Weird lines visible from mosaic tile—is this normal?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

We are approaching the end of a very long and exhausting home renovation. We've been working with a firm that specializes in the design and building process and for the most part their design work has been great, but the executing side of things has been very disappointing. I think for the most part people working on our project were checked out months ago, and it shows in the house.

Our tiler finished the grouting a few days ago and now that the grout is in I noticed the tiles seem really off, but I thought I'd check here before I bring this up to see if this is typical or if I'm overreacting.

In our master ensuite we have hexagonal mosaic tiles and you can basically see the lines from the sheets of tile on the wall. Is this common?

I noticed it is also like this in our powder room which was also mosaic sheet.

Is there anything that can be done to salvage this? Or do we just have to live with it? Obviously it's not that big of a problem, but we invested quite a lot of money into this project and went with a design/building firm that had wonderful reviews hoping to get quality work done.

Would love to hear what someone else thinks about the tile and if it can be fixed. Thanks!

Featured Answer

Beth H. :

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

while it's not a horrible job, the real culprit is the overhead lighting that intensifies the unevenness of the wall. your wall is not perfectly plumb. some tiles sit 'further in', and the light casts shadows from the row above it. if you install better lighting that lights the entire wall, you prob won't see much. turn off the lights and take a pic w/your flash from straight on. it will prob look better.

if you look at the top portion that's getting the most light, the tile looks fine. I really don't get those grid marks that a lot of tilers do (by not staggering the sheets). it's difficult to get every single grout line perfectly lined, because often the tiles on the sheets themselves are sometimes askew. the only way to get a perfectly looking shower wall, is start w/a perfectly level/plumb/flat base.

also, put a level on your shower floor, horizontal, on the first row that borders the back wall. is it level? it looks like it undulates.

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Comments (9)

alex9179
8 years ago
It's a common mistake but not one a good tile-setter would make. I think that your options are to live with it or tear it out and redo it. If you hire someone else, ask to see work using this type of tile. Also, educate yourself on the methods to avoid the alignment issues with mosaics and make sure they're used.

I'm sorry. I'm sure this is a big let-down.
User
8 years ago
The problem originated on the front end with the choice of contractor. https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer
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PRO
Designer Drains
8 years ago
It's very common, the "expensive" contractors will be the guys or gals who do not use the sheet, they will individually place the hexagons or pebbles. I've seen worse, this isnt as noticeable as some i've seen.
Judy Mishkin
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
is it right? no. is it common? sadly yes. you might get used to it, especially when other elements are added to your bathroom.

whats unusual in yours is it seems to be almost a color issue not a spacing one. is your grout completely dry?

what i've learned from my time at houzz... i will never do a non-linear sheet mosaic over a large area.
PRO
NewLinkz
8 years ago
I don't know if this is an option at this point, but if you do replace the wall tile, you can find good quality tile squares in a variety of options that are easy to install, and won't cost a lot at all compared to an all out re-do with an installer. Check out a few ideas here https://www.houzz.com/projects/1509556/wow-tiles-bold-unique-elegant
User
8 years ago
From what I understand, in order to avoid seeing the visible sheets, they should be installed staggered and not laid out in straight lines like you have here. I would not accept that if it was installed in my home.
blondelle
8 years ago
I would put a tile covered shelf over the worst part and put some candles of decorative containers for shampoo, etc. It will throw a shadow over the tile under it. Maybe you could also cover it with a stylish grab bar.
tatts
8 years ago
The light is hitting the tiles at the top at a more direct angle (steeper to the surface) that at the bottom (where it's more of a glancing blow). The shallow angle that the light hits at the bottom exaggerates the imperfection.