PLACEMENT
Porcelain stoneware tiles should be placed using the thin-set technique, using cementitious adhesives or reactive resin adhesives.
The use of the thick-set technique with traditional mortars is not recommended, as the very low water absorption capacity of porcelain stoneware does not guarantee proper adhesion.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Cementitious adhesives of type C2 are generally used, especially for exterior applications and on unconventional supports. The thickness of the adhesive layer should be between 5 and 10 mm at most.
It is necessary to apply the adhesive with a notched trowel to ensure the evenness of the layer.
Supports should have flatness of type I (deviation < 3 mm measured with a 2 mm ruler).
The adhesive must be protected from rapid drying.
It is not recommended to wet the tile with water.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The application should be carried out when the ambient temperature, the temperature of the support, and the temperature of the materials are between +5°C and +30°C.
The wind speed should not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid rain during exterior installation.
PREPARATION OF ADHESIVES
Cementitious adhesives: Prepare according to the manufacturer's instructions, using appropriate tools and clean water. Mix at low speeds until you obtain a homogeneous, creamy, and lump-free paste. It should be used within its shelf life and should not be mixed again with additional water. The amount of prepared paste should be adjusted according to the installation speed and environmental conditions.
Dispersion adhesives: They are usually commercialized in the form of ready-to-use paste.
Reactive resin adhesives: Prepare following the manufacturer's instructions. It is crucial to use the components in their proper proportions and mix thoroughly to obtain a homogeneous mixture. It is recommended to use a mixer with a helical mixer. It is important to prepare and apply these materials within the temperature range proposed by the manufacturer (between 10°C and 25°C).
SINGLE BONDING
The choice of trowel depends on factors such as the type of installation, flatness of the surface, tile dimensions, and type of adhesive to be used. The adhesive is spread on the surface and combed with the specified trowel to apply the appropriate amount.
The ceramic tile is placed on the adhesive layer using a sliding motion until complete compression of the grooves is achieved, ensuring full contact and adhesion over the entire surface.
DOUBLE BONDING
This technique is used for exterior cladding, tiles larger than 35 x 35 cm, or equivalent surface area, and interior floors subject to significant static and dynamic loads.
To apply it, the adhesive is spread on the surface using a notched trowel, and on the back of the tile using a palette knife or the straight side of the trowel. The final thickness of the adhesive should not exceed the recommended maximum thickness.
TILE PLACEMENT
Before proceeding with the installation, it is necessary to remove several pieces from different boxes and verify their effect, tonality, caliber, and dimensions by placing them on a 10 m2 area. The tiles should be laid with straight and regular joints. The width of the joint depends on the tile format and the expected use and stress to which the installation will be subjected. It is not advisable to use joints smaller than 1.5 mm. Tiles should never be placed without joints.
For rectangular formats, the placement should include 15% of the length of the piece MAXIMUM. Newly installed ceramic finishes should be protected from weather conditions, frost, and premature drying.
Products must be handled with care, avoiding impacts between pieces when dragging them to prevent damage to the edges and surface scratches.
Once the material is installed, it is essential to protect it correctly to prevent possible damage until the completion of the work.
CLEANING
For a proper finish of the ceramic covering, it is necessary to carry out the final cleaning of the work. This will remove cement residue, joint sealing materials, and any other debris. To do this, slightly acidic detergent descaling agents diluted with water should be used and kept in contact with the glazes for a short period. DO NOT USE CLEANING AGENTS CONTAINING HYDROCHLORIC OR FLUORHYDROCHLORIC ACID AND THEIR DERIVATIVES.
It is advisable to wet the surface with clean water before applying any chemical treatment to prevent absorption of the agents by the grouting materials. Such products should not be used on newly installed tiles since the acid will react with the uncured adhesive and joint sealing materials.
Hand-painted decorative tiles should be cleaned only with a sponge and water.
Failure to follow these recommendations releases the manufacturer from any responsibility.
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