Tile Demolition Dust Damage

9 years ago

We asked our contractor to be sure and put up a barrier to prevent tile demolition dust from getting into rest of our house. His employee put up a plastic barrier but taped it horizontally thus dust billowed out in between each strip, plus it had a hole in plastic. I was outside and was not aware of this until just before the end of demolition. My house was covered in white dust. (Contractor did send 2 people over to clean 2 days later.

I was unaware that I should have turned off our air conditioning. Thus we have that dust still 9 weeks later coming out of our vents. We will be having our air conditioning ducts cleaned after remodel is completed this week; however, I believe the contractor should pay at least a portion of the bill for cleaning ducts.

Is this expectation reasonable?

We have had multiple problems with this contractor... for example here is a small portion of issues:

1) Tile installed improperly with major lippage, debris in grout, varying sized grout lines - Removed and new installer put in tile at contractor's expense

2) Appliance garage installed crooked, unable to correct. Had it removed and not going to have one

3) Wrong granite installed. Multiple reasons given, it appears fabricator had similar granite to what we choose and they tried to recoup some of the loss from replacing tile. - Removed and Replaced

4) Handles on cabinets not level. - Fixed by my husband

5) Faucet Handle hit granite backsplash! - Dealing with it as is.

I could go on and on... this has been a nightmare. After the backsplash is installed tomorrow, we will owe final payment. I know we owe the money, but I believe contractor should pay for at least a portion of cleaning our air ducts. THX

Featured Answer

Sammy

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

First of all, your share of the blame (as you have described the situation, at least) is ZERO. Regarding the tile dust in the ductwork: If you have flexible ductwork, it cannot be cleaned like traditional sheet metal ductwork can be cleaned--it would tear it up. In addition to addressing the dust that's gotten into the supply ducts, you need to address how much if any of that dust made its way into the return ductwork and subsequently into your air conditioning equipment. Have you checked and/or changed the filter(s) since then?

Regarding the backsplash/faucet handle interference:

5) Faucet Handle hit granite backsplash! - Dealing with it as is.

...After the backsplash is installed tomorrow, we will owe final payment. I know we owe the money

If the backsplash hasn't been installed yet, how is the faucet hitting it?

And yes, you do owe the money, but you owe the money according to the terms of the contract. If the contractor didn't hold up his end of the contract, why would you give him his final payment?

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Comments (15)

PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
Have the proposal for the duct cleaning in hand with your checkbook. Tell him you'll pay him his balance minus the cleaning. I doubt you'll get any objections.
jellytoast
9 years ago
Does he know that you are still experiencing dust from the air ducts 9 weeks later? He might be willing to pay for the cleaning without an argument.
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Susan Werthem
9 years ago
Thank you all
PRO
Linda
9 years ago
A professional contractor would have blocked off the air return in the demolition area in addition to a correctly constructed dust barrier. As a homeowner, you should not be expected to know more than the contractor about demolition dust. Of course, it would have been nice to have known about shutting it off, but that isn't your area of expertise.

I think you are being quite reasonable to share the cost.
User
9 years ago
One way in which the cheap handyman deal reveals itself . Lippage too. Tough way to lean.
User
9 years ago
What cheap handyman? Did I miss something?
Susan Werthem
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I contracted with a Licensed Building Contractor, not the lowest bid. His sub did tile. I spoke with 6 previous clients and visited 2 homes contractor previously remodeled.
kudzu9
9 years ago
I think you are both to blame. It's pretty obvious to me that leaving the AC on would circulate dust. On the other hand, the contractor should have anticipated the potential problem.
Susan Wer
Original Author
9 years ago
I was assured at the signing of the contract that the tile removal process would be done in a manner that kept it contained and out of the rest of the house. I am not the expert.
User
9 years ago
your GC hired a subpar novice sub and is to brunt the blame. check license and insurance of all subs while your at it if you need more leverage
Susan Wer
Original Author
9 years ago
Sammy, thanks for your thoughtful comments.

Filter: Yes we changed it about a day or 2 after tile removal. It was loaded with white debris. We had just recently replaced it so we knew it was from tile removal. Unfortunately I did not take a picture of it.

Cleaning Ducts: Company we will be using is aware of this and very reputable... known company for 30+ years.

Faucet/Backsplash: Very good point. I did not explain that correctly. The sink has a bar-top of granite for stools on the other side. The granite is the backsplash for that section of the kitchen. The walls will be having stone backsplash and is being put in this week. It was to be installed today... delayed but I am okay with the reason why.

Again thanks for your comments.
Sammy
9 years ago
You're welcome, Susan.
M Gas
5 years ago
Hi Susan Wer,

We had ceramic tiles demolished and now we need to find an air duct/vent cleaning service companypant. May I know what company you used? What was the processes they used? Any special work done? Please give me information. Thanks!
M Gas
5 years ago
Hello all,

Please share any air duct/vent cleaning service that are reliable, excellent and professional. I am in the Houston area. Thanks Thanks!