Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally · Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally...

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SOLID CONCRETE AND ADHESIVE A 75-100mm bed of concrete is laid, and the porcelain slabs are stuck down with a solid bed of polymer modified cement based tiling adhesive. This method can be used for both patios and driveways. This method works well when fixing over problem sub bases such as clay, however it does have disadvantages. Concrete slabs need to be left to cure and shrink before tiling. This will typically take 6-8 weeks. It is also difficult to lay a concrete slab to accurate falls which can require a lot of adhesive to make good any undulations in the surface and will take extra laying time. This type of installation will require expansion joints running through the screed and tiles at perimeters with walls, and at approx. 6 metre intervals across the tiling. PORCELQUICK ADPEDS Plastic Adped formers are positioned at the intersections of where the porcelain slabs are to be fixed and filled with a screed mix. This is allowed to set and the porcelain slabs are then fixed to the Adped adhesive pedestals using polymer modified cement based tiling adhesive. Only suitable for areas subject to foot traffic, but uses 80% less fixing material, 80% less carbon footprint and is a quicker fixing solution. Not suitable for roof terraces and balconies. HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE PLASTIC SUPPORT PEDESTALS Height adjustable plastic pedestals such as Eterno Ivica can be used to support porcelain slabs on balconies and roof terraces. A simple fixing system that allows for the slabs to be lifted and to run services underneath. The joints are left open which allows for drainage, but means it is best to use rectified tiles** as the edges are unprotected by grout. WET BED METHOD This method involves laying a wet mix of sand and cement to a thickness of 50-75mm. The porcelain slab would then be bedded into the mix and tapped down to meet the required levels. Traditionally used to fix riven concrete slabs and stone with wide joints. Engineered rectified** porcelain fixed with narrow joints requires much tighter fixing tolerances and will take longer to fix. Porcelain slabs are impervious (they will not absorb water) so it is critical the bed mix has a suitable volume of polymer admix added to the mix, or polymer bridging coat is applied to the back of the slab. If the correct mixes are not added or applied the mortar will not bond correctly and the installation may fail. Wet bed installations will rarely achieve a solid bed underneath the slab as the system will commonly leave voids. As the porcelain slabs are impervious any residual moisture in the bed will tend to collect under the tile and condense in cold weather (unlike stone and concrete will allow moisture to slowly escape from under slabs over time). Even if the installation has been correctly laid it is possible the water in the voids will freeze and the pressure of the expanding ice could be sufficient to overcome the bond strength and the installation may fail. A solution to this problem can be to lay a semi-dry screed and apply a polymer modified cement based tiling adhesive to the back of the porcelain and fix to the screed mix thus avoiding any voids. *18mm and thicker porcelain slabs. **Rectified tiles have their edges ground so that each tile is exactly the same as another within a batch. Non-rectified tiles can vary in size by a small percentage within a batch. Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally There are several methods contractors use to install thick porcelain* externally, most having evolved from traditional stone and concrete slab fixing techniques. This document summarizes the common methods and comments on their general suitability and effectiveness. Care should be taken when fixing over problem ground conditions such as clay. In these situations, the concrete system with reinforcing is recommended. All the fixing methods mentioned below have a common preparation which involves removing the top soil to the sub base, laying a geotextile and then laying a compacted and suitable aggregate such as MOT Type 1 to an appropriate depth.

Transcript of Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally · Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally...

Page 1: Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally · Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally ... Porcelain Edging Details and Cutting Porcelain tiles are extremely hard and require

SOLID CONCRETE AND ADHESIVE

A 75-100mm bed of concrete is laid, and the porcelain slabs are stuck down with a solid bed of polymer modified cement based tiling adhesive. This method can be used for both patios and driveways.

This method works well when fixing over problem sub bases such as clay, however it does have disadvantages. Concrete slabs need to be left to cure and shrink before tiling. This will typically take 6-8 weeks. It is also difficult to lay a concrete slab to accurate falls which can require a lot of adhesive to make good any undulations in the surface and will take extra laying time.

