water spill during tiling job - advice please

ruthie_2

We are having the bathroom tiled at the moment. The tiler has ply boarded over the floorboards, and stuck down most of the whole tiles today. Then he accidentally knocked over a whole bucket of water, most of which came through the ceiling into the kitchen below. I put a dehumidifier in the bathroom to dry it out, but am wondering what to do now.

I'm worried that if he just carries on tiling that we could end up having water trapped beneath the floor, and that may cause a longer term problem. Also, there are about five light fittings in the kitchen below. When I looked it was hard to see whether they have been affected, and we do plan to replace them as part of our renovations (not living at the house yet.) But I'm worried if we leave it they might not be safe.

Does anyone know what steps I should take to make sure the accident hadn't caused a longer term problem? I'm reluctant to delay the tiling job, as we have booked the bathroom fitters to start next week, but if I have to I will. Thanks in advance!

TomsMom

ruthie wrote: »

The tiler has ply boarded over the floorboards, and stuck down most of the whole tiles today. Then he accidentally knocked over a whole bucket of water, most of which came through the ceiling into the kitchen below.

I'm worried that if he just carries on tiling that we could end up having water trapped beneath the floor,

I'm reluctant to delay the tiling job, as we have booked the bathroom fitters to start next week, but if I have to I will. Thanks in advance!

Ruthie, you have had a whole bucket full of water (couple of gallons?) go onto the ply and through the ceiling. Surely the ply was soaked? If so, when do you think it is likely to have dried out properly to allow tiling to continue? I doubt it's a good idea to tile onto damp ply, the adhesive will not go off and the tiles wont stick properly.

I would get the tiler to delay finishing off until the ply is properly dry - a heater may help speed things up. If you don't think it will be ready for the bathroom fitters by next week then put them off, they will re-schedule your job when they know of your problem. If you go ahead with damp ply then you may eventually find it was a costly mistake.

Just my opinion but I would want to be absolutely sure as refitting a bathroom is not cheap.

latecomer

I agree with Tomsmum, make absolutely sure everything is dry before allowing the tiler to continue. Ask if he is willing to come in over the weekend to allow the bathroom suite to be fitted as scheduled, considering the delay is due to his accident.