I recently bought a townhouse and am doing a fairly extensive remodel. I opted for granite tile counters. My contractor doesn't do granite tile and didn't have any referrals, so I asked the pro supply house he uses (and where I also bought some bath and floor tiles) for a recommendation. His sales rep gave me the name of someone she just used in her own home to lay some floor tile and who she "highly recommends", so I hired him.

When we initially met to go over the project, I asked about grout. His reply was that everyone was going with silicone these days. Not knowing any better and trusting him as the "expert", we proceeded. After the job was complete, I found silicone residue overlapping all the joints. Yesterday I happened to be working a volunteer event with a couple people in the trade - a general contractor and a sales rep for Daltile. I asked them for advice on how to clean the residue, and a discussion ensued where both of them assured me that using silicone rather than nonsanded grout is a substandard installation method and that basically I need to make this company redo the entire thing using grout and new tile at their expense.

Can anyone comment on this and provide links to trade standards, etc? What are the long-term repurcussions of the silicone? Assuming the installer will even do anything (having already been paid unfortunately), does the entire job really need to be ripped out and started fresh or can some other fix be done like just making them at least scrape all the residue and then re-seal? The concern of the Daltile person is that the granite being porous has likely absorbed the silicone which could then interfere with any grout correction, and this is why she suggested making them install new tile.

This remodel has been going for two months and is almost done. So a redo will be quite annoying at this point but I want to make sure it is a quality job that will last. I definitely plan to notify the supply house sales rep that she shouldn't be recommending this guy to anyone, at least for granite tile.

Thanks much for any info and suggestions!!

The Daltile person is correct. Once the silicon gets into the pores of the tile it cannot be removed. This prevents the grout from adhering to the stone. The result is a failed grout job in a short while. I suggest that you get the tile person back and get them to fix it.

The issues with the silicon is it cannot be properly cleaned once its gets soiled. Bacteria is often an issue with stone tops which is the reason for the sealing. The silicone that is used between the joints will often trap soil as its soft.

If you run into difficutly getting them back. I would speak to the people at the store who suggested this people and tell them your going to hold them responsible for suggesting that you use this person unless they help you get him back to remove the tile and do it correctly. In doing so will help put pressure on the installer not only from you but the supply store as the contractor is ruining their good name. They will cut him off as a supplier.
If that does not work. Talk to a lawyer. Although Its terrible that you need to go this route, it happens more then you would think.

Thank you for the quick reply. I spoke with the installer today and he insists this method is superior and he uses it all the time with 100% satisfaction. He claims that because the tiles are butted right up against one another and virtually seamless that there is less chance of staining and bacteria than with a 1/8 or 1/4 grout line.

He also says he's happy to speak with any trade professional about why this method is superior. So, obviously he is not going to do much about it. He did offer to come back and clean the residue that I am unhappy with. So perhaps I let him do that and then seal it again myself, so that I know that was done properly at least. If you can recommend a good quality consumer sealant that would be helpful.

I spoke with an attorney who indicated I will have a tough time proving any damages at this point in time unless there is an obvious functional problem. Visually, there is nothing wrong. The job actually looks nice cosmetically, except for the residue that was my initial complaint. I did insist that he put in writing to me the exact materials and install method used so I can keep that with the invoice for the future.

Just don't know where else to go from here. I can't drop another $2300 on materials and labor to redo it. And clearly he won't do so at his own expense because he believes this method to be superior. Another reason why the state of Colorado needs to require licenses for tile installers!

I am grateful for any more suggestions anyone has, but it seems its not looking too good for me unfortunately.

Why would licensing change anything? If he feels the method is superior, then he would feel the same way if he were licensed. There is such a thing as an honest difference of opinion.

I am all for an honest difference of opinion if it is a legitimate method of installation that others can agree works. That is what I am trying to find out and thus the reason for the post.

Perhaps he is actually ahead of his time in innovation. I am simply looking for solid proof that at least some others in the industry share this difference of opinion. So far I haven't found one. I'm hoping some other pros can offer me information as I have zero expertise in this realm.

Licensing might not change anything in this particular situation. I am licensed in my industry and knowing that I can have my license pulled and be banned from the industry is not something I walk around worrying about because I am confident in my work. But for my clients it is an avenue they can pursue if I give them very bad advice.

As well, licensing in my industry requires very grueling study and exams to get the license, and then ongoing continuing education. I am assuming this is the case for all professions that require licensing. It still does not guarantee that all in the industry are "good apples", but I think it helps.