LATICRETE Australia National Sales Meeting

 

In March, the team at LATICRETE Australia got together for a national sales meeting at the LATICRETE Head Office in QLD.

The team looked back on the past twelve months and strategies were shared for 2021. Lots of knowledge, experience, and key learnings were exchanged. The team also had the opportunity to enjoy a great BBQ and some fun outdoor games. 

Contact a LATICRETE Technical Sales Representative for a demo or technical support on our installation materials or a project you may be working on. Call 1800 331 012 or email us here. 

The Importance of Sealed Stone

Determining if a stone is sealed is an important question that must be answered prior to considering the application of a new sealer treatment. Realizing if an unsealed stone surface will be able to accept a sealer is also important in determining how to move forward. 

There is a very simple and inexpensive test to determine if the stone, Saltillo tile or cement-based grout is currently sealed, or if it even requires a sealer.

Water Test: 
A quick and easy test is performed with water and can provide valuable information about the current state of the stone or grout surface. 

1. Apply water in a few different areas of the stone and/or grout 
2. Make each application of water approximately 25mm wide 
3. Roughly measure the size of the circle of water without making contact with the water. Make a notation as to the size of each application of water 
4. Place a drinking glass over each application of water to protect from evaporation 
5. Let sit undisturbed for 20 min 
6. After 20 minutes remove the glass(es) and observe the results: 

No change - If the water appears the same as when it was applied and the water measures the same diameter, then a sealer is already present or the stone is very dense and does not need a sealer. 

Slight change - If the water is still present in a bead but appears to be absorbing into the surface then a sealer may already be present but requires resealing, or, the stone is not sealed and is dense enough to allow for the slow absorption of water 

Complete change - If the water is completely absorbed into the surface and the spot appears to have grown in size then the stone is not sealed and the use of a high-quality sealer (e.g. STONETECH® BulletProof® Sealer, STONETECH Heavy Duty Sealer, STONETECH Impregnator Pro® Sealer, etc) is strongly recommended. Continue reading Technical Data Sheet TDS-1261.

View/download:

STONETECH Surface Care Product Selection Guide

STONETECH Stone & Tile Care Guide

If you have any questions regarding the use, installation or maintenance of STONETECH or sealed stone, please contact LATICRETE Technical Services on 1800 331 012.

Epoxy Training at Tile Tech Trade Centre

 

Craig Hunter, LATICRETE NSW Technical Sales Rep, was at Tile Tech Trade Centre providing hands-on training with SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium Grout*.

SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout* is designed for use on ceramic tile, glass tile, and stone applications, both residential and commercial. It can be used both interior and exterior on floors and walls. Ideal for re-grouting applications, SPECTALOCK PRO Grout is perfect for swimming pools, fountains, and other wet area applications. 

Add that little extra touch, with the DAZZLE™ component. With SPECTRALOCK® Grout DAZZLE™ there are over 200 combinations of 'StainProof' grout available for your installation - not to mention the glow-in-the-dark component! 

Click here to view/download the LATICRETE Grout and Sealant Colour Charts.

For more information on LATICRETE installation materials, product demos, or technical support, phone LATICRETE on 1800 331 012 or email: sales@laticrete.com.au.

 

*United States Invention Patent No.: 6881768 (and other Patents)

Amber Chatswood Trade Night

 

Recently LATICRETE attended a trade night at Amber Tiles in Chatswood, NSW. It was a great event and almost 30 tradies came through. Those who attended had the opportunity to chat with Craig Hunter, LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep, to gain a better understanding of LATICRETE products and installation systems. HYDRO BAN® SLURRY and MVIS™ Masonry Veneer Mortar were a hit!

Products of focus on the evening were:

• PRIME-N-BOND™ is a versatile, ready-to-use, single coat, low VOC primer designed to enhance the adhesion of adhesives to many smooth and non-absorptive substrates that can be difficult to bond to.
• HYDRO BAN® SLURRY is a cement-based one component, polymer fortified, waterproofing material that mixes with water and easily apples with brush, roller, or trowel. This product can be used on retaining walls, water features, slabs on ground, and immersed installations. HYDRO BAN SLURRY is suitable for areas requiring negative hydrostatic pressure resistance up to 2.5 BARS and positive hydrostatic pressure up to 5 BARS.
• PERMACOLOR® Select is an advanced high performance cement grout that offers the industry's first dispersible dry pigment solution. 
• MVIS™ Veneer Mortar is a patented, versatile polymer fortified mortar designed specifically for the installation of adhered masonry veneer, stone and thin brick. A high performance mix provides maximum non-sag performance for vertical installations and also obtains maximum bond strength to the substrate and selected veneers.

Contact us to arrange a trade event, a demo, or for technical support, call 1800 331 012 or email sales@laticrete.com.au.

