Pic of the WORST tile job?

[Houston Remodeler]

Went to give an estimate yesterday. Slate right over plywood. I wonder if the self -demo'ing tile was a selling feature

[silvercitytile]

yikes i wonder whats under the curb

[LaFlamme Contracting]

the duct-tape grout replacement was a nice touch

[MakenaTile]

Isaac-
I can't even remember how many times I've replaced tile that was installed over Colloquium/vinyl adhesive. But the worse had to be the bathroom in a very old home I decided not to do a bid on. The room stank and the old vinyl squares moved when you stepped on them. I pried up a corner tile- then the one below it- revealing a 3rd layer that someone thought adding nails would help the liquid nails hold it to the completely wet rotten plywood below it.

For those who may not know... you cannot glue vinyl with Liquid Nails. It cannot
dry- does not cure. Instead- it mutates into a very gooey mess that either attracts water or releases its own liquid that is amber colored and stinks.

The only thing that dissolves it is acetone.
Ripping it out is a sticky nightmare with bad fumes. I passed on that one.


They need basic rules posted in DIY stores.

DIY GROUND RULES
Don't use mastic to set tile on floors, shower pans, in pools
Don't use Liquid nails to glue down Vinyl
Don't use cheap thin set on walls without adding some addmix.
(it really wont stick for very long)
Don't use self leveler with out using the primer first- it wont stick at all.
Do not mix gray and white thin set together when mixing mud- it takes 3 days to cure.
Don't try to thicken watery thin set with powdered grout. Doesn't stick.
Don't Grout slate, unsealed clay pavers, or sandstone with out sealing it first- seal it even before you install it.
Don't use gray grout behind see thru glass tiles.
Don't nail thru liner
don't start shower pan with the liner-

I could go on forever.... Maybe it should be its own thread
INSTALLATION DON'TS

[JTile]

Originally Posted by Janna

Do not mix gray and white thin set together when mixing mud- it takes 3 days to cure.

That one is new to me. I know I've done it a handful of times before. Can you elaborate?

[tilelayer]

Justin you beat me to it, I know your not supposed to change thinset colors on a job, I tiled a floor the other day with 252 white and grey mixed together. I walked on it the next day, the tiles were dry I mean they moved.

[Hammy]

What does thinset color have to do with it IF it is the same brand?

Hammy

[Houston Remodeler]

I've mixed colored thinsets with no problems.

[gsr]

Sometimes things work a little differently here in the islands.

[Houston Remodeler]

Ah, the difference between mainland water and island water....

[Saldibs]

Can't ever remember having a problem when I mixed white with gray thinset, maybe it has to do with the brand you use.

[ceramictec]

maybe her water has sugar in it

[tilelayer]

or maybe her sugar has water in it

[ceramictec]

[vrusso123]

" can you replace this piece of base....."