Help! Questions about needing to redo a tile job w/ waterproof system

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi All,

We are wrapping up a decent-sized renovation project, and we ended up with some tile that looks really bad in a new construction bathroom with a zero-entry shower. We think the floor tile came from an off batch, and we are working to (hopefully) get a refund from the manufacturer. (This is glass tile that comes covered in brown paper, so we did not see it until it was already set on the floor.) The wall tile was a mistake on my part.

Unfortunately, all tile in the room is now fully adhered but not yet grouted. (The wall tile is only 2/3rds installed.) We got a $5700 quote from the tile guy on the job to redo just the two finished walls of the shower. We are definitely in sticker shock! He said that he would have to demo the tile, redo the waterproofing system on those two walls and retile. We had another tile installer come by (quote TBD), and he said he thought he could likely preserve the waterproofing system.

For those familiar with this type of work, a few questions:

1) When tile comes down from a waterproofing system, how likely is it that the system can be preserved? (The system we have is by Laticrete.)

2) Percentage-wise, how much of this work should be demo vs. waterproofing vs. installing new tile?

3) Should we be able to get a like-new tile job if we rip out what was newly installed and put in new tile on both floors and walls?

Thanks so much!

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Comments (4)

catbuilder
5 years ago
Which system from Laticrete?

Most likely the waterproofing will be damaged. Ask how the floor waterproofing will be tied into the wall waterproofing after demo.
newenglandsara2 thanked catbuilder
newenglandsara2
Original Author
5 years ago
catbuilder, thanks. If we demo both the floors and the walls, do you think we should be able to have a like-new job after re-waterproofing?
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Helen
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I don't think you can preserve any portion of the waterproofing when you remove the tile. At any rate, I think that would be penny wise and pound foolish since you would be paying a lot of money for a partial waterproofing AND the tile installation plus the cost of the tile.

The new tile installation should be as good as any tile installation would be in a full remodel since you are taking down all the tile and reinstalling it. But maybe I am missing something.

I am not shocked by the price. I had tile installed on my balcony recently - my balcony isn't that large maybe 10' x 5' and installation cost about $3800 just for the installation as I provided the tile. Although the tile installation was a bit tricky because of the design there is no waterproofing and so I can't imagine installation would be more expensive than for a waterproofed shower.

ETA - I used my GC who had done my gut remodel including two bathrooms and a kitchen with lots of tile. Since I trusted the quality of his finished product, I didn't get competitive bids. The tile setters did a very careful job as it took them about 4 1/2 days to complete it. They spent a lot of time laying out the tile and evidently there were also some tricky cut where the tile met the walls of my balcony.

I was fortunate enough that my remodel was large enough for me to hire an excellent designer who also acted as my project manager. Among other things she checked when materials came in like tiles and also worked with the workers to make sure they were laying out stuff correctly. This was enormously helpful since left to my own ignorant devices I would have missed stuff and also thought normal stuff was wrong. :-).
newenglandsara2 thanked Helen
newenglandsara2
Original Author
5 years ago
Hi Helen, I appreciate the information and also the reality check. Wow, do I ever regret not seeing the tile before it had dried. We have not made any other upgrades during this big project, but this particular one will cost a fortune. The tile just looks terrible as it is now. Thanks for your input.