The
surface on which the tiles are to be laid should be clean and free from dirt
and dust particles to avoid contamination.
Tiles should
be completely immersed in clean water for about 45 min. before using and should
be laid as soon as the surface water has gone. Dry or partly dried tiles should
be used. Wetting is recommended on dry floors. Soaking of tiles and wetting of
floors are not required in case of laying with chemical adhesive.
For the
new floors the mortar bed should be in the ratio of 1:3 cement to sand by
volume.
Recommended
thickness of mortar bed for a new floor is 1 inch to 1 ½ inch and an old
existing mosaic or cement floors ½ inch is sufficient. The mix should be used
within two hour of the addition of water and any mortar (mixture) not then used
should be discard and not retampare.
Before laying
floor tiles on old mosaic and cement floors, these should be chipped with a
chisel or sharp tool so that the surface is sufficiently rough to grasp the
mortar.
Slope on
the surface on which tiles are fixed wherever required should be given for
water drainage at the time of preparing the mortar bed.
Tiling should
preferably be started from the centre area so that cut tiles, if any come only
on the sides.
Before fixing
tiles should be coated with a thin layer of cement slurry or tile fixing
adhesive sufficient to cover grooves to have better grip and strength and also
to avoid air pockets.
Tiles should
be gently tapped after laying to ensure total mortar contact.
Bedding material between the joints should be
cleaned with a brush before it drives. Thereafter allow 24 hours for tiles
mortar compound to set properly and avoid walking.
Leave a
grout joint of about 3-4 mm between two tiles. The gaps between tiles should be
filled with white cement or white cement mixed with colors matching the tiles.
These joints can also be filled with the chemical grout adhesives available in
market.
After filling
the joints floor surface4 be cleaned with sponge or a piece of cloth and filler
now be allowed to set for 24 hours by avoiding all traffic.
