ASK THE EXPERTS QUESTION Attached are photos of a chip on an installed tile wall at the World Trade Center, discovered during a walk-through. There are numer- ous chips like this on the job from damage by other trades after we finished installing. The architect is calling out these tiny chips on the punchlists and I’m arguing about it with him con- sidering the tiny size. Sure we can remove and replace chipped tile, but I think there would be more of a mess than they might want to deal with. Is there any criteria for this? Like if a chip is less than 1/16” it stays? Please let me know, and thanks in advance. ANSWER There are no criteria that I am aware of that states what size chip is acceptable. It is extremely unfor- tunate when other trades do not respect our installations. There is some debate as to whether it is a tile contractor’s responsibility to protect our work, or whether it falls to the trade that comes behind us to use a modicum of precaution and protection. Perhaps you will be able to bill the contractor that damaged your work for your time to repair the damage they caused. Please refer to these standards: • ANSI A108 is the Tile Industry Standard Specification for the Installation of Ceramic Tile. • ANSI A108.02 is the General Requirements for Materials, Environmental and Workmanship. • ANSIA108.02 4.3 is the section that discusses Workmanship, Cutting, Fitting and Grout Joint Size. Sponsored by 22 TileLetter | June 2017