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Tile Installation Procedure
A successful tile installation guarantees years of trouble-free performance and increases your home’s value and beauty.
To properly install tile follow the steps below:
• Surface Preparation
Tile may be installed over most structurally-sound substrates. Make sure all surfaces to be tiled are cle-
an, smooth, dry and free of wax, soap scum and grease. Any damaged, loose or uneven areas must be repai-
red, patched, and leveled. Remove all moldings, trims, appliances, etc. which may interfere with the installation.
Door jambs may be undercut for tiles to slip under.
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Layout: When tiling walls, tubs, or shower areas, begin by finding the center point of the wall. Use a level to draw a
plumb line in the center of the wall. Align a row of loose tiles across the bottom of the wall from the center line, leaving
uniform joints between tiles.
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Setting Tile: Variation of shade and texture is an inherent characteristic of tiles/slabs. For a blended effect, mix tiles
from several cartons as you set. It is important to use the correct adhesive for a particular substrate (surface) in order
to ensure a proper bond. Before setting your tiles, select the correct adhesive. Once you have chosen the proper adhe-
sive or mortar, read all instructions and precautions on the package before using. Mix thin set or mortar according to
the directions on the package. Mix only enough to be used within 30 minutes. Pre-mixed wall tile adhesives can be ap-
plied directly from the can without mixing. Determine the appropriate type of trowel (V or square-notch) and the right
size (depth of notches) for the type of tile you are setting. Refer to the setting material package for recommendations.
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Grouting Joints: Before grouting joints, the tile should be well-set to prevent breaking the bond. Refer to the adhesive
package for specific time. Generally, you should wait about 24 hours before grouting. Remove all the spacers used
for setting. Determine the grout color of your choice. For best results, choose on the color-coordinates with the tile.
Remove excess grout from the surface immediately with edge of float. Tilt float at a 90 degree angle and scrape it
diagonally across the tiles. Continue the process of compacting, then scraping off excess, until you have grouted for
approximately 30 minutes or when the mixture begins to stiffen.
Floor tiles adhesives are heavier and thicker than the wall tiles but you can use same adhesives for wall 1cm or 2cm slabs.
They are also more resilient to vertical pressure. It is therefore important that you go for a strong floor tile adhesive when
buying your flooring supplies. Tile adhesives are either in powder form or in the form of ready-mixed pastes. Powdered
adhesives require mixing with water. They turn into a slurry, which provides a strong bond. They are suitable for floor tiles.
On the other hand, ready-mixed pastes are usable without any prior preparations. They serve best in securing wall tiles.
Procedure of fixing tiles and slabs
Importance of tile adhesives
Optimum setting time of tile adhesive allows tiles to be easily adjusted within a certain period. It makes tiles being laid in
line and gives the aesthetic final look. Applying tile adhesive with notched trowel provides full spread on the back of tiles
and will reduce many problems like broken tiles esp. on the corner, water seeping, and stain or efflorescent. Full con-
tact of the adhesive on tiles’ back and substrate provides strong bonding strength and long-lasting tiling work. A white
cement mixture (for flooring) for tile installation requires many different things that need to be in a perfect ratio. It is not
very easy and also takes a lot of time. But Tile Adhesive, which is made especially for this purpose, comes completely
prepared. Everything that needs to be mixed comes already mixed in the bag. This saves a lot of time and effort. Laying
tiles by using tile adhesive with notched trowel requires less amount of material. The adhesive layer is a lot thinner than
the mixture of sand-cement, and this leads to a lighter load to the building structure. A good quality tile adhesive is a
premixed cementbased powder that is easy to apply and requires no curing. This does away the curing need and saves
time in tiling work. The importance of tile adhesives in a nutshell-
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Fast and efficient
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Easy to use, only mix with water
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Better bonding strength
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Applicable on existing tiles, many special substrates like polished cement, dry wall system, etc.
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Thinner layer
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Due to its low shrinkage property, it gives excellent adhesion.
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It is very flexible for accommodating the thermal and also physical movements.
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It requires almost no amount of curing and needs no mechanical or hacking ofthe surface.
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The floors where tile adhesive is applied can be usable only after 24 hours.
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No backing surface and soaking of any tile are required in any way.
