Going on homeowners claim number two....

[Jumpem]

We had about 400 sq.ft. of tile done last weekend. Out brown grout has dried white, and thousands of little dimples in the tile have white grout permanently in them; ruining the grout and the tile.

We have tried a grout "eraser" and acid cleaner from a local tile distributor to no avail. The contractor that did the work is coming over tomorrow, but I'm not confident he will do anything about it.

 

[XZeroII]

There is no warrantee on the work? If it was only done last week, you'd think that they would fix it, if they were reputable.

 

[dartworth]

:camera:

 

[SphinxnihpS]

You can file a homeowner's claim on this, but you will be denied. This would fall under the contractor's liability insurance if he has any.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
You can file a homeowner's claim on this, but you will be denied. This would fall under the contractor's liability insurance if he has any.

It won't be denied. My last homeowners claim was against a roofer that flooded my house. That's from two years ago and is still being pursued by lawyers.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: XZeroII
There is no warrantee on the work? If it was only done last week, you'd think that they would fix it, if they were reputable.

I don't know. Two of my neighbors recommended them. but he seems to be using the excuse "it dries lighter". We'll see what he says tomorrow.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
You can file a homeowner's claim on this, but you will be denied. This would fall under the contractor's liability insurance if he has any.

It won't be denied. My last homeowners claim was against a roofer that flooded my house. That's from two years ago and is still being pursued by lawyers.

Wow, you're actually going to file a homeowner's insurance claim for this? They will surely drop you after this claim.

 

[bctbct]

No figgin way is home owners going to pay for defective grout/incompetence. They will have a good story to pass around the industry though.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
You can file a homeowner's claim on this, but you will be denied. This would fall under the contractor's liability insurance if he has any.

It won't be denied. My last homeowners claim was against a roofer that flooded my house. That's from two years ago and is still being pursued by lawyers.

Wow, you're actually going to file a homeowner's insurance claim for this? They will surely drop you after this claim.

I'd think so too. Besides, fixing the grout is a pretty simple do-it-yourself project. Of course, digging out the old grout will take most of a day.

OP was this a new tile job? Or was a re-grouting job? If the latter, it's possible (probable) the contractor didn't dig out the old grout deeply enough.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I'd think so too. Besides, fixing the grout is a pretty simple do-it-yourself project. Of course, digging out the old grout will take most of a day.

OP was this a new tile job? Or was a re-grouting job? If the latter, it's possible (probable) the contractor didn't dig out the old grout deeply enough.

New tile in place of vinyl and carpet. And it is not just the grout. There is dried white grout in thousands of rice grain, and smaller, dimples in the tile. If I can't find some chemical to get it out the tile is ruined as well.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Wow, you're actually going to file a homeowner's insurance claim for this? They will surely drop you after this claim.

Why on earth do you think they would drop me? My agent said not to worry, and to always feel free to file a claim.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Wow, you're actually going to file a homeowner's insurance claim for this? They will surely drop you after this claim.

Why on earth do you think they would drop me? My agent said not to worry, and to always feel free to file a claim.

Why should your insurance company cover this claim? You hired someone incompetent for work that is easily fixable.

Insurance companies usually drop people after one claim. Why wouldn't you make the contractor fix it instead of filing a claim? If a tree fell on your house, it would be one thing but you had someone install tile and they did a bad grout job? You know the grout can be cleaned off the tiles right?

 

[Gothgar]

Contact the CSLB if he doesn't fix it, and the BBB, he probably won't do anything still but at least you screwed up his clean record (if he had one)

 

[amicold]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Wow, you're actually going to file a homeowner's insurance claim for this? They will surely drop you after this claim.

Why on earth do you think they would drop me? My agent said not to worry, and to always feel free to file a claim.

Have you ever done your own tile work? The "irreversible tile damage" in which the pores of the tile were filled in with grout, that stuff comes out it takes a bit of time and it's pretty hard not to get ANY grout elsewhere but the seams.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Why should your insurance company cover this claim? You hired someone incompetent for work that is easily fixable.

