Description
On receipt of tiles we recommend they are removed from their packaging and thoroughly inspected prior to installation to ensure the tiles purchased are suitable for the application. Ensure your tiler is aware of the expected finish of the tiles and there are sufficient tiles for the area. The tiles must be well shuffled by drawing tiles from all the boxes. Dry lay an area in suitable light as a final check before installation.
For further information or if any doubt exists, please telephone your local showroom for advice prior to commencing any tiling.
Do not spot fix tiles, maximise the adhesive by using backwards and forward motion to get 100% bonding. Do not use a mallet of any type.
No complaints regarding the appearance of the product will be accepted by the company once the tiles have been installed.
Surface preparation:
The surface must be properly prepared, suitably level, sound, clean, dry, and free of dust, grease or any loose material. All surfaces must be completely secure without any obvious deflection and capable of carrying the additional load. Every effort is made to ensure the guidance included is up to date and relevant, however it remains the responsibility of the fixer to ensure the sub floor is suitable for tiling before any installation commences.
Concrete / Sand and cement screeds:
New concrete floors must be allowed to dry for a minimum of 6 weeks. If applying a screed on top allow a minimum of a further 3 weeks. Residual traces of laitance and curing agents should be mechanically removed before tiling commences. Further drying time may be necessary, depending on weather and site conditions. The reason for this is a new screed may shrink as it dries, and this may result in cracks across the screed. If tiles are fixed before it is dry and cracking does occur it is likely that the cracks will appear across the tiles as well. Any movement or day joints in the screed must be carried through into the tiled surface with the use of an expansion joint.
Suspended timber floors:
The floor should be rigid, non-flexing and stable enough to bear the additional load. If the suspended timber floor is subject to vertical movement, the floor must be overlaid with 18mm WBP plywood over the existing timber which should be screwed down at 150mm centres.
Installing Encaustic Tiles:
The top layer of our encaustic tiles is very delicate and each tile should be handled with care. Whether you decide to install this product yourself or use a contractor please bear in mind that the tiles must be kept meticulously clean through the whole process – we recommend wearing protective gloves. Any staining to the surface of the tile before sealing could be difficult to remove.
Sealing the Tiles:
All encaustic tiles are porous, therefore it is important to seal the tiles correctly to reduce the natural absorption and maintain the desired appearance. If the recommended care system is used the surface will be easier to maintain.
It is important for the correct products to be used when sealing, finishing and maintaining your tiles.