This type of installation will require expansion joints running through the screed and tiles at perimeters with walls, and at approx. 6 metre intervals across the tiling.

PORCELQUICK ADPEDS

Plastic Adped formers are positioned at the intersections of where the porcelain slabs are to be fixed and filled with a screed mix. This is allowed to set and the porcelain slabs are then fixed to the Adped adhesive pedestals using polymer modified cement based tiling adhesive.

Only suitable for areas subject to foot traffic, but uses 80% less fixing material, 80% less carbon footprint and is a quicker fixing solution. Not suitable for roof terraces and balconies.

HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE PLASTIC SUPPORT PEDESTALS

Height adjustable plastic pedestals such as Eterno Ivica can be used to support porcelain slabs on balconies and roof terraces.

A simple fixing system that allows for the slabs to be lifted and to run services underneath. The joints are left open which allows for drainage, but means it is best to use rectified tiles** as the edges are unprotected by grout.

WET BED METHOD

This method involves laying a wet mix of sand and cement to a thickness of 50-75mm. The porcelain slab would then be bedded into the mix and tapped down to meet the required levels. Traditionally used to fix riven concrete slabs and stone with wide joints. Engineered rectified** porcelain fixed with narrow joints requires much tighter fixing tolerances and will take longer to fix.

Porcelain slabs are impervious (they will not absorb water) so it is critical the bed mix has a suitable volume of polymer admix added to the mix, or polymer bridging coat is applied to the back of the slab. If the correct mixes are not added or applied the mortar will not bond correctly and the installation may fail.

Wet bed installations will rarely achieve a solid bed underneath the slab as the system will commonly leave voids. As the porcelain slabs are impervious any residual moisture in the bed will tend to collect under the tile and condense in cold weather (unlike stone and concrete will allow moisture to slowly escape from under slabs over time). Even if the installation has been correctly laid it is possible the water in the voids will freeze and the pressure of the expanding ice could be sufficient to overcome the bond strength and the installation may fail.

A solution to this problem can be to lay a semi-dry screed and apply a polymer modified cement based tiling adhesive to the back of the porcelain and fix to the screed mix thus avoiding any voids.

*18mm and thicker porcelain slabs.**Rectified tiles have their edges ground so that each tile is exactly the same as another within a batch. Non-rectified tiles can vary in size by a small percentage within a batch.

Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally There are several methods contractors use to install thick porcelain* externally, most having evolved from traditional stone and concrete slab fixing techniques. This document summarizes the common methods and comments on their general suitability and effectiveness. Care should be taken when fixing over problem ground conditions such as clay. In these situations, the concrete system with reinforcing is recommended.

All the fixing methods mentioned below have a common preparation which involves removing the top soil to the sub base, laying a geotextile and then laying a compacted and suitable aggregate such as MOT Type 1 to an appropriate depth.

Page 2: Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally · Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally ... Porcelain Edging Details and Cutting Porcelain tiles are extremely hard and require

External Tile Grouting Modern grouts now contain polymers which enhance adhesion but if left to dry on the surface of the tile they form a clear film which will attract dirt and make the tile harder to clean if not applied or cleaned correctly at installation.

If the tiles are laid on a sunny day in spring, summer or autumn the surface of the tile can reach temperatures approaching 50 degrees centigrade. When the grout is applied it can flash dry and become very difficult to remove, often leaving a combination of grout, pigments and polymers on the surface of the tile.

The latest rectified porcelain tiles look particularly good when laid with a narrow joint, typically 3-5mm. It is important that the contractor is informed what grout width is required. If fixing non-rectified (the tiles can vary slightly in dimensions) porcelain you will need to use a wider joint, with the joint size increasing for larger tiles. We suggest dry laying non-rectified tiles to establish the best grout joint width.

Preventative Solutions External grouting is exposed to all the elements, with mud, leaf debris, food debris, etc. collecting in the joints which will tend to turn any colour joint mid grey over time. We therefore suggest choosing grey coloured grouts to reduce maintenance. Before any application of grouting material ensure you have tested the ease of grout release from the surface of an unlaid tile. Mix a small amount of the chosen grout, apply to the surface of the tile and leave until the grout starts to dry, then remove and clean the tile surface. If there is a staining or residue issue, you will need to amend the approach of grouting this area.

