Tal changes its 20kg bag labels

In September last year, we announced a change in in our 5KG grout bags. This was an exciting new venture as the new bags offered easy grout-colour matching and a more durable packaging. Now we eagerly announce that this new packaging, our new labels, will extend to the 20KG grout bags.

With these new bags, we aim to simplify the selection process for the end-user and tiling contractor. With the clear step-by-step instructions which appear on the new packaging, consumers are likely to purchase the right products and follow the correct application procedure, ensuring a respectively quick and efficient tile installation. The new packaging complies with the Consumer Protection Act.

Products in the 20kg pack size featuring the new labels include the rapid-set adhesive range, such as TAL Goldstar 6; the quick-set adhesives range, such as TAL Porcelainfix as well as the standard-set adhesive range such as TAL ProfessionalTAL Wall & Floor Grout and TAL Super White Wall Grout.

Another piece of exciting news is that of TAL’s recently modernised laboratory with additional state-of-the-art equipment, allowing for
an increase in product research and testing for the South African market. The new equipment is housed in a custom-built facility located at our head office in Olifantsfontein, Pretoria.

We manufacture products locally at three plants and our laboratories develop products which are specifically compatible with South African climatic conditions. This compatibility is guaranteed by testing each product batch manufactured individually and conducting regular in-process quality checks on products. This is how we are certain to supply a consistent quality of products.  We ensure that our procedures are in line with our ISO 9001:2008 quality management system certification. The TAL technical laboratory features four separate testing facilities which work together in measuring products in terms of both the international standards as well as our local climate conditions. This new equipment enhances our research capabilities and the efficiency in TAL product testing.

Although our packaging may slowly be changing, customers can still expect the same reliable, top quality and locally manufactured products that they’ve come to trust from TAL. 

 

The new range of tile cutters includes manual cutters for the DIY tiler, up to larger models for professional contractors. The Home Tiler’s Manual Tile Cutter is available in 500 mm and 600 mm versions. It features a simple score and snap-cutting action, with a dual chrome-plated, heavy-duty steel rail to ensure smooth scoring.

Larger models are available in a range of sizes to accommodate different size tiles. These are of a heavy-duty design and construction specifically for daily use on-site. Replacement tungsten carbide wheel kits are also available for both the Home Tiler’s and Contractor’s manual tile cutter ranges.

The Professional Contractor’s Heavy Duty Manual Tile Cutter is designed for effortless and accurate cutting of larger-format tiles. Features include a cutting head carriage with ball bearings for high-precision cutting, a balancing arm to support larger tiles during use, and a large graduated swivelling cutting guide. This version is available in 750 mm and 900 mm versions.

The Professional Contractor’s Tile Cutters from TAL are of a heavy-duty design and construction, specifically for daily use on-site.

Due to the temperature fluctuations associated with floor heating systems, add a latex additive like TAL Screedbinder (as a water replacement) to the TAL Superscreed. This is to accommodate the expansion and contraction caused by the heat generated by the elements.

Paying attention to these 4 key points when installing your new carpets will ensure that your investment is long-lasting and adds value to your home.

If you have any questions or are in doubt about how to prepare your floors before installing your chosen final floor covering, call our Technical Advice Centre or send us an email.

When  using  large  format  tiles (a  tile  with  the  length of at least  one  edge equal to/greater  than  600mm, or a facial area greater than  3500cm²) there will be a smaller number of grout joints, compared with the same area of normal format tiling. As a result, less stress (movement) can be accommodated at tile joints.

Considering a wood-look tile installation? Give us a call or send usan email and we’ll give the right advice, no matter how big or small your tile installation: 0860000 TAL (825) or [email protected]. If this TAL Talk blog post interested you, you may want to take a look at this TAL Talk blog post: The 101 on wood-look tiles.

Complete the waterproofing system by replacing the water in the grout mix with TAL Bond, a latex additive, as this further increases the water resistance and flexibility of the installation.

Get the job right the first time and avoid future headaches from water seeping through and damaging the walls and floors of your home. The additional cost and effort of properly waterproofing your shower is an investment in your property and will ensure a beautiful and functional bathroom for years to come.

For more information on multi-level waterproofing systems, contact a TAL Expert on 0860 000 TAL (825), email us or watch our how-to video on YouTube for step-by-step advice on how to waterproof a shower.

 

STEP 8

Roll the area using a TAL Spiked Roller to facilitate the release of any trapped air to produce a smooth surface, and to allow it to dry.

Allow the screed installation to dry for 24 hours before subjecting to foot traffic (or other trades) or installing floor coverings.

TAL MOSAICFIX is available in 20 kg and 5 kg bags from leading retail outlets. 

Designed to be 100% compatible, using the TAL range of products ensures fully guaranteed multi-level tiling systems from a single source. TAL products are manufactured in South Africa to suit local climatic conditions.

If you are in any doubt, contact the TAL Technical Advisory Service on 0860 000 TAL (825), email [email protected]. Alternatively, employ the services of an experienced and skilled mosaic tiling contractor.

When replacing tiles, it is not always possible to apply the TALFIX directly to the floor, in which case apply the adhesive in a solid bed onto the back of the tile, ensuring complete coverage. Gently trace the notched side of a floor trowel through the adhesive to create ‘ridges’.

Adhesive system

When tiling onto existing tiles, it is important to only use a quick- or rapid-setting adhesive, as the existing tiles will present a dense, impervious surface, and standard-setting adhesives will take longer to dry. Too early trafficking of newly-installed tiles before the adhesive has set sufficiently can result in hollow-sounding or loose tiles.

Use TAL Tile-To-Tile quick-setting adhesive for tiling onto interior surface beds. When tiling onto suspended slabs and for external installations mix the TAL Tile-To-Tile with TAL Bond, replacing the water in the mix. Alternatively, TAL Bond Powder can be added to the adhesive mixing water.

Ensure that there is a solid bed of adhesive at least 6 mm thick beneath each tile.

Back buttering with a thin coat of adhesive may also be required when using large-format tiles to ensure full contact with the adhesive bed.

Grouting

Grouting should not be carried out until the adhesive has set sufficiently to prevent the tile installation from being disturbed during the grouting operation (always refer to the adhesive packaging for setting times). When using TAL TAL Tile-To-Tile, allow a minimum of six hours before grouting.

For interior surface beds, use TAL Wall & Floor Grout for filling tile joints up to 8 mm wide. TAL Quarry Grout can be used in wider joints up to 25 mm wide. On suspended slabs and for external installations, replace the water in the grout mix with TAL Bond, or add TAL Bond Powder to the grout mixing water.

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 tile sample should be tested beforehand to ensure that no grout is absorbed through the glaze or into the tile body, thereby staining the tiles permanently.

Movement joints

The lack of movement joints in tile installations is a major cause of tile failure. When tiling over existing tiles, the existing structural and movement joints must be maintained in the new tile installation. The movement joints should be at least 5 mm wide and extend through the adhesive and both tile layers.