Finishing after grouting – natural stone and terracotta Natural finish: (Typically smooth finish materials) Apply a final coat of impregnating sealer making sure to cover grout joints as well, you will then need to remove any excess unabsorbed sealer after approx. 30 mins depending on atmospheric conditions. OR Satin finish: (Typically for more rustic and porous materials, especially terracotta) Further to the above and only if the stone is not used is a wet area, you can apply a surface coating such as our Stone Shield or Bees Wax Polish. This will offer further protection; it will help fill the natural pours and gives the product an attractive patina. Finishing after grouting – porcelain and ceramic tiles For crackle glaze apply a second coat of crackle glaze sealant. Dry buff the tiles with a clean cloth to remove any final grout residue. There is the option to further seal the grout joints if desired using our Stain Block Eco. When using this remove any excess liquid immediately. On very matt porcelain floors you can apply our Stone Shield in non-wet areas to help ease the cleaning required and enhance the appearance of the tile.
Commonly known as LASH clips, this stands for Level, Align, Space & Hold. Levelling clips are a two-part system consisting of a clip and a wedge, ensuring your tiles are absolutely level without any lipping or exposed edges that can be caused by slightly bowed tiles. They can align tiles from 9-15mm thick ensuring even grout joints and can be used for both wall and floor tiling. The holes in the base of the clip allow for the adhesive to pass through, ensuring no voids are left under the tile. Installation Use a good-quality, flexible, white, tile-adhesive, such as our Premium White Semi Rapid Set (carefully follow any instructions on the packaging) and apply with a notched trowel. Ensure 100% adhesive coverage of each tile and the subbase, never dot and dab. Remove excess adhesive with a damp cloth quickly before it hardens or stains the tile. Level the tiles using hand pressure only, where possible. Using a mallet or rubber hammer could cause cracking. Preparing before sealing and grouting – natural stone and terracotta Clean and condition the surface using a diluted solution of alkaline cleaner such as our Deep Clean (diluted 1:10 with water). This will help ensure that any dust, dirt, and grime that may have accumulated during the installation process is removed. A properly cleaned and prepared surface will improve the efficiency of the sealer. Sealing your tiles – natural stone, crackle glaze and terracotta Once your tiles are installed you will need to use an impregnating sealant for protection prior to grouting such as our Stain Block (or for crackle glaze tiles a crackle glaze sealant). Preparing before grouting – porcelain and ceramic tiles Clean the surface using fresh clean water. This will help ensure that any dust or grit that may have accumulated during the installation process is removed, preventing the risk of scratching the tiles when being grouted. Grouting We recommend using lighter coloured grouts for most products, in particular natural stone and matt/textured glazed tiles, rather than black or bright coloured as these can cause staining on light materials, this staining is particularly hard to remove. • Ensure you have selected a grout product that is suitable for use with the chosen tile material and desired joint width. • Ensure that you wipe away any excess grout with a sponge and regularly change the water before the grout dries. Avoid raking out the grout in the joints and do not allow water to puddle. • Before the grout has fully set wash again with a damp sponge to ensure as much residue is removed with a solution of alkaline cleaner such as our Deep Clean (diluted with 1:20 with water).
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INSTALLATION GUIDE
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