New tub - tile stops at tub flange

[Kellianne]

I just had a new tub and tile installed.
On one side the tile starts at the ceiling and ends at the tub flange. On this side he's caulked between the flange and the tile and says he will put tub tape over top. The other 3 sides have been tiled over the flange.
I'm very concerned about leaks, not to mention it looks terrible.
Does he need to tear it apart and move the tub so that he can tile over the flange or is tub tape OK?

 

[Terry]

The wall should have been shimmed on that side so that the finished surface was over the tile flange. . Also, he put the tub spout too low.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Kellianne]

The wall should have been shimmed on that side so that the finished surface was over the tile flange. . Also, he put the tub spout too low.

Not only is the tub spout too low, nothing lines up!

 

[Dj2]

I agree, it looks terrible.

Don't pay the man, but give him a chance to "fix" things, in a reasonable time frame.

If he refuses, doesn't return calls, fails to fix it or doesn't show up, hire a different tile guy to re-do the job.

You can also visit johnbridgeforum for everything tile.

 

[hj]

I am not sure what "tub tape" is, but I doubt that it will create a watertight seal at the tub. The real problem is probably that the recess is to big for the tub, so if he pulls the tub to seal that end, the other side will need "tub tape". A second problem is that you had a "handyman" install the tub, not a plumber.

 

[Kellianne]

I am not sure what "tub tape" is, but I doubt that it will create a watertight seal at the tub. The real problem is probably that the recess is to big for the tub, so if he pulls the tub to seal that end, the other side will need "tub tape". A second problem is that you had a "handyman" install the tub, not a plumber.

Believe it or not, the handyman had a plumber come in to do the plumbing. If we push the tub back on one end, the tile on the back wall which is centered won't line up anymore. I think the whole project needs to be redone.

 

[Jadnashua]

There are at least a few ways to deal with the tub's tiling flange:
- notch the studs so that it is flush
- bring the cbu down to the lip (slight gap), as long as it is thicker than the tub flange and the tile has at least 1/2 of it supported on the wall, you can cantilever the tile over the flange (it should stop above the tub deck and that joint be caulked.
- if you use something like WediBoard, or KerdiBoard, it's easy to put a rabbit joint on the bottom and then bring the board down over the tiling flange
- shim the studs to allow the cbu to clear the tiling flange

Unless you do some topical waterproofing or use something like WediBoard or KerdiBoard as your tile backer, there should be a layer of plastic or roofing felt behind the board that is lapped over the tiling flange. Neither tile, grout, or cement board (cbu) is waterproof...you need something in the stackup to prevent moisture from getting back into the wall either on top of it, or behind it. OTOH, both WediBoard and KerdiBoard are waterproof on their own, and are designed to be tiled to in a wet area. You should seal them to the tub deck, and you must waterproof the seams and penetrations to follow the installation instructions.

 

[Kellianne]

There are at least a few ways to deal with the tub's tiling flange:
- notch the studs so that it is flush
- bring the cbu down to the lip (slight gap), as long as it is thicker than the tub flange and the tile has at least 1/2 of it supported on the wall, you can cantilever the tile over the flange (it should stop above the tub deck and that joint be caulked.
- if you use something like WediBoard, or KerdiBoard, it's easy to put a rabbit joint on the bottom and then bring the board down over the tiling flange
- shim the studs to allow the cbu to clear the tiling flange

Unless you do some topical waterproofing or use something like WediBoard or KerdiBoard as your tile backer, there should be a layer of plastic or roofing felt behind the board that is lapped over the tiling flange. Neither tile, grout, or cement board (cbu) is waterproof...you need something in the stackup to prevent moisture from getting back into the wall either on top of it, or behind it. OTOH, both WediBoard and KerdiBoard are waterproof on their own, and are designed to be tiled to in a wet area. You should seal them to the tub deck, and you must waterproof the seams and penetrations to follow the installation instructions.

Thank you! Would you give this guy the chance to fix the job or do i hire someone else?

 

[JSMSKS]

Thank you! Would you give this guy the chance to fix the job or do i hire someone else?

Suggest you spend some time on the John Bridge forum and then decide next steps. Best practices must be used to keep water from getting where it doesn't belong leading to rotting wood and causing mold problems. The photo suggests poor craftsmanship I'd be concerned about what was done or not done behind the tile.