Welcome to the forum. Although you can post in any forum, the USA forum is here in case of local regs or laws

Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

awful plumbing, kinked flexi, which will burst idc.

silicone everywhere, an utter mess, no need for that at all

pay any material costs and make him sling his hook. He cant remove goods, criminal damage let him go to court, you can use another plumber to do the work and let a judge decide if further costs due, have a chat with citizens advice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
The hemp board is responsible for cracks in tiling as it is unstable background. PVA good for dry areas but breaks down in wet conditions. Only come across hemp board once and that was Shotley is that where you are.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
The amount of water showing on that video suggests to me that it's leaking pipe work from diverter valve to shower head outlet, either way he's had enough chances to rectify, get someone else
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
The hemp board is responsible for cracks in tiling as it is unstable background. PVA good for dry areas but breaks down in wet conditions. Only come across hemp board once and that was Shotley is that where you are.

No, I'm in Ipswich but same side of the town as Shotley. Any suggestions? Rebuild the wall with stud work? or could you leave the wall in place and plaster board over then tile to that?

The amount of water showing on that video suggests to me that it's leaking pipe work from diverter valve to shower head outlet, either way he's had enough chances to rectify, get someone else

That was our first thought, but the water in the video, the really bad waterfall is on the back wall and there is no water pipe there.
Divertor is in the loft with two copper pipes coming out. one you can see ending with a joint that attaches to the bath fill. The other existing through a tile into the shower pipe/head. This I suppose could be leaking if the cracked grout is not the cause.
 
Some plumbers can tile, some tilers can plumb. This is a case of the inexperienced meeting the unexpected. With modern powershowers even plaster can not be relied on. Do not waste money trying to make good existing. Rip out and start again. What you pay is between you and the plumber but as other have said even plumbing is defective. As a minimum, fix 13mm tilebacker board to wall prior to tiling. Screw to studs, not hemp.
 
Some plumbers can tile, some tilers can plumb. This is a case of the inexperienced meeting the unexpected. With modern powershowers even plaster can not be relied on. Do not waste money trying to make good existing. Rip out and start again. What you pay is between you and the plumber but as other have said even plumbing is defective. As a minimum, fix 13mm tilebacker board to wall prior to tiling. Screw to studs, not hemp.

The Hemp board doesn't have studs to screw to, so are you saying a wall replacement is better?
 
The whole install looks poor and unfortunately the only way to fix the leak would be to start again, silicone on grout is not a solution. As it has already been stated I would talk to Citizens advice or a consumer lawyer to get the facts right but no one should pay for workmanship this poor.
As said everyone gets the odd leak or something that doesn't go right bit this is terrible from top to bottom. Good luck with it and hopefully you find a decent tradesman to put it all right.
 
Building new wall will be disruptive. Fix 18mm ply, floor to ceiling, and screw tilebacker board to ply. Ply can be fixed to stramit with plugs and adhesive, and screwed through to pads recessed into reverse side of wall. Reinforce joints, scrim, in backer board prior to tiling.
As alternative you could consider shower panels, !0mm faced ply. these would fix to stramit with adhesive.
 
Last edited:
Hi Triple! Sorry you had such a terrible experience. I also feel sorry for your contractor because if only he knew how to silicon properly he would have gotten paid. I suspect your bath leak is coming from a poor seal.

A good plumber would know to silicone bone dry surfaces only and to tile after fitting the bath so tiles sit on top. If this goes to court please keep us updated and best of luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
How did you find this so called plumber? Recommendation or on a web site? Did you see any previous work or ask to see any qualifications/ trade memberships?
 
Rocketman, with respect, I think you are being a bit harsh in the OP. Assuming he is telling the truth re the newness of the product, I probably would not pay for the parts. At the very least, I would be deducting the cost of the ruined product supplied by me.
RM, can you honestly say that the work looks like that of a reasonable tradesman, let alone one at the top his trade.?
I am not a plumber, but a Gas Service Engineer, and HATE bathroom work etc. But I would be embarrassed to put my name to that pile of rubbish.
That said, we know that we only ever hear one side of an argument, but pictures do speak volumes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
How did you find this so called plumber? Recommendation or on a web site? Did you see any previous work or ask to see any qualifications/ trade memberships?
It was on the local street life forum with some recommendations. Saw pictures of his work, apparently been a plumber for 25odd years and lived locally. Didn't see physically any work and didn't see or ask for qualifications. My fault there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
Rocketman, with respect, I think you are being a bit harsh in the OP. Assuming he is telling the truth re the newness of the product, I probably would not pay for the parts. At the very least, I would be deducting the cost of the ruined product supplied by me.
RM, can you honestly say that the work looks like that of a reasonable tradesman, let alone one at the top his trade.?
I am not a plumber, but a Gas Service Engineer, and HATE bathroom work etc. But I would be embarrassed to put my name to that pile of rubbish.
That said, we know that we only ever hear one side of an argument, but pictures do speak volumes.

That's your opinion.

It's up to the op what he wants to do. It's gone from a leak & dodgy silicone to putting in new walls etc.& ripping everything out.

For £1400 compared to other quotes of £2500 imo I think someone thought he was getting a deal.

I ain't involved & as said wouldn't wanna be the one to rectify unless it was all ripped out & started again but it'd cost the right money for the right job & I'd want a depo up front!

I wish the op the best. The job looks crap as we can all see.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
That's your opinion.

It's up to the op what he wants to do. It's gone from a leak & dodgy silicone to putting in new walls etc.& ripping everything out.

For £1400 compared to other quotes of £2500 imo I think someone thought he was getting a deal.

I ain't involved & as said wouldn't wanna be the one to rectify unless it was all ripped out & started again but it'd cost the right money for the right job & I'd want a depo up front!

I wish the op the best. The job looks crap as we can all see.

The initial quote was for £2500. The invoice he provided after I refused to pay was for £1400. I paid £340 directly to electrician that was part of initial quote. To date that's £1740.

I wasn't after a deal, I was after a good job, which is far from what I got.

The walls being ripped out is a question and advice that I'm taking on board with reference to cracked grout and wobbly tiles. Not saying that's what I'm doing but surely must be a consideration.
 

Official Sponsors of Plumbers Talk

Similar plumbing topics

We recommend City Plumbing Supplies, BES, and Plumbing Superstore for all plumbing supplies.