Foundation (Screed or cement coating)

Create the foundation screed or the cement-mortar coating and wait until it reachesa residual moisture < than 2% (time of wait is approximately one week per each thickness cm).

The floor screed shall be more than 5cm thick and it shall respect the existing expansion joints. Before the laying check that screed and cement coating are suitable. The latter shall be insulated, dry, solid and resistant to compression. The laying bed shall be free from removable parts, dust, greases, oils, waxes, varnishes, release agents and any other thing that may negatively affect tiles’ adherence.

Should you notice any irregularities of the bed, correct them using levelling and self-levelling compounds. Always be sure of the excellent flatness of the bed, that must not have differences of levels greater than 2 mm.

Laying and Sealing

Apply the adhesive on the foundation in a homogeneus way and lay TECNIKA on the fresh glue respecting the open time of the adhesive before it forms a surface film.

The open time of the different adhesives (written in their technical specifications) can change a lot in case of high temperatures and ventilation. We suggest to dip tiles in clean water for some seconds before laying them, being sure to drip exceeding water, so that the adherence between the tile and the foundation is greater.Carefully press the tiles to obtain a perfect adherence and level them accurately and precisely, to avoid irregularities in tiles’ heights. Should the exceeding glue emerge between the tiles, it must be immediately removed with a wet sponge to avoid damages to the surface.

Width of the laying joints (spaces between tiles) shall be conformed to European rules (with minimum values of 2mm, so that the sealer can go well deep into them). However, dimensions of the tiles and the coefficient of thermal expansion can set the choice of joints with different width, especially in outdoor laying. Moreover, pre-existing expansion joints must be respected and fractional joints must be envisaged (for great surfaces panels of approx. 16 mq), but always following the recommendations of the person responsible of the laying operations. In a general way, the following binders can be suggested: KERAFLEX or KERAFLEX MAXI (by MAPEI), FLEXIGRES or PIASTRELLITE MARMO (by TORGGLER) or products with similar technical features, to be used according to the indications of the manufacturing companies considering also weather conditions.

Grouting of the joints shall be executed when the binder is partially hardened, using coloured professional sculptor’s plasters type KERACOLOR FF or GG (by MAPEI) or GIUNTOLARGO or GIUNTOFLEX (by TORGGLER) or similar products, having a colour the closest similar to the colour of the tile. Cleaning of theplaster has to be performed in due time using a sponge and clean water. Be careful with coloured plasters since they may stain the tile; if necessary, protect the pavement with an anti-staining treatment before the plastering. Absolutely avoid the use of plasters for dark joints such as antrax or black since they could damage the tile in an irreparable way. After laying, also avoid to lean cardboards with coloured writes, leaves of paper , plastic, nylon or adhesive strip directly on the tiles.