Patio done. Expensive tiles. Clean lines..BUT :😥

redjet

Just had our patio done. Two weeks of several people. 55£sqm tiles.
It's got clean lines and seems well done. Except
1 many many tiles have a hollow sound underneath. Builder says that in the tiles, he can lift to show me cement has stuck but will charge to relay. And they say they give a 2 yr guarantee. 
2 no slope.  Nada. Water pools in many areas. 

Im fairly confident they're not going to volunteer to buy new tiles and fix the job for free.

Months of effort digging out, they did all the sub base, supposedly added some binder to each tile.. but I've no idea what options I have, if any.

grumpy_codger

Don't know about the options, but no slope is unforgivable if it was doable.

DRP

What does builder say about drainage and the lack thereof?

Bradden

redjet said:

Months of effort digging out, they did all the sub base, supposedly added some binder to each tile.. but I've no idea what options I have, if any.

The hollow sound is normally an indication of "dot n dab" which used to be more common but isn't the best way to lay them.

What sort of slabs have you had laid? The binder is normally used on porcelain slabs.

CliveOfIndia

Bradden said:

The hollow sound is normally an indication of "dot n dab" which used to be more common but isn't the best way to lay them.

I'd go further than saying "not the best way" - it's an absolute cowboy way of laying them

stuart45

It should have a full bed under the slabs, but it's fair enough for the builder to charge you to re-lay them if they are fully bedded. If you've got riven slabs, there will always be a small amount of ponding.

FreeBear

CliveOfIndia said:

Bradden said:

The hollow sound is normally an indication of "dot n dab" which used to be more common but isn't the best way to lay them.

I'd go further than saying "not the best way" - it's an absolute cowboy way of laying them

Let's see what Paving Expert has to say on the matter..

The 'dollops of mortar' method, known as "spot bedding", "dab bedding" or "dot and dab" is not recommended. On public and commercial works, it is rarely, if ever, permitted. If a contractor is using this method, ask would they like a bucket of oats for their horses.

Having laid a patio myself (big 750x600mm slabs), a screed mortar base was both quick and easy to put down. Have not had any issues with rocking or hollow sounds. Do have one spot subject to pooling, but that is entirely my fault for not getting the fall correct.

CliveOfIndia

FreeBear said:

CliveOfIndia said:

Bradden said:

The hollow sound is normally an indication of "dot n dab" which used to be more common but isn't the best way to lay them.

I'd go further than saying "not the best way" - it's an absolute cowboy way of laying them

Let's see what Paving Expert has to say on the matter..

The 'dollops of mortar' method, known as "spot bedding", "dab bedding" or "dot and dab" is not recommended. On public and commercial works, it is rarely, if ever, permitted. If a contractor is using this method, ask would they like a bucket of oats for their horses.

Having laid a patio myself (big 750x600mm slabs), a screed mortar base was both quick and easy to put down. Have not had any issues with rocking or hollow sounds. Do have one spot subject to pooling, but that is entirely my fault for not getting the fall correct.

I just love that part about "a bucket of oats for their horses", made me chuckle

Bradden

FreeBear said:

CliveOfIndia said:

Bradden said:

The hollow sound is normally an indication of "dot n dab" which used to be more common but isn't the best way to lay them.

I'd go further than saying "not the best way" - it's an absolute cowboy way of laying them

Let's see what Paving Expert has to say on the matter..

The 'dollops of mortar' method, known as "spot bedding", "dab bedding" or "dot and dab" is not recommended. On public and commercial works, it is rarely, if ever, permitted. If a contractor is using this method, ask would they like a bucket of oats for their horses.

Having laid a patio myself (big 750x600mm slabs), a screed mortar base was both quick and easy to put down. Have not had any issues with rocking or hollow sounds. Do have one spot subject to pooling, but that is entirely my fault for not getting the fall correct.

Paving expert is referring to concrete/natural stone. The OP mentioned binder which made me wonder if they've had porcelain laid which isn't suitable for spot bedding.

redjet

DRP said:

What does builder say about drainage and the lack thereof?

Sent them a video. They are not responding.

redjet

Bradden said:

redjet said:

Months of effort digging out, they did all the sub base, supposedly added some binder to each tile.. but I've no idea what options I have, if any.

The hollow sound is normally an indication of "dot n dab" which used to be more common but isn't the best way to lay them.

What sort of slabs have you had laid? The binder is normally used on porcelain slabs.

They are honed sandstone from London Stone. And they appears to do a full bed of mortar.