All It’s Cracked Up to Be

A retailer alerted their mall that cracked tiles existed in front of their location, believing that the mall would schedule maintenance for issues existing outside the store space.  However, it became apparent that not only could the mall management not locate the specs for the existing tiles, but they would not not assume responsibility for the repair.  Our client could not ignore the cracked tiles that detracted from the storefront appearance.  Resicom was contacted to not only repair the issue, but first identify and locate the replacement tiles.  

Scope

The scope of work needed to complete this rollout:

1. Assess cracked tiles at storefront; determine amount needed and size.  
2. Meet with the mall management to ascertain any existing information in regards to tile, and history of previous replacement.
3. Dispatch technician to source tile.
4. Install tile spec, and match grout to existing.  
5. Provide after photos to the client.

Challenges

The challenges of this project included:

1. Mall insists they do not possess the necessary spec.
2. Mall maintains store replaced tiles with their own spec, while store disputes.
3. Regardless of who was responsible for tile replacement, no extra tiles are available for repair. 
4. Local tile suppliers are unable to match tile sample. 
5. Once tile is located, repairs will need to be completed after hours as repair will inhibit entrance to store.  

Solution

We understood the the extra time required for this project would focus on not just the execution of the repair, but the research of the necessary materials. 

Our solution for the project included:

1. Sending a technician to the store to assess the tiles, and acquire photos and measurements to begin research of replacement materials. 
2. Initiate dialogue with both store and all management to gather any available information, and is provided with contact information for mall’s original general contractor.
3. Resicom learns from general contractor that crew chief has 1 extra box of exact mall tiles in his possession in the event of damage.  
4. Tile is sent to Resicom’s project manager, who then sources grout to match. 
5. Resicom technician is scheduled to complete repair after hours through management and security, and delivers extra tiles to store for safe-keeping. 
6. Repair is completed and photos documenting the project execution are electronically sent to the client’s home office. 

Summary

Resicom understands that that poor planning and little research yields poor results. Instead of wasting countless man hours driving to dozens of tile suppliers, we took the time to gather research from both our client and mall management.  This proactive approach led to finding the necessary tiles quickly and efficiently.  Resicom was able to execute the project without the added expense of sourcing extra materials, with the surplus safely housed with the client in the event of future need.