Black & White Facilities / Service brief
Tiling
Tiles that have lifted, grout that has failed, cracked surfaces and damaged finishes in wet areas can each have a different underlying cause. Tell us when the fault was first logged, whether it has come back after earlier repairs and whether it followed another change to the room. That tells us whether to price a repair or investigate the background first.
What the work can include
- Inspection of the background the tiles sit on.
- Replacement of individual tiles or a new tiled finish.
- Movement joints, trims and the preparation agreed for the surface.
The scope is set out with the rooms included, the finishes retained and the completion information provided at handover. On a multi-building instruction, each room carries its site and location reference so spend and follow-up actions can be tracked.
Our full service catalogue, including every individual service, is available across every listed sector and location. For one site or several, we agree the scope, access and programme around the buildings concerned.
Important decisions
Tiles are the visible layer of a surface system, not the whole of it. In showers, changing rooms and kitchens, define the waterproofing layer and its interfaces at the outset rather than relying on grout alone. Grouping recurring faults by room or asset reference separates the reactive repair from the planned refurbishment.
Before we visit
Provide the tile size and whether matching stock is available, the room dimensions, the substrate and how the wet area is used. Attach relevant site records, the effect on operations and the spend that can be approved without escalation. Name the site contact and the periods the room can be out of use without disrupting critical activity.
How the work proceeds
The enquiry confirms the result the client expects and what is already known. An inspection then establishes the condition of the background and the boundary of the instruction. Sequence, protection of adjoining finishes and access are agreed before removal begins.
When finished, the work is recorded against the site or room reference, with any open item separated from the completed instruction. That entry supports the next maintenance cycle and the budget.
What affects cost and timing
Removal, substrate repair, the complexity of the layout, cutting and the setting or curing time are the main variables. These decide labour, sequence and the time the room is unavailable; a photograph or a rough area alone rarely settles the scope.
Where more than one site is involved, compare like rooms and access assumptions before grouping them into a programme. Agree the temporary arrangements for users and the point at which additional work needs a fresh instruction.
Applications across sectors
Offices may need washrooms and kitchens released in phases. Education premises need the work timed around occupied areas. Hospitality and industrial properties have their own requirements on finish, cleaning and operating hours. Every setting is listed in sectors.
Local coverage
Black & White Facilities covers North East England, which includes Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley. Give the postcode and access details when you enquire, whether the premises are in Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, Middlesbrough or another listed area. The location directory shows the full coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Can failed grout just be raked out and renewed?
Where the tiles and the background are sound, yes. If the surface is moving, tiles have lifted or water has got behind the finish, that has to be resolved first or the new joint will fail again.
What information helps scope tiling?
Tile size and availability, room dimensions, substrate details and how the wet area is used, with the result you want and fixed access dates. Earlier reports save the assessment repeating what has already been looked at.
What most affects the price and the programme?
Removal, substrate repair, layout complexity, cutting and setting or curing time. A written scope that shows the preparation, access and completion tasks it includes lets quotes be compared like for like.
How should the completed tiling be recorded?
Record the site and works reference, the areas retiled or components replaced and any remaining action. Keep limitations separate from completed work so the asset record can be relied on.
Guides and useful reading
The decisions behind this service are covered in building fabric planning guidance. Repair versus replacement looks at condition, cost and disruption together where an element or asset needs attention.
See HSE construction guidance for the broader working context.
Related services and your enquiry
Building Fabric lists the whole family of services. Related work includes Building Envelope and Facade Repairs, Ceilings and Partitions and Cladding and Curtain Walling. The wider requirement is covered by all services, maintenance, projects, sectors and locations.
Contact Black & White Facilities with the site reference, the priority for the site, the authorised contact and whatever records you hold. Tile size and availability, room dimensions, substrate details and wet-area use, where known, let scoping start from the room itself.
Discuss the scope
Tell us what needs attention.
Share the site, the issue and any access requirements so we can discuss the next step.