Browse Forums Bathrooms and Laundry 1 Feb 01, 2013 1:19 pm Can anyone please give me some advice... we are in a bit of a jam with our builder.. usual story – bathroom renovation was supposed to take 3 weeks it's now been 3 months. Recently our neighbours came home after a weeks holiday over christmas and came to knock on our door to tell us our bathroom had been leaking and all their ceiling (original 1930's of course) and walls were filled with water. The builder came back and brought a plumber out who fixed the problem (we think) and we are now back to re-waterproofing the walls/retiling etc before replacing the shower. Now, the builder came and painted on the waterproof himself (about the space of 12 150x75 tiles) to obviously save himself the cost of paying for a waterproofer but only did 1 coat and there are holes in it. (it's also a light grey product where as the original waterproofers used a bright blue/green material). When the tiler came out he refused to tile there due to the bad waterproofing. The builder then said he would come tile and could use silicone which would seal any holes and when i insisted he should come and waterproof it properly he said he didn't need to and the tiler would have done it with silicone had he the right materials with him originally. (This was not the impression i got). 1. Can you actually do this? Tile with silicone or am i headed for further disaster? 2. Also – there is this weird rust coloured marks on the waterproofing now which maybe look like dirty water has leaked up through it?? I can also see it on the tiles below – some hard yellow stuff in the grout. Thanks for any help/advice... really appreciate it. - I have photos but can't figure out how to post sorry! Re: Bad builder - cutting corners? Advice on waterproofing/t 2Feb 01, 2013 2:17 pm Dont worry about the colour of the water proofing, mine was a light grey colour but there was 3 coats applied. In NSW when waterproofing is done the waterproofer has to supply you with a certificate. Ask the builder for the certificate? No dont let them tile with silicone. The waterproofing has to be done properly before any tiling starts. Do you have a photo of the marks your talking about? Cutting Edge Kitchens and Cabinet Making http://cuttingedgekitchens.net.au http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cutting-Edge-Kitchens/290484196676 Mobile : 0419 430 575 PH: 9452 4772 Fax :9452 4772 cuttingedgekitchens@outlook.com Re: Bad builder - cutting corners? Advice on waterproofing/t 3Feb 01, 2013 2:28 pm yes! I have lots of photos but not sure how to post them?? I was also concerned as when the original waterproofing was done i got a certificate but he has done this him self... he said the certificate still stands though but i'm suspect. Re: Bad builder - cutting corners? Advice on waterproofing/t 5Feb 01, 2013 5:02 pm Are they new tiles or old tiles?? Did the tiles have to come off the wall to repair plumbing?? The waterproofing job looks poor. Cutting Edge Kitchens and Cabinet Making http://cuttingedgekitchens.net.au http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cutting-Edge-Kitchens/290484196676 Mobile : 0419 430 575 PH: 9452 4772 Fax :9452 4772 cuttingedgekitchens@outlook.com Re: Bad builder - cutting corners? Advice on waterproofing/t 6Feb 01, 2013 5:40 pm The bathroom was newly renovated by them. Then when the leak was found they had to rip the tiles out to repair the plumbing. Then he re patched and waterproofed. New tiles... new everything. Re: Bad builder - cutting corners? Advice on waterproofing/t 7Feb 01, 2013 5:41 pm Any idea what the weird colour is from or the hard coloured stuff in the grout? it appeared after the first time the wall was tiled. Very strange. Re: Bad builder - cutting corners? Advice on waterproofing/t 8Feb 08, 2013 7:53 am It looks like the tiler hasn't cleared all the glue from the tiles before he has grouted or he hasn't mixed the grout enough. I agree with CEK - the waterproofing looks like it was thrown on from 5 metres away. Stewie Re: Bad builder - cutting corners? Advice on waterproofing/t 9Feb 09, 2013 7:06 pm HI, as a waterproofer by trade i can tell you that you would be lucky if this bathroom will last you 6 months. There are several issues with this bathroom. 1. One coat of waterproofing is not sufficient in a shower area! Shower areas need a minimum of 2 coats. 2. The holes can not be left like that. Once water seeps through the tiles which it does (it can not be helped unless a waterproofed sealer is applies over the top) The water is seep behind those holes and DE-laminate the waterproofing, As normal waterproofing can not withstand negative pressure and is not hydrostatic. 3. Be aware that waterproofing comes in different colors. BUT not all waterproofing is compatible with each other. There are different types that are mixed with different chemicals and some are not compatible so be aware that it might not stick to the original waterproofer's material. 4. As this is a bathroom renovation For your warranty purposes you will need a certificate from the Waterproofer Not the builder. Also Because he has used 2 different brands or types of materials Your waterproofers warranty is worth nothing anyway. so If you where to have any problems then you are on your own 5. The funny color is more then likely coming from the brickwork, because bricks retain moisture and its exposed so its drying out and discoloring the waterproofing. normal practice is a situation like this is to give the bricks a skim coat of render brfore waterproofing is done. 6. Do not let the builder silicone the tiles down you are in for big trouble. It is a bad idea as silicone moves and is not hard. and is just a rely bad idea. for the $14 a bag of tile glue tell him to shove his silicone. i personally would get an private certifier out to check the work before paying the builder. as Paying him to come out and have a look could save you $$$ in the future. He will tell you if this is up to scratch. If not make the builder repair and rectify the work. If he refuses contact the dept of fair trading with his builder license number and sort the issue out with them. DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair fair question about the slope. Re soil I mean that it doesn't look like reactive clay which swells and shrinks with wetness/dryness. If the floors in your house are… 3 19322 I have researched this topic in detail recently but for another state which has no licensing requirements at all so any handy man can waterproof any old way and not have… 1 8474 2 8647 |