"Extra Heavy Duty" Streetscape Installations Brochure

 

Do you require an installation system for streetscapes? LATICRETE, "Extra Heavy Duty" Streetscape Installations brochure provides information about products that are recommended for the installation of ceramic tile, concrete pavers and natural stone where an “Extra Heavy Duty” installation that is required normally associated with transit ways, roads, footpaths and streetscapes. These systems are particularly suited to roads and areas required to handle heavy vehicular traffic. View/download the LATICRETE "Extra Heavy Duty" Streetscape Installation System brochure. Tile and stone installation systems that are available from LATICRETE are from proven LATICRETE tile installation projects which have been successfully installed around the world for over 60 years. LATICRETE provides single source responsibility for these demanding, high performance applications. LATICRETE systems offer the latest technology in construction materials, methods and delivers superior performance. Projects utilising LATICRETE materials and methods qualify for a comprehensive LATICRETE Warranty. For architectural details, in-depth technical support and comprehensive product application videos, click here.

Contact your local LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep about your next project by calling 1800 331 012 or contact us here.

Residential Villa Renovation

 

The team from The Orchid Group recently completed this home renovation project in Brisbane, QLD. The project features 600x600mm Porcelain tiles on the walls and floors, in the kitchen and bathroom area. 

LATICRETE installation materials used:

• LATAPOXY® Moisture Shield is a 2 component, roller applied epoxy coating specifically designed to reduce moisture vapour emissions in the concrete and other substrates. 
• HYDRO BAN® is a thin, load bearing waterproofing/crack isolation membrane that DOES NOT require the use of fabric in the field, coves or corners. HYDRO BAN is a single component, self curing liquid rubber polymer that forms a flexible, seamless waterproofing membrane. HYDRO BAN bonds directly to a wide variety of substrates.
• 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed is a polymer fortified blend of carefully selected polymers, portland cement, and graded aggregates.
• 335 is a premium, flexible, high-performance thin-bed adhesive for installing a wide range of tiles and stone including low absorption ceramic tile, porcelain tile, natural and manufactured stone using thin-set method of installation.
• LATASIL™ is a high performance, one component, neutral cure, 100% silicone sealant designed for ceramic tile & stone applications.
• PERMACOLOR® Grout* is a high-performance grout that provides a grout joint that is dense, hard and will resist cracking.

For more information on LATICRETE installation materials, product demos, or technical support, phone LATICRETE - 1800 331 012 or email: sales@laticrete.com.au. 

Moroccan Sandstone Installation

 

At the end of February, LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep, Chris Stenhouse, was on-site with Chris from Precision Tech Building in Melbourne, VIC. Chris used 254 Platinum on this Moroccan Sandstone installation. 

254 adhesive is the ultimate one-step, polymer fortified, thin-set mortar for interior and exterior installation of ceramic tile, stone, quarry tile, pavers, and brick. 254 adhesive, designed to just mix with water, has a long open time with unsurpassed adhesion and workability. May be mixed with PERMACOLOR® Select pigment packs for a coloured adhesive. Click here for more product information and to view/download the Product Data Sheet. 

For more information on LATICRETE installation materials, product demos, or technical support, phone LATICRETE - 1800 331 012 or email: sales@laticrete.com.au. 

PERMACOLOR® Select Care and Maintenance

 

The quality of cement based grouts continues to improve throughout the ceramic and stone tile, and adhered masonry veneer industries. New technologies mean that grouts get harder, minimise efflorescence and are easier to install than previous technologies, as referenced in TDS-1021.

PERMACOLOR® Select provides the latest advancement to cement-based grouts – one universal grout powder with pigment added to the mix water prior to blending.

However, it is important to note that no cement-based grout is self-cleaning or absolutely stain-resistant. Regular and routine maintenance is required to maintain the long-term beauty of the grout, and, wiping up spills quickly and thoroughly will help minimise the possibility of staining the grout. The following information will help to maintain the grout for many years.

Regular Maintenance
PERMACOLOR Select offers enhanced protection from stains:

• For routine, everyday maintenance cleaning a clear, pH neutral cleaner (e.g. STONETECH® Stone & Tile Cleaner) is recommended.
• For soiling from grease, use an alkaline cleaner (e.g. STONETECH KLENZALL™ Cleaner).
• For mould or soap scum use a cleaner specifically designed to remove these organisms and deposits (e.g. STONETECH Mold & Mildew Stain Remover and STONETECH Soap Scum Remover).
• For hard water deposits and other inorganic stains use STONETECH RESTORE™ to remove these residues and stains.
• Some floor cleaning procedures, such as damp mopping, will deposit dirt residue in the grout joint.

• If the grout appears soiled, mop a solution of STONETECH Stone & Tile Cleaner onto the surface and scrub gently with a nylon brush or scrub pad.
• It is recommended that the mop water be removed by vacuum from the grout and tile surfaces before it dries. Rinse well, vacuum and allow the surface to dry.

For more information on installing ceramic tiles in pools see Technical Data Sheet TDS-1021.

