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Recommended fixing methods
Before fixing the tiles, lay them out in the desired pattern and make sure that they give an acceptable blend of colors and design. Also make sure that the tiles are acceptable to your satisfaction. Please note that certain amount of shade & size variation is inherent in all vitrified products and the company will bear no liability after the tiles are fixed for fixing vitreous tiles, we recommend the use of tiles fixing adhesives, for best results; follow the fixing instructions provided by the adhesive manufacturers, However we are recommending the general procedure of fixing the tiles with cement applicable for low to medium heights. When the adhesives are used, please substitute the word CEMENT with ADHESIVE in the guidelines under the title LAYING METHOD.
Horizontal ‐ Floor applications
Substrate preparation
- The ground should be compacted properly by ramming and applying
water on it as per the standard practice to create a firm base. Ensure that there is no settlement of base. Also ensure the natural slope for drainage. - Please lay the tiles on the substrate to match the colour properly before actualfixing.
- For low pedestrian traffic, on this base apply 4” to 6” thick BBCC (Brick Bats Cement Concrete).
- For medium traffic floor, on the BBCC base, make 3” thick PCC (Plain
Cement Concrete) in 1:3:6.
Laying methods
- Prepare base mortar by mixing sand and cement in 1:4 proportions.
- Lay the mortar on the substrate prepared as mentioned above in required line and level. It should be noted that in any case the bed mortar thickness should be more than 1” thickness.
- Mark the centerline and fix the tiles on all the corners and center in the required level. Preferably, start fixing tiles parallel to longer span.
- Prepare thick cement paste by mixing water & cement. Apply this paste on the backside of the tile to fix it.
- Fixing of tile has to be done with minimum gap of 8mm. We do not recommend tiles to be laid without gap (to provide for expansion due to sun light/heat).
- Lay the tiles on this firm base and ram lightly with the help of rubber hammer or trowel from top. See that the tile top surface is laid in required line and level with proper joint gap.
- Utmost care should be taken while fixing other tiles in terms of matching lines and keeping exact joint width between tiles. (For maintaining joint width spacers are recommended of required joint thickness).
Vertical ‐ Wall applications
Substrate preparation
- The wall has to be plastered in line, level and plumb with 1:4 of cement and sand mortar in thickness of minimum 12 mm.
- the surface should be rough and in perfect line, level and plumb.
- Allow the surface to settle for minimum 72 hours and cure with water to avoid any hair line cracks and hollows from inside.
- Also, there should not be any leakage of water or drainage pipes, which will render the adhesives to poor performance.
Laying methods
- Use cement and sand mortar in the ratio of 1:3 proportions for interior and 1:4 proportions for exterior applications.
- Prepare thick cement paste by mixing water & cement. Apply this paste on the backside of the tile to fix it.
- Mark the level at a height of 3’‐0” from the bottom of the wall and draw a horizontal line.
- Prepare the mortar of any good brand of tile fixing adhesive as per the method suggest by adhesive manufacturer.
- Apply the mortar on the wall with the help of notched trowel. (The width of notch will be recommended by the adhesive manufacturer).
- Fixing of tile has to be done with minimum gap of 5 mm to 15 mm. We do not recommend tiles to be laid without gap.
- Fix the tiles on the marked line to level and ram it properly with the help of hammer or rubber trowel so that it gets fixed properly.
- Utmost care has to be taken while fixing other tiles. The joint gap and line has to be maintained while fixing other tiles.
- It is recommended to use gap rod of required thickness and string for maintaining line.
Joint filling‐grouting
- Fill the joint gap after 24 hours when the tiles are properly set and cured with any well‐known joint filler. Prepare the consistent paste as per the method instructed by the joint filler manufacturer. Fill the joint with the help of rubber trowel. Before grouting, all the joints should be free from any dust and impurities.
- For filling the joints, keep the filler paste on the tiles and fill the gaps by spreading it in the space between the tiles with the help of rubber trowel in such a way that the entire area of joint gaps are filled with the joint filler paste. Apply light pressure of finger in such a way that it creates ‘U’ shape between two consecutive tiles and works as a small channel to pass water through it.
- Remove the excess joint filler from the tile surface before the setting time as recommended by the supplier with the help of rubber trowel.
Clearing
- Clean the surface with the help of a wet sponge or clean cloth immediately before setting time of joint fillers.
- After 24 hours of applying of joint filler, wash the surface with water and if required use any available mild detergent to remove dirt from ties.
- It is recommended not to use the laid tiles before 48 hours of fixing and/or before 24 hours of filling of joint.
These are recommended methods of laying as per international Norms published in good faith. Any liability due to non adherence of these norms by the contractor / mason and the resultant non conformance / performance is not assumed or imposed on the manufacturer i.e. PCPL.
The wall cladding/flooring is a composite of the quality of substrate, adhesive or cement, workmanship, ambient conditions, available time etc, besides the tile quality. So any inconsistency with the expected performance or looks of this composite may reflect on the tile. Such inference has to be validated before lodging any claim on the manufacturer.
Note: The colors of ceramic and vitrified products and those of printing inks do not match exactly therefore, color selection may be done from actual products. All dimensions are in millimeter (nominal) and are subject to change without notice.