TIP: When cleaning off grout lightly spray the surface with water which will help in the removal of excess grout.Apply sacrificial tile masks to the tiles surface, such as BAL Protective Sealer. These are washed off with the grout cleaning and help avoid the problems above. It goes a long way and is easy to apply. Always test a small section or un-laid tile to confirm the release of grout from these products.

On hot days grout and clean before the tile gets too hot and ideally use slower setting grouts.

Remedial SolutionsIf grout residues have been left on the tiles surface, test using Lithofin Cement Grout Remover. Always follow the instructions to the letter, in particular regarding times and dilutions. Always test on 1-2 tiles in an inconspicuous area first.

TIP: Always pre-wet the formed joints before applying Grout Remover, as this will buffer the grout joint against damage.With modern grouts if a grout residue has been left then there is likely to be a polymer film, which may also contain colour pigments. This will require a secondary approach and requires testing Lithofin Intensive Cleaner. Always follow the instructions to the letter, in particular regarding times and dilutions. Always test in an inconspicuous area first.

Polymer removal can be quite difficult. Our experience has shown that the tiles MUST be kept damp with the diluted cleaning solution (a garden spray is very useful) and left to soften the polymer for at least 15-20 minutes. Working small controlled sections 2-3 sqm, work the product with a stiff brush every 2-3 minutes for the entire working time. After this rinse several times and towel dry. In colder weather use hot water to make the solution.

With heavily embossed slip resistant tiles a final pressure jet wash may be required.

Save TIME and MONEY on installation by using the new Adped system

www.PorcelQuick.com

Round Edge Stainless Steel Profile

PQ316RE20

Double Pencil Stainless Steel Profile

PQ316DP20STAINLESS STEEL TRIMSPorcelQuick Stainless Steel External Tile Trim is an affordable and quick solution to profiling 18-20mm thick porcelain tiles.

Oblong Tile Laying Patterns Oblong tiles can be laid in a variety of patterns, with broken bond being the favourite. Oblong tiles can exhibit a slight bow along the length. When laid, this bow can create unsightly lipping which can normally be avoided if the pattern is changed to stack bond or 1/3 broken bond. Minor problems can also be overcome by increasing the joint width. Always dry lay oblong tiles to establish the best pattern/joint width that avoids lipping issues.

TIP: We recommend that any rectangular tiles longer than 500mm in length are bonded to a maximum of 30% of the length of the tile, as per the diagram below.

BRICKBOND

1/3BOND

STACKBOND

up to

Porcelain Edging Details and Cutting Porcelain tiles are extremely hard and require cutting with a water cooled diamond blade. For the best quality cuts use a porcelain specific continuous rim blade, although general turbo style blades will also work. The structure of porcelain tiles can vary, with some having a base that might be a slightly different colour to the face and others where the colour is consistent throughout the tile. When cutting the tiles you can sometimes find the cutting edge shows chattering, where micro chips are visible, changing the cutting blade, cutting slower, dressing the blade or using a more powerful cutter will normally work.

Where a tile edge is going to be exposed, such as a step, you will need to consider how to finish this edge. If the tile has a continuous colour from face to base then you could consider using the factory finished edge, having the edge fabricated to a bullnose or using the PorcelQuick Adpeds 316 stainless steel edging trims. However using factory finished edges for the detail does have two disadvantages;

It is a very sharp angle which would be painful if someone tripped up the step While porcelain tiles are very strong the sharp edge can be prone to damage

If the tile has colour variations from face to base then these colour variations will show if using a factory edge or fabrication. Never create a square porcelain edge that has been cut - it is very difficult to make this look acceptable.

Getting your tiles fabricated to a bull nose can look fantastic, but as these tiles need to be taken from your order to ensure continuous batching it will extend your project by up to eight weeks.

