Water feature tile not even, lippage

[AdventurerNori]

Hello,
This is for a remodel with a brand new water feature wall. PB had mason build wall using cement block and same mason put on all the tile. Tile is from NPT large format 12x24” Slate color. As you can see from the pictures, there are dips and “lippage” from most of the tiles creating a very unattractive shadow pattern. PB says he sent a pic to his “normal tile guys” and they said its fine, expect variation. Mason said he did his best, blaming it on the tiles and showed me one tile that was flat and straight EXCEPT where it dipped in at the corner with a bend in the tile. They both want to move on as we are at pebble now but I cant get over how horrible it looks to me. Am I just crazy to expect flat looking tile? Is it operator error or did we get an obscure bad batch of tile from NPT? The pictures from NPT displaying this tile showed perfect flat tile which is what I expected. I also want to move on but Im going to be staring at the unevenness for years.

 

[Oly]

I'm not a fan of the water features as it drives up your pH especially if you have significant TA.
That said it looks fine for tile, my opinion. If you wanted smooth then you should have used a slab.
I doubt you will be staring at the unevenness for years, you will be busy adding MA.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

No you are not crazy to expect flat looking tile, if it’s the tile that’s not square and flat from the box then more tile should’ve been purchased to obtain your expectations. If it was the craftsmanship, did you see the tile layers previous jobs to confirm he was capable to do the level of work you were expecting?

On another note, I would also be concerned with how much plaster is still left behind after the chip out of using pointed tips on the chisels.

 

[kimkats]

I would nope my pool right out of that tile! Sorry but find some straight, flat tiles THEN we can move one!

 

[AdventurerNori]

No you are not crazy to expect flat looking tile, if it’s the tile that’s not square and flat from the box then more tile should’ve been purchased to obtain your expectations. If it was the craftsmanship, did you see the tile layers previous jobs to confirm he was capable to do the level of work you were expecting?

On another note, I would also be concerned with how much plaster is still left behind after the chip out of using pointed tips on the chisels.

Im not sure what you are getting at but I’ll play. The tile was expected to be flat and square per NPT’s display and online photos. Its not like there was a disclaimer stating “pool tile may not be as flat and straight as shown”. So nobody (me, PB, or Mason) expected the tile to be wonky. As far as being shown examples, PB showed me previous work but its not like I asked specifically to use the same people on the job. I let him do his job of finding the people to perform the work. Whats the point in hiring a contractor if I have to babysit the subs? (Although I have had to, and know that its ultimately “my” project)

———-
Off topic but since you have brought up the chiseling in both of my threads, I shall offer some backstory. We were screwed by a “PB” that robbed 13 other people for nearly $200,000 total back in Nov 2021. He only drained, chipped, and built a rebar cage for the baja shelf before taking off. It took us nearly a year plus change to get our money back from the AZ Registrar of Contractors but once we did, we emailed nearly 50+ KA-5 dual license pool builders listed on the states registry and explained the situation. Only 5 PBs came to actually look at the damage. I mentioned the chipping issue you stated to all 5, and they all shrugged and said it was fine lol. Can’t do anything about it now, but thank you for the concern.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

I was trying to help by explaining ways it could have been avoided for those who may come across this situation in the future.

 

[AdventurerNori]

I was trying to help by explaining ways it could have been avoided for those who may come across this situation in the future.

I see, okay i appreciate your input!

 

[RLP]

Most manufacturers of large format tile recommend it be installed with a 1/3 pattern, just for that reason.

 

[AdventurerNori]

Most manufacturers of large format tile recommend it be installed with a 1/3 pattern, just for that reason.

Thank you. Is this common knowledge such that my Mason and/or PB should have known this?

 

[RLP]

Thank you. Is this common knowledge such that my Mason and/or PB should have known this?

Tough to say. An experienced tile mechanic might. I would look at the manufacturer's installation instructions.

 

[Dr.J]

Most manufacturers of large format tile recommend it be installed with a 1/3 pattern, just for that reason.

Yup I agree most say 33% max due to the inherent problem of the tile having a slight crown. When 33% offset is done there is less lippage. But I say that to say depending on the tile it can be made flatter during install but definitely would have lippage if set 50% offset

 

[Time2Relax]

That looks like Crud. I've installed tile on hundreds of pools over the years. Now if the manufacture/tile seller says that the tile is meant to be like that, then that's the way it is. I doubt it's installer error, frankly, I think it's the tile itself. Your choice if you want to let it go......