. Nope. Then he's telling me about the areas where the floor was so unlevel he's got at least 1/2" of thinset under some tiles to get it somewhat level. Some joints had 1/8 to 3/16" difference between the tiles. I teased him about hoping no one tripped. And he's been tiling over 15 years.
Today I help another friend grout. he's putting down travertine and the GC has him use LUAN for the underlayment and stapled it down with 1/2" X 1/2" staples to 3/4" OSB. I know I'm ranting here but the short sightedness or ignorance of some people just amazes me. With the internet there is no excuse for ignorance. When these installations start failing, I'm worried that people will blame tile instead of poor workmanship.
Don't just stand there.........
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A part of being professional is to be good at what you are doing. This is exactly what I mean by caring about your customers. (not just pocket padding) Your friend's duty was to properly evaluate and let the customer know what is required. (sometimes short cuts end up being the long route) Of course if another professional such as yourself comes along they will totally out shine your friend and you can guess which one will get the recommendation. I sell and distribute diamond products for example. If I do not take the time to access the customer's needs, then I would send them the wrong tools everytime. Common question: What are you cutting?
What size blade do you use? What is the arbor size? Cutting dry or wet? What type of macine are you runing that on?I know sometimes it these questions or this process can be annoying, but without this process you would have to be pretty lucky to get things right.
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Dr. Diamond
Jamaro
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Dr. Diamond
Jamaro
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