TIP: Diamond blades can lose their cutting strength after cutting 2-3 tiles. This is caused by the metal that the diamonds are embedded in melting and glazing over the diamonds. To keep the blade working it should be ‘dressed’ after every couple of cuts with a diamond blade dressing stone. Simply run the blade through the dressing stone 8 times and this will remove the metal glaze that covers the diamonds. If you do not have a dressing stone a house brick will work in emergencies.

Page 3: Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally · Fixing Thick Porcelain Paving Tiles Externally ... Porcelain Edging Details and Cutting Porcelain tiles are extremely hard and require

External Porcelain Maintenance We have selected these professional products to give you an opportunity to remove any contamination that may arise on your new porcelain area. Although porcelain is low maintenance, contamination can still attach to the surface of the tiles and these products will ease the removal of such marks. Always follow instructions and use appropriate protective clothing, eyewear and gloves as indicated.

On hot sunny days spray the solution using a garden hand spray to keep the tiles damp, do not allow to dry out.

Lithofin Intensive Cleaner This product is a light alkaline product that will ease the removal of general greases and dirt; test one tile at a dilution of 1:10 and apply generously to the tile. Work the product every 1-2 minutes with a stiff deck brush or white pad and after 10-15 minutes (depending on the degree of contamination) rinse several times and remove. If the contamination is lifted, work through in small controlled sections.

Lithofin Ceramic CleanIf you wish to remove water marking or salt traces – test on one tile in a discreet area. Pre-wet the joints (if cement based), with fresh water – test/ apply Lithofin Ceramic Clean diluted to 1:5 and work the full tile to be cleaned, keep scrubbing and activating with a stiff brush and white cleaning pad for several minutes. After this, rinse and remove. Some sections or areas will require a second application and some areas may need extra attention with a stronger dilution to remove a thicker build up of salts. Once you have the test tile completed, work through in small controlled sections (possibly only 1-2 sqm at a time).

Lithofin Ceramic Clean can also be used for the removal of rust stains from metal furniture and fertilizer pellets if they migrate and stain the paved area.

Lithofin Outdoor Cleaner

This product can be used for the removal of marks such as algae, leaf marking and coloured bird droppings. Firstly, test this product on one or two tiles in a discreet area. As your porcelain has a very low porosity, we can apply this product neat to the tiles for 5-10 minutes and scrub with a stiff brush every 1-2 minutes. If required, leave the product working for longer for more stubborn contamination. After the saturation time rinse several times to remove the water and product.

PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT rinse the contaminated water on to any form of plant, lawn or pond areas. Sponge/mop away small areas or the water can be easily wet vacuumed away if larger areas are to be completed.

Specific cleaning problemsAlways test a small area first and follow the instructions to the letter.

Removal of cement residues; Test Lithofin Ceramic Clean mixed 1:4 with water Removal of water marks/mineral salts; Test Lithofin Ceramic Clean Removal of rust (inc. garden furniture or fertiliser pellets); Test Lithofin Ceramic Clean Removal of bird droppings, berries, etc.; Test Lithofin Intensive Cleaner then Outdoor Cleaner if necessary Removal of green/black spores; Test Lithofin Outdoor Cleaner Removal of cement based grout; Test Lithofin Cement Residue Remover Removal of brush-in resin based pointing compounds; Test Lithofin Resin-Ex Removal of wax, tar, fence panel stain; test Lithofin Wax Off

Further help and informationThe Lithofin Technical line is available to all including contractors, installers and residential customers, for any stone and tile initial cleaning or ongoing maintenance issues.

If you require any of the Technical or Safety Data sheets for any of these products please visit www.lithofin.co.uk

If you would like to discuss any cleaning issues you may be having with your paved area, please call a Lithofin technician on 01962 732 126 for assistance. Lines open 8.30am-5pm Monday – Friday.

Save TIME and MONEY on installation by using the new Adped system

www.PorcelQuick.com

Round Edge Stainless Steel Profile

PQ316RE20

Double Pencil Stainless Steel Profile

PQ316DP20STAINLESS STEEL TRIMSPorcelQuick Stainless Steel External Tile Trim is an affordable and quick solution to profiling 18-20mm thick porcelain tiles.