Finger Pointing?

1.6 Quality Assurance – Source Limitations for Setting and Grouting Materials

I received a call to go over a submittal package on a project where in the 093000 section they had selected different manufacturer’s products for the quarry tile installation. When you pick and choose different manufacturer’s products, you are becoming the scientist making sure all products are compatible. You are also voiding any possibility of a manufacturer’s warranty. In this case, the architect’s client was specifically asking for a warranty.

In most Quality Assurance sections I see today, there are source limitations for the tile and then source limitations for setting and grouting materials and source limitation for other products. Most of the manufacturers today make all the products for tile and stone installations with the exception of the tile.

If your client is asking for a warranty or you do not want the manufacturers playing the pointing game, then you need to include a source limitation for all setting, grouting and auxiliary materials including but not limited to waterproofing, crack prevention and sound isolation membranes, caulking, backerboards, self leveling underlayments, patching materials, primers, and care and maintenance products.

If I can be of any assistance in editing your Quality Assurance section in your 093000 specs please let me know.