Help in South Atlanta

I need some "good' referrals for a steam room job.

Here's my situation:

I'm building a house.
Builder abandoned the job with unpaid bills (another story).

I have been having to learn about tile (this site is great).

I hired a tile guy.
He installed 1/4" hardi everywhere (incorrectly). He also built a wood bench in the steam area and had no intentions of water proofing.
He's gone.

No 2 tile guy was just as bad, crooked tile, drunk, and rarely showed up to work.
He's gone.

No 3 is great. Very experienced with installs and tear-outs. He likes Red Guard. We negotiate a price and he vanishes.

I'm now looking for No. 4.

Here's what I have left:

4.5 x 5 double shower
liner is installed
steam unit is roughed in
walls have hardy backer that must come down.
wood bench was torn out but I need a concrete one built.
two of the walls are exterior walls with cellulose.
there is a basement below.

1 standard tub surround
needs backer board
needs tile
one exterior wall, upstairs

1 standard tub surround
needs tile
one exterior wall, upstairs

laundry room
need 8" x 10" x 8' step (in garage) made and tiled

master bathroom floor and tub (whirlpool) surround
needs 25-50 pieces of tile re-cut and replaced


It's funny how many "pros" are out there that don't have a clue.
That's semi-excusable. They're ignorant and there's hope. They should come here and learn.

But what's amazing is when one of these "pros" try to take advatage of you.
Sadly enough, the same garbage is in my industry as well.

I only wish that I had the time, experience, and energy to do it myself.
Thanks to this forum, I at least have some knowledge of what is right.

So, if you guys could refer me to someone how is knowledgeable, skillful, experienced, ethical, prideful, and hardworking, it would be greatly appreciated.

If you don't want to post someone's info on this thread then email me at
wilch**@**comcast.net (remove the **)

Again, Thank you to everyone for making an informative and civilized forum.

David

I have always found my best subcontractors through suppliers.
I have purchased tile from an outfit on the southside at the Pep Boys warehouse exit - Zumpano Tile - several Atlanta locations. I would bet that they would give you a good recommendation (they would steer you away from those with substance abuse problems or erratic work habits).
Good luck

[Steven Hauser]

Hi David,

I'm sorry for your trouble.

I am in Greenville SC.

Let me know how it goes.

We'll try to help you through the process.

One thing to consider is to get a certified building inspector to go through the place.

Every time I find out about a situation like yours there usually are problems that are apparent to the trades but for some reason they say nothing to you.

Let's start there.

From there posting pichers (pictures) will be helpful in guiding you thorugh the process.

Heck, you may find out that you might just want to do it yourself.

Maybe not, Either way you will be one fine superintendent/owner.

Keep your humor because you will need it.

Best wishes,

Steven

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have always found my best subcontractors through suppliers.
I have purchased tile from an outfit on the southside at the Pep Boys warehouse exit - Zumpano Tile - several Atlanta locations. I would bet that they would give you a good recommendation (they would steer you away from those with substance abuse problems or erratic work habits).
Good luck

Good idea but that's how I found tile man no. 3, the one who never started work.

Isn't they're a supply house in tucker somewhere?

[John Bridge]

Hi David,

Sorry you're having so much trouble. I would stick with what unregistered said, though. Referrals are your best shot.

Substance abuse? Why not just call a spade a spade? Drunks and dope addicts is what they are.

Ok,

Today I spoke with another tile man who said he likes to waterproof with Gold Coat or Ultra-set. Are these like Pro-red and Red Guard?

He said that he usually just seals the screw holes. I didn't like that. But he said that he would be willing to seal everything. He also didn't mention anything about a moisture barrier behind the duraroc.

What do you guys think?

TIA,
David

[Steven Hauser]

Hi David,

If you are going to apply a moisture barrier, yes ultraset is one as well I havene't used the other, then you don't need a vapor barrier behind the CBU.

Sounds like y'all might make it work out.

Let me double check with you guys and make sure I understand everything.

starting from the studded walls:

1. slope ceiling (this seems cotroversial here, but can't hurt)
2. pan/liner on floor.
3. attach poly or some sort of moisture barrier to the walls and ceiling.
4. attach duraroc to walls and ceiling with corrosion proof nails or screws.
5. tape all duraroc joints with frberglass.
6. apply the water-proofing membrane...noble seal, schuluter, pro-red, red guard, ultra-set(?), or gold coat (?). Paint-on poducts get 2-3 coats.
7. thin set and tile. I am using porcelain. was told to use thin with high sheer strength. I believe that i bought single flex (hydroment).

did i miss anything?

TIA,
David

[madmax]

The owner is probably half the problem. One builder and 4 tile contractors later. I doubt they were all bad.

Originally Posted by madmax

The owner is probably half the problem. One builder and 4 tile contractors later. I doubt they were all bad.

Madmax,
Thank you for the "Help in South Atlanta."


To the rest of the forum,
Does anyone feel challenged and/or desire for me to justify details why I fired "2" tile layers? It might actually be useful to newbies like me in another thread. I don't have problem contributing to this forum.

Concerning the builder, criminal charges are pending and I will not discuss that matter.

[John Bridge]

Don't get upset, David. It's an open forum. People say what they are thinking.

But I don't think you have to justify anything. You asked for a referral. If you end up getting one, great.

[Jim Farrell Tiler]

From what i have found , once the word spreads about a certain job (no matter who is at fault) everyone stays away because the last man on the job carries the can for all the others who have come before him. Jim

[LadyGodiva]

Gosh, I sure hope you find someone reliable.

[RandyL]

HEy,,,,why do walls have to be insulated for a stream shower? and the news I have is that your ceiling if left flat ,takes roughly 45 minutes to start dripping water. HOT water too, there was a thing going around that the water is cold when dripping but its not.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by RandyL

HEy,,,,why do walls have to be insulated for a stream shower? and the news I have is that your ceiling if left flat ,takes roughly 45 minutes to start dripping water. HOT water too, there was a thing going around that the water is cold when dripping but its not.

Good luck!

Hi Randy,
Just to clearify, the steam shower is located in the corner of the house. Only two of the walls of the steam room are insulated because they are exterior walls.

Concerning the sloped ceiling, I can't agree or dissagree with you. Everything that I know about steam shower, I learned here. And that topic seems to be debatable.

LadyGodiva,
Thanks for the support. That's why I came here, looking for somone reliable.

Anyone,
Have any experience with Gold Coat?
Is it the same as Red Guard?

Thanks,
David