Before Laying
Make sure the base is suitable for the use of the flooring, especially when it is to withstand heavy loads. Expansion joints should be provided for, which are necessary for large surfaces, respecting the structural joints of the building.
Step 1
Site Installation
The tiles can be laid either with glue or with mortar, leaving minimum joints of 2-3 mm and using spacing crosses. If the glue laying system is used (suitable for areas subject to high foot traffic or the passage of heavy loads), the surface must be perfectly flat so that the tiles can be fixed securely to the base.
For the choice of the adhesive, and for applying the adhesive, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.Take the tiles from different boxes in order to mix them.
Step 2
Cutting & Making Holes
For particular types of workmanship, use suitable, professional tools, always checking their cutting capacity in advance and replacing worn parts when necessary. For precision cutting, use a traditional damp cutter or tile cutting tool. To make holes, use a water grinder for porcelain stoneware.
To avoid exposing the tiler to potentially damaging dust, the ceramic material should not be cut dry.
Step 3
Grouting The Joints
When laying tiles with traditional adhesives, grout the floor after 24/48 hours, or after 4 hours if rapid drying adhesives are used.
If coloured sealants are to be used, use only ready-prepared products, following the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. Cement grouts in tone-on-tone shades are to be used, and it is advisable to avoid light-coloured grouts on dark materials and vice-versa: in such cases, a test should be carried out on a few tiles before laying.
Step 4
Cleaning After Laying
After the laying and grouting operations, the floor must be washed carefully to remove any residue. Clean a few square metres at a time, using any anti-scaling detergent, except for products containing hydrofluoric acid, as established by the EN 14411 standard, suitably diluted in water. Rinse several times with clean water, using a suction cleaner to remove excess water.
Once the floor is perfectly clean and dry, it should be protected with PVC and PLURIBALL sheets to avoid damage during the finishing works on the construction site. Wait at least 48-72 hours before walking on the floor as normal.
Step 5
Ordinary Mantenance
Ceramic Floor Tiles is a low-maintenance material that does not require particular attention. How and how often it is cleaned will depend on the use and extension of the flooring.
For effective maintenance, it is advisable not to let dirt settle on the surface for too long, and to use detergents specifically for the use of the flooring and the main kind of dirt present.
Step 6
In normal conditions, it is sufficient to use a neutral or alkaline detergent and rinse with clean water. Care must be taken if concentrated chemical products are to be used, and the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed carefully.
For polished materials, especially with a light, even colour, if they are to be used in areas that get dirty easily, it is advisable to apply a protective treatment, to make simple maintenance even easier.
The treatment is easy to carry out, and must be applied to perfectly clean, dry flooring, using products specifically for ceramic floor following the manufacturer’s indications.