Chances are, when you hire a tile contractor, you are making a significant investment in the beauty and functionality of your kitchen, bathrooms, or other areas in your home, selecting durable bathroom flooring materials that will last for years.
When tile is installed correctly, it should last a very long time. Improper tile installation can be heartbreaking and expensive to fix. Let’s take a look at three major mistakes that we see from time to time that end up costing homeowners a lot of money and heartache.
If you see these things happening on your job, you probably should fire your contractor and find a new one.
Your tile contractor is installing tile directly to the green board in your shower.
NOPE! You can’t fire this contractor fast enough! Green board or regular drywall will not hold up in a moisture problem area.
Some less-than-reputable contractors might argue, “But isn’t green board moisture resistant?”
It is moisture-resistant but cannot withstand the amount of moisture that a shower will produce. It’s only a matter of time before the green board, or drywall, becomes saturated, moldy, and falls apart. Oftentimes, before you realize there is a problem, the moisture will have already made it into your framing and caused serious damage.
If your tile installer is using green board and then attaching a sheet membrane, such as Kerdi Membrane, to waterproof your shower, that is an acceptable method. We don’t prefer this method, but the manufacturer of Kerdi Membrane will warranty the membrane when properly installed over green board in a shower. Here in San Luis Obispo County, it does not meet code to put a green board in your shower, even if it is covered with Kerdi membrane. The inspectors will want to see a coated, glass-mat, water-resistant gypsum backer, such as DensSheild, instead of green board.
Your tile installer has installed nails, screws, or staples below the top of the shower dam.
If your tile installer is using a chloraloy or PVC shower pan liner, it is a requirement that there are no penetrations below 3” from the top of the shower dam.
Oftentimes, installers who use cement backer boards such as Hardie Backer, Wonder Board, Durock, or Permabase will install the board down to the floor or near the floor and use screws or nails that penetrate the shower liner. This is a big problem and can result in a leaky shower and serious damage to the structure.
Also, when using a shower pan liner, the installer MUST NOT use cement backer board to wrap the shower dam. There is no way to properly fasten the cement backer board without damaging the shower pan liner and causing a leak. The proper way to prepare the shower dam is to wrap the dam with lath and only fasten it to the outside vertical side of the dam. No fasteners on top or inside the dam. Then the dam is floated with mortar.
In the event that your installer is using a different type of waterproofing for the shower pan, there are occasions when using backer board on the shower dam or using fasteners down below the dam is acceptable. Namely, when the walls and shower pan are waterproofed continuously on the surface using a roll-on type waterproofing or sheet membrane type waterproofing that is properly tied into the drain. The waterproofing must tie into the clamping ring of a traditional three-piece drain or into an integrated bonding flange like a Kerdi Drain.
Your tile installer is spot-bonding.
This one is going to ruffle some feathers. The above reasons to fire a tile installer are pretty basic, and if you see these types of mistakes, it shows that your installer was never properly trained and will most likely not even be equipped enough to give you an installation that even looks good on the outside. Here in California, there are a lot of tile installers who were taught to spot bond who would otherwise do a decent job for you.
What is spot bonding, you ask? Spot bonding is when the installer puts blobs of mortar on the tile or on the floor/wall to adhere to the tile. Sometimes the installer will use a notch trowel to comb the floor or wall first and then add some blobs. Sometimes they will use the flat side of the trowel to skim or “burn the mortar in” first and then add some blobs. Sometimes they only use blobs and omit the notch trowel altogether.
Why do installers do this? This technique makes it easier to install the tile flat. When the floor or wall isn’t flat enough before installation begins, the tile installer ends up trying to compensate by “building up” the tile with mortar. Spot bonding saves time and money in substrate preparation and makes it easy to install the tile super flat. This sounds great, right? What could go wrong? Spot bonding is one of the top reasons for failed tile installations.
As you can see in the picture below, spot bonding leaves large voids under the tile.
The installer probably thought that they had great thinset contact with the tile. These large voids result in hollow-sounding tiles and can result in cracks from any kind of point load, like rolling a refrigerator across the floor.
Even someone in high heels can crack the floor tiles. Spot bonding also doesn’t allow for the same kind of shear strength that a properly embedded tile has. So, if there is any structural movement, the tile will be more prone to coming loose.
Also, in a wet area, these excessive voids become an area where water can accumulate, highlighting the importance of choosing moisture-resistant tile options. This can cause discolored grout, and if natural stone is used, spot bonding may lead to permanent discoloration, making proper stone tile maintenance tips essential.
If you would like to learn more about proper troweling techniques, check out this video.
Finding the Right Bathroom Tile Installation Contractor
If you’ve noticed any of these mistakes, or simply want to avoid them, hiring the right tile installer is essential. A quality tile installer should have experience with wet areas, waterproofing, and industry standards to ensure your project lasts for years to come.
Here are a few tips for finding a reputable bathroom tile installation contractor:
- Check for licenses and insurance: Verify that they are properly licensed and carry insurance to protect both you and your property.
- Look for experience in bathroom tile work: Make sure they specialize in bathrooms and understand the unique challenges of wet areas.
- Read reviews and ask for references: Look for consistent positive feedback and request recent references you can contact directly.
- Get multiple quotes: Compare pricing, project timelines, and the quality of proposed materials and methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is proper waterproofing important in bathroom tile installation?
Proper waterproofing helps prevent leaks, mold growth, and structural damage behind the tile. A correctly installed waterproofing system keeps moisture from reaching drywall, wood framing, and other vulnerable materials.
2. What are the signs of a bad tile installation contractor?
Common warning signs include uneven tiles, hollow sounds under the tile, poor waterproofing methods, and visible fasteners in wet areas. These mistakes can lead to expensive repairs and long-term water damage.
3. Can spot bonding cause tile installation problems?
Yes, spot bonding can create empty spaces under the tile that increase the risk of cracks, loose tiles, and moisture buildup. Professional installers typically use proper troweling techniques to ensure full mortar coverage and long-lasting results.
Choosing the right contractor can mean the difference between a beautiful, durable bathroom and an expensive, frustrating remodel.
Do you want a quote for a tile installation? Contact us online or call 805-286-7460. We are San Luis Obispo County’s preferred tile installation company, serving Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, San Simeon, Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, Shell Beach, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, and Grover Beach.