Insurance companies usually drop people after one claim. Why wouldn't you make the contractor fix it instead of filing a claim? If a tree fell on your house, it would be one thing but you had someone install tile and they did a bad grout job? You know the grout can be cleaned off the tiles right?

My last claim was over an incompetent contractor that refused to take responsibility. This wouldn't be any different.

What do you suggest for getting the grout out of the depressions in the tile? Seriously.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: amicold
Have you ever done your own tile work? The "irreversible tile damage" in which the pores of the tile were filled in with grout, that stuff comes out it takes a bit of time and it's pretty hard not to get ANY grout elsewhere but the seams.

How would you get it out? So far we haven't been able to. It looks like it is when you are cleaning it, but when the tile dries the white spots are still there.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Why should your insurance company cover this claim? You hired someone incompetent for work that is easily fixable.

Insurance companies usually drop people after one claim. Why wouldn't you make the contractor fix it instead of filing a claim? If a tree fell on your house, it would be one thing but you had someone install tile and they did a bad grout job? You know the grout can be cleaned off the tiles right?

My last claim was over an incompetent contractor that refused to take responsibility. This wouldn't be any different.

What do you suggest for getting the grout out of the depressions in the tile? Seriously.

So you have a habit of hiring idiots?

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Codewiz
So you have a habit of hiring idiots?

Thats what it would seem. This guy was recommended by two of my neighbors so I thought he was a safe bet. We also live 40 miles from the city, so it usually difficult just to get someone willing to come out. Seems we have to call a dozen places in the yellow pages before we find one.

 

[Turin39789]

pics

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Wow, you're actually going to file a homeowner's insurance claim for this? They will surely drop you after this claim.

Why on earth do you think they would drop me? My agent said not to worry, and to always feel free to file a claim.

of course you are free to file a claim. just as they are free to drop you.

2nd claim in how long? odds are you are costing them money. also someone who files claims on silly stuff.

i wouldnt be shocked if they drop you either.

 

[Squisher]

Grouting porous tile is totally different than doing normal tile. I usually use a bag like a pastry bag, just use as much as is needed, and flatten out the grout as I go with my finger in a glove. I never use a float like you would do with regular tile.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

After the fact but, why didn't you inspect the work before it dried? Why would you choose a grout color that you hadn't seen in it's finished state? What planet do you live on that has reputable contractors who are unwilling to travel 40 miles? Did you expect them to make the trip for free maybe?

 

[Bignate603]

I think you were correct to file a claim for the roof flooding your house because that actually did damage to it, and then the insurance company will try and pursue the claim with their own lawyers so you don't have to try and sue.

This on the other hand would probably be something you should deal with yourself.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
After the fact but, why didn't you inspect the work before it dried? Why would you choose a grout color that you hadn't seen in it's finished state? What planet do you live on that has reputable contractors who are unwilling to travel 40 miles? Did you expect them to make the trip for free maybe?

The work was perfect when it was still wet. We were told it would be a shade lighter when dried (I know to see it dried beforehand next time).

I live 40 miles northeast of Syracuse, NY. Getting a plumber, electrician, roofer, etc has usually taken dozens of calls going through the phone book. Most are unwilling to travel to where we live despite that they would be paid. They all say they have enough work closer to the city.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Bignate603
I think you were correct to file a claim for the roof flooding your house because that actually did damage to it, and then the insurance company will try and pursue the claim with their own lawyers so you don't have to try and sue.

This on the other hand would probably be something you should deal with yourself.

We are trying to so far. The guy came back and said he had never seen grout dry such a different color. He said the grout in the dimples would eventually wash out. We are trying some mildly acidic grout and haze remover right now.

The contractor was going to talk to some fellow tile workers, and do some internet research on what to do. So far it looks like the easiest way out is to go over all of it with a grout stain that is close to the original color we intended.