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Laying suggestions

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• 1) First tips

  Before starting the installation process, make sure the laying surface is well cured, flat and completely clean.

• 2) Recommended adhesives to fix wall and floor tiles

  The use of an appropriate adhesive is essential for a correct installation. For the installation of ceramic tiles, you should follow the laying instructions provided by leading adhesives manufacturers. You should choose the most suitable adhesive on the basis of the following factors:

  • type of bed;
  • type and size of tile;
  • use of tiled surface (floor/wall; indoor/outdoor);
  • weather conditions at the time of laying;
  • waiting time before the ceramic surface can be used.

  	Use Type of bed	Type of tile Type	Size (Cm)	Recommended Adeshives European Standards EN 12004 e EN 12002
  Indoor Wall Tiels	Cementitious plaster or mortar Plaster (plaster or panels, following application of a suitable PRIMER) Painted walls (only if the paint is firmly anchored)	double-fired tiles, fine glazed porcelain stoneware, white-body wall tiles, single-fired tiles	small and medium size (10x10;13x13;10x30; 20x20;25x33)	Normal cementitious adhesives with long open time (Class C1E - EN 12004)
  		white body wall tiles	large size (25x45;12,3x45;30,5x56;15x56;20x80; 30,5x91,5)	Improved cementitious adhesives resistant to slip and with long open time (Classe C2TE - EN 12004)
  		fine porcelain stoneware tiles	any size
  	Cast concrete Plasterboard Waterproofing in bathrooms and showers Existing ceramic tiles	double-fired tiles, fine glazed porcelain stoneware, white-body wall tiles, single-fired tiles	small and medium size (10x10;13x13;10x30; 20x20; 25x33)	Improved cementitious adhesives resistant to slip and with long open time(Classe C2TE - EN 12004)
  		fine porcelain stoneware tiles	size ≤ 30x30
  		white body wall tiles	large size (25x45;12,3x45;30,5x56;15x56;20x80; 30,5x91,5)	Improved cementitious adhesives resistant to slip with long open time (Classe C2TE - EN 12004 ) e deformabili (classe S1 - EN 12002)
  		fine porcelain stoneware tiles	size ≥ 30x30
  Indoor Floor	Cementitious screeds Existing cement floors (cement concrete, bush-hammered) Anhydrite screeds (following application of a suitable PRIMER)	double-fired tiles, fine glazed porcelain stoneware, white-body wall tiles, single-fired tiles	small and medium size	Normal cementitious adhesives with long open time (Classe C1E - EN 12004)
  		fine porcelain stoneware tiles	any size	Improved cementitious adhesives with long open time Class C2E - EN 12004)
  		double-fired tiles, fine glazed porcelain stoneware, white-body wall tiles, single-fired tiles	any size	Improved cementitious adhesives with long open time (Classe C1E - EN 12004)
  	Concrete floors - Heating floors Existing ceramic, terrazzo and natural stone floors Waterproofing in bathrooms	fine porcelain stoneware tiles	size ≤ 30x30	Improved cementitious adhesives with long open time (Classe C1E - EN 12004)
  		fine porcelain stoneware tiles	size ≥ 30x30	Improved cementitious adhesives with long open time (Classe C2E - EN 12004 ) and deformable(classe S1 - EN 12002)
  Outdoor Floor	Cementitious screeds Concrete floor Layers of waterproofing	fine porcelain stoneware tiles	Size ≤ 30x30	Improved cementitious adhesives with long open time (Class C2E - EN 12004) and deformable (Class S1 - EN 12002)
  		fine porcelain stoneware tiles	Size ≥ 30x30	Improved cementitious adhesives with long open time (Class C2E - EN 12004) and highly deformable (Class S2 - EN 12002)
  Outdoor Wall Tiles	Cementitious plaster	fine porcelain stoneware tiles	Size 30x30	Improved cementitious adhesives resistant to slip with long open time (Class C2TE - EN 12004)
  		fine porcelain stoneware tiles	Size ≥ 30x30 ; ≤ 45x45	(*) Improved cementitious adhesives resistant to slip with long open time (Class C2TE - EN 12004) and deformable (Class S2 - EN 12002)
  		fine porcelain stoneware tiles	Size ≥ 45x45	(*) Improved cementitious adhesives resistant to slip with long open time (Class C2TE - EN 12004) and highly deformable (Class S2 - EN 12002)
  	Concrete cast in situ or prefabricated	fine porcelain stoneware tiles	Size ≤ 20x20	Improved cementitious adhesives resistant to slip with long open time (Class C2TE - EN 12004)
  		fine porcelain stoneware tiles	Size ≥ 20x20; ≤ 30x30	Improved cementitious adhesives resistant to slip with long open time (Class C2TE - EN 12004) and deformable (Class S1 - EN 12002)
  		fine porcelain stoneware tiles	Size ≥ 30x30	(*) Improved cementitious adhesives resistant to slip with long open time (Class C2TE - EN 12004) and highly deformable (Class S2 - EN 12002)

