Ottawa & Orléans — Owner-Operated
Owner-operated installation focused on proper prep, layout, waterproofing, flatness, coverage, and clean finishing details.
Why Homeowners Trust
Most flooring problems aren't visible until after installation. Hollow tile. Grout that cracks in six months. A shower that leaks behind the wall. These failures come from skipping steps that don't show up in photos — substrate flatness, proper mortar coverage, waterproofing laps, movement joints.
I'm Joseph Leger. I do this work because I'm good at it and because I care about it being done correctly. Every project I take gets the same standard: the substrate is right before anything goes down, the waterproofing is done properly, and the layout is set for symmetry and long-term performance.
I don't use subcontractors. I don't rush curing times. I don't skip the steps that no one will see.
About Joseph →
How I Work
Six things I focus on that most installers skip or rush.
The tile is only as good as what's underneath it. I check for deflection, high spots, and low spots before anything else. Large-format tile requires the floor to be flat within 3mm over 3 metres — I achieve that before I start layout.
Schluter-KERDI membrane on every shower — properly lapped at seams, fully embedded in unmodified thinset, flood-tested for 24 hours before tile. I'm Schluter Certified, which means I've had manufacturer training on the correct installation methods.
Layout is planned before the first tile is set. I snap reference lines, dry-lay the field to check grout joints and symmetry, and adjust the starting point so cuts are balanced and focal points are centred. No one wants a tiny sliver tile next to the vanity.
Large-format tile needs back-buttering and full-coverage troweling. The standard is 95% on wet areas, 80% minimum elsewhere. I check coverage by lifting test tiles during installation — not after grouting when it's too late to fix.
Tile expands and contracts. Without movement joints at perimeters and field breaks on large installations, grout cracks. I plan for this at layout — not as an afterthought. On heated floors, I use flexible adhesive rated for thermal cycling.
Grout consistency matters. Caulk joints at changes of plane are done cleanly and tooled properly. Trim profiles are cut square and mitred where they meet. The last 5% of a tile job is where the craftsmanship shows — and I don't rush it.
What I Install
Every service starts with the same foundation: substrate assessment, correct materials, and execution that holds up long-term.
Porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, large-format. Proper layout lines, full mortar coverage, consistent joints. Precision cuts on the PIKUS 130 bridge saw.
Learn more →Full floor-to-ceiling tile work, niche and bench integration, waterproofing, drain installation, and trim details. Managed start to finish by one person.
Learn more →Walk-in showers built right. Schluter-KERDI waterproofing membrane, flood-tested before tile, niche cutouts with the bridge saw, and caulked changes of plane.
Learn more →Schluter-KERDI membrane properly lapped at inside corners and seams, embedded in unmodified thinset, and flood-tested for 24 hours before tile goes down.
Learn more →Electric radiant heat under tile. Mapei Certified installation using heat-compatible flexible adhesives. Cable resistance tested before tile, during, and after grouting.
Learn more →Floating or glue-down LVP on properly prepared subfloors. Expansion gaps at perimeters, transitions where required, and clean threshold details.
Learn more →Solid and engineered hardwood, nail-down or glue-down. Acclimated properly before installation, fitted to the structure of the room, not just the walls.
Learn more →Cracked tile, hollow spots, lifting LVP, failed grout, squeaky hardwood. I diagnose what caused the failure — not just what's visible at the surface.
Learn more →Lobby, corridor, and commercial-space tile repair and replacement. Colour-matched grout finishing, minimal disruption, and correct substrate diagnosis.
Learn more →What Makes the Work Different
Real Project Proof
Real installations. Real homes. No stock photos.
Before I Start
Most flooring failures are preventable. I find these before the tile goes down — not after.
How I Work With You
Before any work starts, I walk through what I found during assessment, what I recommend, and why. If something unexpected comes up during the job, I show you and explain the options before I make decisions that affect your home or your budget.
You'll know what's happening at every stage — not just at the quote and the invoice.
I look at the substrate, the existing conditions, and the scope before I quote. The quote reflects what I actually found — not a best-case estimate.
If I find something you should know about — a soft spot under the tile, a drain that's positioned wrong — I photograph it and show you before I proceed.
Changes to scope get discussed before they happen. You approve additional work before I do it. The final number isn't a surprise.
The Owner
I started Symmetrical Flooring because I wanted to do this work at a level that's hard to find from larger crews. Tile and flooring installation rewards preparation and patience — two things that tend to get cut when a company has multiple jobs running and needs to move fast.
I take on projects I can do properly. That means a manageable schedule, no handoffs, and my full attention on the substrate, layout, and execution. When you hire me, I'm the one doing the work.
FAQ