tiling by a non-tiler?

[SkyHook]

I am getting an ensuite bathroom built on to my house by a reg. builder.

He has just told me that he and his workers are "a bit quiet" at the moment, so they are intending to do the tiling and waterproofing themselves, rather than use a professional tiler.

I have some lovely 150X150 porcelain floor tiles that have a lot of variation in shade and pattern from tile to tile. I am concerned that the builders may-

- do a rough job of cutting the tiles, esp the fall to the waste etc

- lay the tiles in such a way that they don't mix and match the light ones and the darker ones.

Does anyone have any opinions on this?

Also, I am in NSW, and I thought that the waterproofing had to be certified by a qualified tradesman. Is this true?

Thanks

Mark

[dazzler]

My exp is that a waterproofing company will come in and do that and then the tilers come in.

I would raise your concerns with them and have them guarantee they will be done right or you wont pay them perhaps.

[Simomatra]

As you are using porcelain i think I would be holding out for a professional tiler and yes I am sure you require a licensed waterproofer.

Just my two cents worth

[RPMT]

waterproofing in nsw is required to be done by a licenced waterproofer and he is also required to give you a certificate with his licence number and the material used to waterproof the wet area.

i have seen some tiling jobs done by builders and i wasnt impressed..

goodluck

[SkyHook]

waterproofing in nsw is required to be done by a licenced waterproofer and he is also required to give you a certificate with his licence number and the material used to waterproof the wet area.

i have seen some tiling jobs done by builders and i wasnt impressed..

goodluck

Thanks everyone. I spoke to the builder, and he has agreed to get a prof. tiler in.

Cheers

Mark

[boban]

For a start, waterproofing is not exactly a trade. Some guys do a short TAFE course. It's short because there is SFA to know about it. If it is a trade then its one where a complete lack of skill is more than enough.

Any licensed builder can supervise an unlicensed worker to apply the waterproofing membrane. What is important is that the product (system) meets AS3740 and that it is installed in accordance with the standards.

[womble]

For a start, waterproofing is not exactly a trade. Some guys do a short TAFE course. It's short because there is SFA to know about it. If it is a trade then its one where a complete lack of skill is more than enough.

Any licensed builder can supervise an unlicensed worker to apply the waterproofing membrane. What is important is that the product (system) meets AS3740 and that it is installed in accordance with the standards.

agreed, the waterproofing process is pretty simple...roll the stuff on. not hard.

[Simomatra]

But Oh! the problems if you get a leak!! Is it all worth the couple of dollars one saves?

[autogenous]

Its worth the short course to know what is required. eg: Australian standards.

Sure the application is relatively simple. There is more than rolling on required in different situations.

[RPMT]

Its worth the short course to know what is required. eg: Australian standards.

Sure the application is relatively simple. There is more than rolling on required in different situations.

deffinately more to it than just "roling it on"

you have priming, the diffrerences and compatibility issues between acrylic and urethane membranes and tile adhesives, curing times between coats, reinforcement at internal corners with fibreglass or sikaflex, reinforcement at the floorwastes, and a separating angle in the shower reccess to contain the water in there, and beading at the doorway to stop moisture from reaching external floor.




so....just roll it on...and maybe use a brush.

[boban]

deffinately more to it than just "roling it on"

you have priming, the diffrerences and compatibility issues between acrylic and urethane membranes and tile adhesives, curing times between coats, reinforcement at internal corners with fibreglass or sikaflex, reinforcement at the floorwastes, and a separating angle in the shower reccess to contain the water in there, and beading at the doorway to stop moisture from reaching external floor.




so....just roll it on...and maybe use a brush.

So following the manufacurer's data sheets and installation instructions would not reveal any of this. Please spare me the crap...

[zacnelson]

Waterproofing is the easiest thing you could possibly do, and the information required (eg compatible adhesives or compatible sealants) is readily available, simple to follow, and un-confusing. There are no complexities. I think there are a lot of fields out there where the term `licensed' means very little. Take asbestos removal for another example; it's not exactly complicated to learn to wear disposable overalls, a respirator, double-bag scraps, wet down the pieces, etc etc.