Help. Does anyone know if a repair is possible ?

Question

My tiler cut the wires of my underfloor heating mat today and didnt tell me. I have just discovered the system is not working--its a devimat. I cannot retile the bathroom as there is a very weighty castiron bath in place. Do I have to forfeit the system or is there a way round this.? I would really appreciate an informed reply as I am very upset by this. Its the latest in a long list of damage caused by the contractors

Answer 1

you can hire an electrician (that has the special tool) to locate where the wire is cut, so you don't have to tear out the whole floor. But I would be calling the tile installer, or the general contractor, and mention a law suit if nothing is done.

Answer 2

I understand that people want things done right, and you should expect quality work, but people are so quick to jump on the lawsuit solution. Just present the problem to the contractor. If you hired a general contractor, it is his responsibility to fix the problem, whether the tile setter was an employee or subcontracted. What I'm saying is if you have a general contractor contact him, not the tile contractor. Then the general will have the tile contractor fix it.

If you contracted the tile setter yourself, then you need to present the problem directly to him.

But don't start out of the gate with threats of lawsuits. I know I wouldn't appreciate that. But if there are any final payments to be made refuse to pay. What I would do is write a letter, use neutral, nonthreatening language, but be stern. Tell them that you need to address the problem within two days of receiving the letter and call you within 24 hours of receiving the letter to arrange a meeting. Then give them a reasonable amount of time to fix the problem. When they call, be polite. If they fail to due so, write another letter, telling them they failed to respond to the first letter and restating your position, and cite the conditions of the contract (hopefully, you have a contract) If they still refuse, then you should start with the lawsuit threats. Document all conversations, both written and verbal, time, date, statements made by both you and him, if it does go to court. If this doesn't get through to him, talk to a lawyer.

While it isn't your responsibility to find a solution, I'd suggest you research it. That way you know the process. Just remember you contracted them for results, it isn't you responsibility to provide the methods.

But if start with an automatic adversary relationship, it isn't going to get better. I understand you want it done right the first time, but that didn't happen. So now try to get done right the second time, and threats right away just mean it is less likely. You want the best results, and starting a fight over what is probably an honest mistake, and starting lawsuits right away, isn't going to yield the results you deserve.

Now after saying this don't settle for anything less than what you contracted.

If you do it this way, it probably won't go to court, you won't have to take as much time from work, and the problem will be fixed quicker and better.

Answer 3

I don't know anything about devimat but I'm almost sure any heating element is just a long filament. There is a tool that electricians use to trace the wires that lead to electrical outlets.
You might need to inject a audible signal along the AC line of the heating filament and sniff out the signal until the signal is no longer audible. This might help you pinpoint the exact location of the break, minimizing the number of tiles that would need to be removed to fix your problem.
Might be a long shot but it might be worth doing, at least run it by the devimat folks first.

Answer 4

A qualified electrician should be able to repair this, even if he has to run a totally new wire. I would make the tilers pay for this repair, stop payment on the check.

Answer 5

Talk to a lawyer the contractor is responsible for fixing the problem.