Pic of the WORST tile job?

[Houston Remodeler]

Skip posting on the web. Wait about 3 months and send the HO your card and a nice letter.

[Lump]

Letter should start out as; Dear HO sorry to here about your shower leaking into you cereal bowl......

[Lump]

The only thing I see wrong is that the sticker is still on the drain...should really remove that sticker so thinset, oh I mean mastic can plug that thing up.

[GatorFan]

When I saw this pic I asked why self-leveled wasn't used over the heat system and he deleted that comment also. I can only image the lippage and lack of contact that the thinset has with the floor.

[Houston Remodeler]

is that mastic smeared all over the face of the tiles?

[Lump]

He/she probably has more coverage on the top of the tile than the bottom. On a different note I myself always membrane over heat systems....just makes sense.

[GatorFan]

I think it is thinset. He had a bag in one of the other pics. I'm wondering how he got the thinset to bond to the concrete slap thru the wires since he didn't prime the slab and pour a leveler over the mat. Based on some of the pics I would guess they didn't use a trowel with big enough notches.

[Tiger Mountain Tile Inc]

In the shower he may be using a surface membrane... over the tile?

Seriously, I would contact the HO privately (not publicly so all his FB friends can see) and let him know his shower is being done incorrectly and it's going to leak. This can't be done in an argumentative or "I told ya so" manner.

You might get the job out of it now, or very likely when he knows it's failed and realizes you tried to save it part way through.

[GatorFan]

I have been wondering if I should contact the HO. I still have her email address. The honest side of me wants to tell her, but I also have reservations about it because she questioned my bid because I didn't price doing her drywall, painting, glass door, etc... When I explained that I specialize in tile installation not all those other things I didn't hear from her. Then I see pictures of improper installation from Mr. Do It All (incorrectly). IDK!!

[Tiger Mountain Tile Inc]

I'm no expert in customer relations, so take this for what it's worth.

I would handle it like this:

Send an email to her with the intent of "just letting her know." I would let her know that her shower is being built improperly, you can almost guarantee it will leak, and that her money will be wasted.

I might even mention that she shouldn't pay her installer until a flood test is done proving the pan doesn't leak.

I would use phrases like "My concern is..." "I'm worried that..."

I wouldn't attempt to get the job. My concern would be that she's wasting her money.

I would send one email and that's it. She may or may not get back to me, she may get angry, or whatever. But at least my conscience would be clean.

[Jim Farrell Tiler]

they took the cheap price they get what they pay for

[Higher Standard Tile]

On one hand I think you should call and tell them what they are getting. On the other hand they will probably take it as sour grapes. Plus you are a Gator fan living in Tennessee so you are at a disadvantage.

And for the guy that got the job.

1- Do the job right.
2- If you ignore rule #1 don't put pictures on the internet.

[Mr.Miyagi]

Originally Posted by Isaac

1- Do the job right.
2- If you ignore rule #1 don't put pictures on the internet.

Wise words. That guy is hanging himself. Honestly, there's no way I contact the customer and advise them of the situation. I had the pleasure of working on the same job with a guy that I lost a bath remodel to earlier this year and the experience was near orgasmic. No waterproofing even though there was a niche installed, glass tile cut with a regular saw blade (didn't even bother trying to cut the tile upside down to minimize the blow out), both wall and floor tile just dotted (not even a burn coat) etc. Kept my mouth shut the whole time. Not a word to either the installer or homeowner. IMHO, they deserved each other.

[Meowloud]

I'm usually quiet, but feel the need to add my .2 cents...
I would definitely email the homeowner! Things are too hard for everyone right now and I couldn't sit by idly while some jackleg destroys someone's property. There have been these freaks of nature that actually last long enough to really cause a lot of damage within the framing, etc. I don't wish that on my worst enemy. Also, I would just write everything in a matter of fact style so as to not make it look like I'm taking it personal. I would probably even make it known that I wouldn't or couldn't (because of being too busy) fix it that I was truly just empowering them with information. You may not hear anything from them for awhile but when they're later disgusted with the horrible installation, cracked grout, leaks (all of the above) I'll bet you're the first one they would call because you predicted it all.

[Houston Remodeler]

I would not warn the HO during the process as the contractor could sue for 'tortuous interference' Silly but true. See items 3 & 4