Contact LATICRETE to discuss your next project, or for more information call 1800 3310 12 or email: sales@laticrete.com.au.

STONETECH® Heavy Duty Exterior Sealer

STONETECH® Heavy Duty Exterior Sealer in action! Tom from Bobtail Landscaping has been using STONETECH® Heavy Duty Exterior Sealer on this Travertine terrace on a residential property in WA. 

LATICRETE STONETECH® Heavy Duty Exterior Sealer is a solvent based, natural look sealer which offers heavy duty protection, water repellency and weather resistance to natural stone and masonry surfaces. 

Features & Benefits

• Heavy duty protection against water-based stains
• Minimizes efflorescence
• Solvent-based formula
• Exterior use

STONETECH Heavy Duty Exterior Sealer is suitable for substrates such as granite, slate, travertine, sandstone, tumbled stone and concrete. 

View/download:

STONETECH Surface Care Product Selection Guide

STONETECH Stone & Tile Care Guide

If you have any questions regarding the use, installation or maintenance of STONETECH or sealed stone then please contact LATICRETE Technical Services on 1800 331 012.

NSW Pool Systems PTK

Earlier this month, LATICRETE NSW Technical Sales Reps, Craig Hunter and Glenn Mannix, held a free Pool Tiling Installation Systems, Profit Through Knowledge (PTK) Seminar at the LATICRETE Training Centre in NSW. 

Attendees consisted of specifiers, designers, tilers and pool builders were actively involved in discussions, classroom learning, and hands-on demonstrations using LATICRETE:  Mortars/Renders (3701/226 and 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed); adhesive (254 with PERMACOLOR® Select Color Kits) and grouts (SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium with DAZZLE™) as they went through the LATICRETE system warranty materials. 

Attendees experienced first-hand, working with below LATICRETE installation materials:

• 226 Thick Bed Mortar is a factory prepared blend of carefully selected raw materials, Portland cement and graded aggregates. 226 Thick Bed Mortar was designed for use with 3701 Mortar Admix to produce a latex Portland cement mortar that has exceptional strength. 
• 3701 Mortar Admix is used in place of water, 3701 Mortar Admix improves the working and physical properties of any cement mix and provides an economical and easy way to make permanent, trouble
• PERMACOLOR® Select is an advanced high performance cement grout that offers the industry's first dispersible dry pigment solution.
• 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed is a polymer fortified blend of carefully selected polymers, portland cement, and graded aggregates
• 254 adhesive is the ultimate one-step, polymer fortified, thin-set mortar for interior and exterior installation of ceramic tile, stone, quarry tile, pavers, and brick.
• SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout is a patented, high performance epoxy grout which offers excellent colour uniformity, durability, stain protection, and beautiful, full grout joints in an easy to-use, non-sag formula.
• SPECTRALOCK Grout DAZZLE adds metallic and "Glow-In-The-Dark" enhancements to SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout.

These events are the most effective way of learning about LATICRETE products that can improve your knowledge about our industry or prepare you for your upcoming projects. Interaction on this level is second to none.

Contact us to arrange training for your team, a demo, or for technical support, call 1800 331 012 or email sales@laticrete.com.au.

*United States Invention Patent No.: 6881768 (and other Patents)

254 Adhesive on Display!

254 adhesive is the ultimate one-step, polymer fortified, thin-set mortar for interior and exterior installation of ceramic tile, stone, quarry tile, pavers and brick.

254 adhesive, designed to just mix with water, has a long open time with unsurpassed adhesion and workability. May be mixed with PERMACOLOR® Select pigment packs for a coloured adhesive.

Features & Benefits

• Interior and exterior use
• High performance flexible cement based adhesive
• High tack, non-sag
• Extended open time
• Easy to use – plastic and workable

For more product information click here. 

For more information contact your local LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep on 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Cobblestone Driveway Upgrade

Chris Stenhouse, LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep, was recently on-site with Anthony and the team from Foliage Landscaping at a residential property in Melbourne, VIC. The team is upgrading this driveway featuring cobblestones, installed using LATICRETE 315 Super Floor & Wall Adhesive and 3701 Mortar Admix. LATICRETE installation materials have been supplied by Stone and Tile Centre. 

• 315 Super Floor & Wall Adhesive is a high performance thin-set adhesive to install tile and stone using the thin-bed method of installation. Mix with water or fortify with LATICRETE latex admixture. 
• 3701 Mortar Admix is a specially designed latex admixture for use with thin-set adhesives, cement grouts, cement mortar beds and other cement mixes. Used in place of water, 3701 Mortar Admix improves the working and physical properties of any cement mix and provides economical and easy way to make permanent, trouble-free installations of ceramic tile, brick and natural.

Have a similar project coming up - view/download the LATICRETE "Extra Heavy Duty" Streetscape Installation System brochure.

Contact us to discuss your next project - Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.