[Closed] Dear ShowerTrayWorld - advice required

Was it laid on dabs or a solid sub-base?

Depends what the fitting instructions say. What make and model is it?

OP - we're here for you. Where are you?

On a solid sub base.
Scudo make. No model name.

These?

https://issuu.com/scudobeautifulbathrooms/docs/scudo_version7_lores/56?ff=true

If so, then I can see why you'd be stroppy '100% Natural stone Resin' sounds fairly unambiguous.

Yep. Those ^

would there have been an issue is the polystyrene area was instead a void of air?
Does it serve to keep your feet warmer or is it designed in as a structural replacement to save stone resin?

Bear in mind concrete slabs are routinely insulated with polystyrene.

Was the crack there before install?
Dropping a tile could break a tray.
Did you take photos during tear out so the company can determine manufacturing defect vs improper install/tiler damage?

They also state a lifetime warranty.

So what is the issue? I assume the manufacturer are happy to replace the faulty tray, just not further compensate you? We had similar after we installed a similar low profile tray but it was thinner (by several mm) on one side than the other and played havoc with the levels. They accepted responsibility but wouldn't further compensate us - just replaced the tray. Fortunately for us it was noticed before the installation was complete so it was put right with some cost but it was minimal.

And I don't think you have any comeback on the supplier - just the manufacturer.

The issue is -
Advertised as 100% stone resin.
Polystyrene used as a structural element, not a void filler.
In section, the resin is a u shape filled with poly, hence the acrylic is resting on top of poly.
Normally the section is an n shape so acrylic rests on strong stone, and the void can be air or in fact poly, I wouldn't care, its not structural.
It was cracked because it isn't supported.
I would not have bought it if I had known its construction.

So what are the manufacturer / supplier doing to fix this for you? Supplying a replacement? Giving you a refund?

Unfortunately for you I doubt they have any further legal obligation to you so it's up to you to take it further if you genuinely think they have misrepresented the product.

Supplier and manufacturer both not interested.
Supplier actually thinks this is a superior system, even though and I quote "I've never seen anything like that before".
Cue much arguing...

Hence my post - anyone got any experience of this type of construction?

Tiling done.
Tiler finds massive crack in shower tray.
Shower tray destroyed to remove it

How did the tray get destroyed during removal? The manufacturer may be sceptical because of this - they presumably think the tray was broken during installation somehow.

It does sound rather like the tray was installed incorrectly and broke during the tiling.

It does sound rather like the tray was installed incorrectly and broke during the tiling.

I'm unsure how its not supported..
If it was installed correctly, the poly is the support.
If I'm doing a tiled shower base and tiled curb, I use polystyrene not a mud bed.
The poly is 100% fit for purpose.. however, if I left massive voids under the poly, then yep, its going to crack tile.
Look at what the germand do.. all poly, no drama
[img] [/img]
Images might help though.

Crack was underneath intact protective wrap. Nothing dropped, no tiles were harmed in the making of this problem. Installer knows what he's doing and I trust him with my unlocked bikes. Yes, that much.

I don't want a replacement from the supplier, I want a 100% stone resin normal shower tray. But thanks for the blame replies.

dirksdiggler - interesting photo. I agree poly makes a good base for tiles. You would also, presumably, put a nice solid shower tray on that base, but would you cover that base with acrylic sheet and call it a shower tray? Cos thats what my tray is equivalent of.

I'm putting a sheet of kerdi 'fabric' then tile.
The system is superb. I'd look at over a tray at every opportunity.

Just get a Mira flight and be done with it.

Better than nearly any of the Stone resin trays I’ve come across. Easier to install, lighter, generally flatter too.

So what reason are the supplier and manufacturer using to not give you a replacement?

Just get a Mira flight and be done with it.

I assume you contacted the supplier/manufacturer before ripping out the tray, and have photos showing it in position?

Surly it is still 100% a plastic shower tray with a bit of stone mixed in, just cause the whole thing isn’t plastic stone doesn’t mean the bit that isn’t, isn’t if you get what I mean 😆

These are solid resin (JT Fusion model) at least I bloody hope they are. Check for local stockist.

[url= http://www.just-trays.co.uk/ ]Just Trays[/url]

If the sub base isn't flat or is incorrectly bedded the weight of the tile installer will crack the base. Seen it happen with large format thin tiles. Sounds like a sensitive product / installer issue to me

So what reason are the supplier and manufacturer using to not give you a replacement?

I assume you contacted the supplier/manufacturer before ripping out the tray, and have photos showing it in position?

All this - I am still of the opinion that all isn't as the OP claims. No reasonable manufacturer would refuse a replacement if they had supplied something faulty and it seems odd that the OP didn't photograph everything prior to 'destroying' it to get it out. OP - did they manufacturer offer a replacement and if not, why not?

And – at what point did the crack become apparent? How do you think it happened? I struggle to see how a correctly installed tray would crack during installation unless something was dropped on it or it had been dropped prior to installation (and if that happened then surely it would be checked before installing).

OP? [b]OP?[/b]

Just get a Mira flight and be done with it.

Thread hijack...we are in the process of purchasing a new shower etc. Is this the go to one? Found some in our budget currently in the sale if so, which i could get on with ordering.

We have one of those (with the tiling upstands, seems like a good idea to me), been in 5 years, still perfect.

Oops - I guess the OP didn't get the answer he wanted from us either LOL

Wow, some of you would be a great asset to the bathroom shop that insists on blaming the customer.

Yes we took photos, no we didn't crack it on purpose, yes we had to destroy it to get it out because a well installed shower tray doesn't come out without destruction, yes the shop is blaming us. Yes the shop delivered a replacement, No I don't want this PoC in my bathroom, no they won't compensate us. OK?

The plot thickened today. Scudo (manufacturer) have never seen anything like this, and its not there product. This is in writing. So the shop is basically defrauding us. Providing an inferior product passing it off as something it's not. The replacement tray came in a plastic bag (not a box - alarm#1) with a Scudo sticky label on (alarm#2). I actually think he's taken a tray out of a box and stuck a fake label on the plastic wrapper.
I will be constructing a documented complaint tonight, for compensation and reporting to trading standards.

Don't get so tetchy !

Surly contact trading standards before contacting them back now?

Scudo (manufacturer) have never seen anything like this, and its not there product.

Have they asked you to send off a sample of the original tray to them to confirm this?

Have they asked you to send off a sample of the original tray to them to confirm this?

Why would you need to do that? If it looks different to the stuff they make its not theres?

Interesting! Just out of interest:

yes the shop is blaming us. Yes the shop delivered a replacement

The replacement tray came in a plastic bag (not a box - alarm#1)