GENERAL SPECIFICATION FOR FIXING GLAZED CERAMIC FLOOR TILES OR PORCELAIN TILES ONTO A SUSPENDED WOODEN FLOOR (PART 2)

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• GROUTING
  • Grouting must not be carried out until sufficient bond has developed between the bedding mix and the tiles to preclude disturbance of the tiles during the grouting operation. Allow a minimum of 4 hours before grouting.
  • Use grey or coloured TAL WALL & FLOOR GROUT mixed 20kg with 6 litres of TAL BOND (replacing the water in the mix) for filling tile joints up to 8mm wide.
    Alternatively, TAL BOND POWDER may be added to the grout mixing water, at a ratio of 1 x 1kg sachet per 20kg TAL WALL & FLOOR GROUT.
  • WARNING :
    • Particular care must be taken to clean the grout off the tile face before it hardens completely. This is especially important when an additive such as TAL BOND or TAL BOND POWDER has been used.
    • A sample of the tiles to be used should be tested beforehand to ensure that no grout is absorbed through the glaze, or into the tile body, causing permanent staining of the tiles.
    • It is important to use the stipulated amount of liquid in the TAL Grout mixture. When cleaning, a damp, not wet , sponge must be used.  Over hydration (too much water) of the mix, or in cleaning, causes colour variations in the grout joints, and also affects the integrity of the grout, resulting in a friable product.


• MOVEMENT JOINTS
  • It should be noted that the lack of movement joints in a tile panel is a major cause of tile failure. They should be specified at the design stage to avoid placing them in heavy traffic areas and spoiling the visual effect of the tiles.
  • Movement joints should be located in both directions at maximum 3 metre centres for this application.
  • Movement joints should also be located around the perimeter of all floors, in all vertical corners, against obstructions fixed to the structural background and over all discontinuities in building materials, e.g. at interfaces of concrete and wooden panels, concrete and brickwork, etc. In addition, movement joints should be located around any fixtures protruding through the tiled surface such as columns or stairs.
  • The joints should be at least 5mm wide and extend through the adhesive and tile layers.  All construction / cold joints and structural joints in the background must be extended through the adhesive and tile layers to the surface in the form of  tile panel movement joints.  With regards to structural joints, the full width of the structural joints must be respected and extended through the adhesive and tile layers to the surface.
  • Where practical, the bulk of the depth of the movement joint can be filled with TAL SEALMASTER CORD.
  • Seal the joint using TAL GOLDSTAR SEALMASTER 1000 polyurethane joint sealant in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.  It is important that the joint sealant bonds only to the sides of the movement joint.
  • For the key requirements common to all tiling situations please refer to SANS 10107-2011, Code of Practice for the Design and Installation of Ceramic Tiling.
  
  NOTE : This installation must be allowed to set sufficiently before being trafficked.

Should you require any further assistance or have any queries regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact us.  Assuring you of our best attention at all times.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

SHARON MARGON

TECHNICAL ADVICE SUPERVISOR

© TAL 1972 & 1984

 

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