Installation of Faience, Terracotta and Granite
You have a dream home, a new office or your place that you want to renovate to suit your taste and style. Whether you will put faience, terracotta or granite tiles on the floor or the walls is your choice, but we will help you with information about what to look out for and what are the important points that you should not miss when placing the above.
If you have already chosen the color, shape and thickness of your flooring / lining, it is time to prepare the base on which the tiles will be laid. Good preparation is not to be underestimated, as it largely determines the life, type and resistance of faience, terracotta or granite tiles. For good and proper preparation you will also need the right materials to avoid having to change the tiles again in a month or two.
The base on which the lining is to be applied must be perfectly dry in the first place, as humidity is a major enemy with several prerequisites - your glue will not adhere well, air pockets may form and mold may form. Therefore, the surface must be well dried, flattened and even. If you are not able to level the surface well, it is possible that your adhesive consumption is quite large and the different zones are affected differently by the temperature amplitudes and the different pressure and loading. In addition, while all of this may seem unnecessary, the base on which you will arrange your dream lining must be well cleaned of lime, plaster and more.
Once you have gone through this initial preparation phase, it is time for the absolutely compulsory priming. Select a primer according to the condition of the substrate. You just need the store where you will buy it to explain your surface. Once you have purchased it, it is advisable to test it. It is advisable to wait between 2 and 4 hours before continuing. Be patient and follow the instructions of any material you use, as the wrong step can lead to unnecessary costs and headaches.
Before you start rowing, it is a good idea to be prepared and familiar with grouting. It is very important, both the material and the width and color of each joint. Why? The method of jointing and the material of the joint itself will have an impact on the appearance of the pavement, resistance to various microorganisms and chemicals and the like. It is advisable, desirable, even obligatory, that the joint be hydrophobic, that is, not to absorb moisture and water, because not only will it change its color and structure, but it may fall. The hydrophobic joint does not retain water, and when you clean the floor, the kitchen or bathroom, you will rest assured that you are protected from moisture, mold and peeling. There are also anti-bacterial joints on the market that prevent the appearance of microorganisms in the wettest rooms, such as the bathroom.
Once you have the foundation ready, you have a great finish and a good grout is time to work. The beginning is extremely important. Make a plan for exactly what you want your dream project to look like, to make it all symmetrical and beautifully arranged, without much light.
Start first from the places where you are sure and plan to have whole tiles. Try to cut fewer tiles, look more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. If you need to glue tiles in the bathroom, we recommend arranging them diagonally. It really is more difficult and you may have some appreciation, but it's worth it. Another type of lining is fish bone. It is an alternation of small and large tiles, stripes, etc.
Bonding the lining itself, once you have a drafting project, there are two ways - thick and thin.
Thick layer adhesive is suitable for uneven surfaces, because when a thick layer is applied, a "bed" of adhesive is formed and thus "roughness" of the surface irregularities. Be careful, because the adhesive must be evenly applied throughout, and it is crucial that you have good technique and skills so that you do not "click" any of the tiles.
Thin film bonding is increasingly used, but the requirement here is to prepare the base perfectly, which must be perfectly flat. For thin-layer bonding, you should "thread" / crease / glue solution for good adhesion and compression. It is important to mention that if the tiles are larger the grouting of the adhesive solution should be done with a special rounded toothed trowel.
After applying the adhesive REMEMBER - do not press too hard on the tile itself. It should not rest at the very base. You can test if you push the tile too hard and it is in contact with the base, a creaking sound is heard. This reduces the strength of the cladding and may break.
If you are installing granite tiles outdoors, it must be protected from weather and frost. In this case, you can use a bonding technique in which you put glue on the base and press the tile. Be careful not to leave any voids and evenly apply the adhesive.
If you need to put lining / tiles on old tiles, here are some tips to follow:
1. Make sure the base is level, load-bearing, dust-free and oil-free.
2. Better remove any tiles that knock hollow when knocked. In their place fill with mortar, which align with the level of the remaining tiles.
3. Apply a base. Wait for it to dry completely. Do not hurry!
4. Primer with bonding primer. It creates a good contact between the base and your new lining.
5. Use deformation joints that prevent the tile from cracking and breaking.
6. After bonding, use a rubber hammer to carefully remove any air bubbles or any other voids.
7. Wait for the adhesive to dry and cure completely before grouting. Thoroughly clean the surface and then grout.
8. Remember! It is impossible to step on the surface 24 hours after placing the joints.
In general, the process of gluing faience, granite or terracotta tiles rarely has to be done, as the well-laid lining lasts for years. It is wise to choose high quality materials and good professionals when repairing, refreshing, or having a new home or office, which guarantees its long lasting operation. In order to make the right decision, you need a complete concept of how you want your bathroom, hallway, yard, kitchen, and more to look. Here you can consult with experts who will professionally make an overview, project and approximate value of the investment you are planning.
If all of the above seems too complicated and time-consuming, contact * YOUR HOME TECHNICAL * at 0897 861 568 or use our online contact form to get all the questions you care about!
Contact us in Chat, visit our office on 10 Drin Street in Varna or call us today on 0897 86 15 68 and get advice and get advice on your new project!
