Amtico install are small gaps normal?

Hi ,

I'm in the process of getting Amtico installed in 3 bathrooms. The installer has completed 2 rooms so far, but on closer inspection I've found gaps between the tiles and the silver edging strips on several tiles. Is this normal for an Amtico install? Or have the installers made a mess of it? They're due back Monday to complete the other bathroom.

I'll try and upload a few photos to help show the issue.

Thanks
Steven

 

how wide are the gaps your talking about? it could be down to a number of reasons not necessarily down to the fitter per say, your best bet is upload a few pics and then we can give you our opinions.

 

I'm on my iPhone, site seems to restrict photo size, so I've stuck the pics on photo bucket

http://s30.photobucket.com/user/Raven808080/library/Mobile Uploads

Hopefully you can see some examples

 

Is it amtico spacia? Is it a white tile?

 

I'd say its because the the back of the strip/tile sticks out slightly further than the top creating a gap around the tile. Like merit said, light tiles and spacia = not good.

 

If you've found gaps on some but not all of them this shows they are capable of being fitted without a gap? You've answered your own question really!

 

Tiles are spacia, linear stone

I've tried to upload pics but the file size restriction prevents me from doing so. Is there another method to post the pics?

 

So its spacia and its a light tile....doesn't surprise me there are small gaps in it. It never goes together perfectly. The tiles arnt cut straight and are also slightly different sizes.

 

fair enough then but installer should of discussed this with customer?

 

Don't really have any probs with Spacia now it's manufactured back in Coventry.
I used to find that it was the strips the cause of the problem, not the tile.

 

I agree....I always tell my customers that spacia is ****, maybe that's why I haven't fitted any for so long?

 

All the lvt are the same. Light tiles, light strips and you get a gap only small and it shouldn't really be noticeable when you stand up.

We get told by karndean that if you can fit a credit card in the gap it's to big, anything under that then apparently it conforms to standards. We all know a gap that big is insane and gaps even half that size looks bad.

I guess without seeing it then it's hard to tell if it's just the tiles or perhaps the fitter could have done something better.

 

Yes that's right. A certain size gap is acceptable. I'm sure if you looked at the karndean training centre that there will be small gaps in places.

 

As already posted, you shouldn't really have gaps but unfortunately it would appear you have. The reason largely can be down to the manufacturer not changing the blades often enough when the tiles are being cut from the large slab. The result is the blade cuts at a slight bevel and leaves the bottom of the tile proud of the top surface.

If your fitting bathrooms and they are of an average smallish size you may be able to speak to the fitter and get them to back bevel the tile prior to fitting. It will take them longer and they might grumble about having to do it but the end result will be so much better. You could of course ask them to get Amtico to have a look at it and more than likely they will get exchanged but all the while you are without a floor, my opinion would be to approach it practically and get the fitters to sort it as they go. Also you're them not sending the off the job and hoping they will squeeze you in when the new tiles arrive.

I've just fitted a job with approx 58 packs of Spacia and in fairness the whole lot went together without any hassle, they sat perfectly even before glue was applied. If you want to verify that the tiles are out of bevel just lift a couple now and sit them side by side with and without the design strip, that way you can tell of its the tiles or the design strip that's out.

 

Or could be room temperature !!

 

Thanks everyone for feedback, appreciate it. I still can't get the pics uploaded, I only have my iPhone as my broadband isn't connected yet. The joys of a new build.

If the suppliers had told me of the potential problem with a light tile, then I would have probably picked a different tile or avoided spacia altogether. I'm not happy with the gaps the way they currently are. I called the shop this morning and the salesman didn't appear that phased, he's going to pass the message onto the fitters tomorrow, so fingers crossed they can sort it out. The bathrooms aren't that big, about 20-30 tiles in each one and not all of tiles need fixed.

 

They would never tell you potential problems as its not in their interest too. Just want sales.

 

I would guess it's not the manufacturing issue we are on about but a fitting one. I'm sure you wouldn't go to the trouble of finding an Internet forums to discus your problems with the small gap/line from the manufacturers. We really need a picture :s. Can u fit a credit card down the gap? Is it all the same size gap or are some bigger?

 

You say new build.......how new?

 

Quick fix on a light tile is to smudge a little HT addy in the fine cracks as it takes the eye off it, obviously not the done thing really but it will work and doubles up by sealing the gap as well as filling.
The above is only acceptable imho when it is material causing the gaps for what ever reason, it isnt a substitute for poor fitting.

You could try emailing pictures to admin and see if they can upload them within the thread.