I hired a subcontractor to install my shower tiles, but they completely messed it up and scratched every single tile! The foreman said it's something they've never encountered before. From what I've gathered, it seems they used a grout float that was not suitable for the job. They want to fix the issue by polishing the scratches, but progress hasn't been great, and they might just redo the tiles. I've heard them talk about "removing the tiles", but I'm unsure about what that really means. Is it just a matter of taking out the tiles and redoing them, or do they need to go as far as tearing down the walls? Will this impact the quality and longevity of the work? I feel like I'm missing some important details here about the process and what to expect.
3 Answers
It sounds like a total redo is the best course of action. Based on what you've described, they likely used sanded grout, which can definitely scratch up delicate tiles. The optimal solution would be to remove all the tiles and check the waterproofing behind them too. If it’s anything less than cement board, consider having them redo that portion as well to ensure everything is up to standard.
For sure, they should just replace the tiles entirely. You mentioned they might be able to polish the scratches out, but if that's not working, it's best to have them redo it right. Just make sure they’re using the appropriate type of grout for your tiles this time around!
You really don't have to worry too much about tearing down walls for scratched tiles. From what I'm seeing, as long as they're willing to replace the tiles properly, you should be fine. Just ensure they don’t apply a sanded grout next time, and if they’re not using cement board, insist on it for better durability.