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precautions necessary for correct installation. Prepare the substrate, ensure the correct composition of mortars or adhesives, respect specified drying
times, expansion joint positions and beating methods, etc.
Installing tiles with adhesives
Tiles must be installed by qualified persons using suitable equipment. Installation should always be performed under good lighting conditions.
The choice of adhesive depends on the type of tile (material and size), the substrate to be covered and the use to which the tile will be subject.
Check that the material has been correctly installed before the adhesive dries completely, so that minor corrections can be made if necessary.
Installing tiles with fresh mortar
The use of fresh, cement-based mortar or “thick-bed” mortar is not recommended for tile sizes with long sides of over 30 cm or for non-absorbent
substrates.
Instructions:
1. Check that the substrate (screed) is hard enough, clean, free from cracks and smooth, with a maximum variation in level of 1 mm/2 metres.
2. First apply adhesive to the tile and substrate, then lift the tile and, with great care and using suitable moving equipment, lay it gently on the
adhesive of the substrate. Once in place, the tile cannot be lifted again, and position adjustments are restricted to a maximum of 4-5 cm.
3. Use a manual or electric, anti-bounce tile beater to beat the tile, working from the centre outwards and in straight lines. This ensures maximum
adhesion between the tile/adhesive/substrate and facilitates the elimination of air. Remove any adhesive forced out from the joints to keep them
free for grouting.
4. Place spacers around the edges of contact with other tiles to form a joint of at least 2 mm.
5. Position the tiles one after another, moving them into place with a suitable manual tool and leaving a joint of at least 2 mm between them. Always
lay floors first and then tile the walls. A gap of at least 3 mm should be left between the perimeter of the floor and the bottom of walls.
6. Use self-levelling spacers to ensure the accurate positioning of tiles. These should be removed when the adhesive is dry and before grouting. Insert
wedges by pushing them towards the tile laid previously. Wedges can correct up to 1 mm of difference in height.
7. When the adhesive is completely set, remove the levelling wedges with a mallet.
8. After installation, and depending on the type of adhesive used, floor surfaces should not be walked on for 12-24 hours.
Technical Joints
Structural expansion and movement joints are essential to the durability of an attractive tiled surface. Ask a professional tiler for advice and/or help.
Structural expansion joints should be located over those found in the substrate and made using a suitable sealant or profile.
In outdoor floors, movement joints must be provided in areas of 9-12 sq.m. depending on the substrate and in high traffic indoor areas or on flexible
substrates. Areas can be increased to 20-25 sq.m for indoor floors over a stable substrate.
In any case, always leave a gap of 3-5 mm between the perimeter of the floor and any walls, columns or corners and between tiled sections and
sections covered in other materials.
The manufacturer declines all responsibility for installations without adequate joints between tiles: the minimum acceptable joint between tiles is 2
mm.
7_GROUTING
Wait for the adhesive to set completely before grouting.
Instructions:
1. Make sure that the joints are clear and free from all traces of adhesive and/or powder. Residual material preventing filling of the joint to at least 2/3
the thickness of the tile must be removed.
2. Grout small areas at a time (4-5 sq.m.) especially when working with textured, non-slip or polished tiles. Use a suitable rubber spatula. Always test
grout of a colour that contrasts with the tiles on a small, hidden area before grouting the rest of the surface.
3. Remove excess grout from the surface in diagonal strokes before the product dries, and remove all residues.
4. Clean the surface thoroughly with a sponge damped in clean water then wipe down the surface, including the joints with a damp cloth. Use a
sponge and plenty of water to clean off epoxy grouts.
The reaction times and hardness of these products makes it impossible to remove residues once set. Always refer to the grout manufacturer’s
specifications to ensure that the product is suitable for the type of tile.
8_CLEANING
The entire tiled surface must be cleaned, including the tiles, joints, movement joints and profiles. Cleaning must continue until all traces of installation
materials have been eliminated.
INITIAL CLEANING
Initial cleaning is of fundamental importance for all subsequent steps and for correct maintenance over time. Thorough initial cleaning helps floors
remain attractive and protected for years to come, and only has to be performed once, before the floor is used.
Initial cleaning should be performed 4-5 days after completion of grouting, when the grout sealant is perfectly dry, but no later than 10 days after.
Use an acid or alkaline detergent to suit the characteristics of the sealant. Always test detergents on an unused tile or on a small hidden area of the
floor to ensure compatibility, especially in the case of lapped or polished tiles. Do not use cleaning products containing hydrofluoric acid (HF) or its
derivatives.
After grouting and cleaning, the surface may still present a film of cement residue that cannot be removed using water alone. In such cases, the
residue must be removed using an acid-based product, diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Instructions:
1. Start by wetting the tile surface, especially the joints, which are not normally acid resistant.
2. Next, distribute the prepared acid solution over the surface and leave it react for a short time (2 minutes).
3. Do not allow the solution to dry on the floor. Remove it either manually or using a single-head scrubber-dryer fitted with a non-abrasive disc.
4. Rinse the surface thoroughly afterwards.
Use of a floor cleaner is particularly recommended for textured tiles and large surfaces. Manual methods can then be used to clean points
inaccessible to the machine such as corners, along walls and wherever the machine cannot operate.
ORDINARY CLEANING
The purpose of ordinary cleaning is to remove dirt and marks and to restore the surface’s original appearance. Porcelain tile does not require
protective treatment: regular, thorough cleaning is sufficient
to keep it in perfect condition. Clean tiled surfaces thoroughly using hot water, a soft cloth or sponge and neutral detergent if necessary.
Industrial scrubber-dryers can be used to clean large floors, with inaccessible areas cleaned manually afterwards.
9_GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Never rub surfaces with abrasive materials such as metal scrubbing pads or hard brushes as these might leave indelible scratches or marks.
Remove greasy or oily residues using a detergent containing organic solvents or with an alkaline detergent (pH>9), then rinse the area thoroughly.
Do not use soaps as they can leave a slippery film on the surface, especially if used with hard water.
Do not use products containing waxes or shine- enhancing rinse agents. Do not use abrasive detergents on smooth and/or polished surfaces.
In the case of matt materials, always test abrasive detergents on a small area of tile first.
Always test any non-neutral detergent on an unused tile or on a hidden area of the floor first.
SLABS TECHNICAL INFO
WARNING:
For material that has already been laid, Terratinta Group Srl:
• does not accept any complaints for visible defects.
• does not accept liability for the quality of the tiled surface but only for the characteristics of the material supplied.
• once the material has been laid, it is wise to keep aside a few tiles for possible future repairs or to have a sample of the material in the event of
complaints.