  * For large size tiles laid at a height of more than three metres, certain international regulations specify that tiles should be laid using a mixed system of adhesive and mechanical fixtures chosen in relation to the weight of the tile, height of the tiling and site conditions.
  
  When laying at low temperatures or if rapid use of the tiled surface must be guaranteed, you are recommended to use rapid setting improved cementitious adhesives (Class C2F – EN 12004).

  Spreading the adhesives and laying the tiles: tips
  
  Spread the adhesive on the bed using a suitably toothed spatula.
  Press down well on the tiles to ensure wetting of at least 70% of the total surface.
  
  When laying tiles in commercial interiors or outdoors, it is vital to apply the adhesive using the double spreading technique to avoid empty spaces in the ceramic tile-bed interface.

• 3) Recommended grouts for laying floor and wall tiles.

  It is important to use a grout appropriate for the use to which the ceramic surface will be put.
  You should follow the instructions provided by leading grout manufacturers.
  
  Use and recommended grouts according to european standards EN 13888:

  • residential interiors: improved cementitious mortars for joints (Class CG2 - EN 13888)
  • damp interiors (bathrooms, showers, swimming pools, etc.) and outdoors: improved cementitious mortars for joints with low water absorption (Class CG2 W - EN 13888) obtained with the addition of a suitable liquid additive;
  • commercial premises: improved cementitious mortars for joints with high resistance to abrasion (Class CG2 Ar - EN 13888) obtained with the addition of a suitable liquid additive;
  • premises requiring total hygiene and resistance to chemical agents (kitchen work surfaces, food industry, hospitals, supermarkets, etc.): epoxy mortars (Class RG - EN 13888).

  Eliminating excess grout
  
  To correctly and easily eliminate excess grout, follow the instructions given by the grout manufacturer. In general, proceed as follows:

  • cementitious grouts: when the grout becomes opaque (normally after 10-20 minutes), clean with a hard cellulose sponge using movements on a diagonal to the joints. It is important to respect the drying time to avoid removing the grout from the joints.
  • epoxy grouts: when the mixture is still fresh, wet the surface with plenty of water, emulsifying with a Scotch-Brite® pad, paying attention not to empty the joints. The residual grout liquid can be removed with a hard cellulose sponge (to be replaced when excessively soaked with resin).
    It is vital to remove epoxy grout rapidly before it starts hardening as it is extremely difficult to remove subsequently. If the epoxy grout has started to harden, try adding 10% alcohol to the washing water.

  
• 4) Fine site cleaning

  After a few days, eliminate residues with a commercial Scotch-Brite® pad, brush or single brush floor cleaner (for large surfaces).
  For walls, use a neutral detergent in hot water. For floors, use a mild acid wash diluted according to the type of surface (smooth or textured). It is important to protect marble or metal inserts previously with adhesive tape. Rinse with abundant clean water to eliminate all marks or residues from the joints. If necessary, repeat the acid wash at a higher concentration, unless there are marble or metal inserts. Do not use diluted commercially-available acids.

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