Advice - Remove and Replace Tile Trim?

[Wrongfoot]

Hi everyone, I've been left with a bit of a disaster to try and make good after a builder made a right hash job of tiling a bathroom.

the tiles are a little uneven, but acceptable, the issue is with the tile trim, I had plenty of 1/4 round tile trim, but while I was out and about, the builder doing the tiling persuaded my wife that 90 degree tile trim would be much better (might be so) but he went and got some 90 degree tile trim from his van in three different colours!! A dark beige a cream and a white, and not enough of it either... The result is the tiled area around the bath/shower, which extends up to within one foot below the ceiling, has a beige trim on the left, a white trim on the right and no trim on the top where the wall extends up. Also the splashback on the other side of the bathroom with tiles under a cabinet and above a toilet and sink combi unit, intended to match has the cream trim at either end and it is obvious.

I've no hope of small claims or getting this made good, as the cowboy is a distant relative, he's not inclined to be reasonable and the family fallout from holding him accountable is not acceptable.

I don't have many spare tiles at all and can't source identical ones, I'm considering carefully using hand tools/a multitool to chase out the tile adhesive, grout etc. and remove and replace the trims with matching colours and also fit a trim to the top edge of the bath tiled area. I have matching grout to make good the new trim gaps.

Is this doable with the tiles in place? Anyone done this and have advice from experience? I need this fixed for property sale and using funds to pay for a professional would cut into money needed for other completion work so even if this isn't optimal I'd prefer to attempt it as a cheaper option than a re-tile.

Is there any reason can't use no more nails to hold the trim down the back, before the grouting holds everything together? It's water based and excess could be cleaned out to leave clean gaps for the grout so I don't clart up the tile edges with tile adhesive trying to shove the trimming in? Has anyone else ever had to put something like this right?

 

[simplesteve]

That, is not an easy job, and something I’ve turned down when asked to do. BUT, if you HAVE to attempt something …….
To limit the damage you are likely to cause when getting the trim off, you have to appreciate that the adhesive on the back of the tile will have a good grip of the back of the trim. There is absolutely no way you are getting the back of the trim out without wreaking havoc.
So, you are left with ‘ how do I get the top of the trim off’ ? Going by the different colours it’s obviously plastic trim. I wouldn’t take a multi tool to it, as I’m guessing Ceramic tiles, which will chip and break at the corners. I’d remove as much grout as possible from around the trim, and then after fitting a brand new blade to a Stanley knife I would carefully pull a blade along under the trim. You’ll prob have to do this at least a dozen times with a few changes of blade.
Eventually, when you get it off, you’ll need to cut the back off the new trims first, so you are just sticking the 1/4 round on the top. I’d use a tube of ‘ sticks like ‘ and have a roll of masking tape handy to hold it down and in, cos there’s no way that walls gonna be flat !
Good luck !

 

[Koolpc]

Maybe the builder is colour blind!!!

 

[simplesteve]

Yip, without the ‘colour’ bit ! Lol

 

[stevie888]

That, is not an easy job, and something I’ve turned down when asked to do. BUT, if you HAVE to attempt something …….
To limit the damage you are likely to cause when getting the trim off, you have to appreciate that the adhesive on the back of the tile will have a good grip of the back of the trim. There is absolutely no way you are getting the back of the trim out without wreaking havoc.
So, you are left with ‘ how do I get the top of the trim off’ ? Going by the different colours it’s obviously plastic trim. I wouldn’t take a multi tool to it, as I’m guessing Ceramic tiles, which will chip and break at the corners. I’d remove as much grout as possible from around the trim, and then after fitting a brand new blade to a Stanley knife I would carefully pull a blade along under the trim. You’ll prob have to do this at least a dozen times with a few changes of blade.
Eventually, when you get it off, you’ll need to cut the back off the new trims first, so you are just sticking the 1/4 round on the top. I’d use a tube of ‘ sticks like ‘ and have a roll of masking tape handy to hold it down and in, cos there’s no way that walls gonna be flat !
Good luck !

Maybe a hook blade to pull the grout out better before you get down to the back of the edging?