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My usual (very good) plumber fitted a Rangemaster 1.5 bowl ceramic kitchen sink for us back in April and it has been successively developing more and more hairline cracks radiating out from the plug holes. Mostly in the drainer sink, but still in both. We used all the supplied (plastic+rubber washers) fittings and used clear silicone to seal to the ceramic as usual. I have been wrangling with the manufacturer via the supplier and they are claiming that we must have overtightened the fittings which has cracked the glaze and then thermal cycling is causing further cracking. So of cause, they are accepting no responsibility. Anyone got any suggestions? We used the supplied fittings, my plumber has done hundreds of sinks and I was helping and it all looked correct to me. How easily are sinks damaged just by attaching normal waste fittings? I wouldn't have thought it was possible, especially since the fixing threads are into plastic anyway.

Hi All, I’ve just had 2 rooms tiled with oak effect ceramics and I feel a little disappointed with the final result. The tiler used self-leveller to even the floor prior to laying but I feel that this should have been done with more care, and that many of the subsequent problems are a result of this… I’ve used the closest thing I have to a 2m straight edge to check the flooring and I’m finding regular deviations of around 5-6mm. Offering up the skirting has highlighted a couple of areas far worse at 10mm & 14mm. The tiler has offered to rectify these two areas but I still have my doubts about the overall quality of the job and feel it was rushed. He spent no more than a few hours on the screed and then 3 days to lay both rooms totalling over 30 sq.m. I worry that in correcting these local defects with extra adhesive or whatever, he simply creates new problems elsewhere. There are also several areas of lipping affecting at least half a dozen tiles in each room of 2,3 & 4mm. The British Standard BS 5385 seems to say that 1mm is the tolerance for such narrow 2mm joints? The standards also seem to suggest a tolerance for levelness of 3mm over a 2m edge? I’ve only garnered this info online and haven’t actually read the specific standards but I’m wondering to what extent I could use this as a stick to beat him with? I’ve already paid £1000 in labour for the job but frankly I feel it isn’t justified. I know he’s legally entitled to try and rectify it but short of ripping it all up, I can’t see me getting a result that’s compliant with the relevant standards? I feel the best outcome for me would be to get him to fix what he can then attempt to get compensation for the rest.. Sadly I’ve already had to sue someone for a failed floor in the past so I’m all too familiar with the small claims process! Any help much appreciated., please see attached photos

Okay, we have the walls and floor in our bathroom now - and the bath is being fitted tomorrow. Its now time for me to start tiling the walls. I think I have identified the ceramic tiles - from a local tile shop around £21 per m2. But are there any recommendations for tile ahesive? I have seen some which say waterproof and some shower resistant. The chap at Topps Tiles said I need to add something to the mix to make the adhesive waterproof. We have used moisture resistant PB so I do want to make sure the adhesive and grout is as waterproof as I can. and there seems to be a huge range to choose from. So any pointers in the right direction would be appreciated.

Carrying on from here

This section is dedicated to all aspects of tiling. Whether it be wall, or floor, bathroom or kitchen, whole of floor, or other, you'll find all you need to know here. From which adhesives to use and why, through to how to grout, finish and seal ready for use. Just post a new thread here and we'll advise you to the best of our knowledge and help you get the job done right, first time. From this To this