SUPERCAP® Project – One Sydney Harbour Building

A project which AllPrep Flooring Specialists Pty Ltd brought the ultimate LATICRETE® SUPERCAP® Pump Truck system to Australia for, is finally underway on the One Sydney Harbour Building project for Lendlease.

The initial pour involved pumping from the ground floor to Level 3 and it took all but 12 minutes to complete the unit.

The audience viewed most facets of the operation of the LATICRETE® SUPERCAP® AllPrep Pump Truck system from set up to clean up with a keen eye to gauge its safe operation but were probably more taken with its sheer performance and positive impacts on their project.

Project updates to be available soon, and perhaps a sneak peek at a video on this unique system.

View/download the SUPERCAP® System Overview (SCT-1000) Brochure.

Consider using the LATICRETE® SUPERCAP® Pump Truck on your next project? 

Contact AllPrep Flooring Specialists Pty Ltd:
Call: 1300 ALLPREP

Email: david@allprepflooring.com.au
Website: www.allprepflooring.com.au

LATICRETE Australia Mid-year Sales Meeting

So much was learnt and shared at the recent LATICRETE Australia mid-year Sales Meeting, held at the LATICRETE NSW Warehouse & Training Centre. The team looked back on the past six months and lots of knowledge, experience and key learnings were exchanged. The team also had the opportunity of demonstrating with potential new products...

Similar to LATICRETE Technical Seminars, the mid-year Sales Meeting included an intensive training program specifically designed for the LATICRETE Technical Sales Representatives. LATICRETE is dedicated to fine tuning the skills of our team in supporting architects, specifiers and tile & stone construction professionals.

Contact a LATICRETE Technical Sales Representative for a FREE demo, arrange FREE samples or technical support on our installation materials or a project you may be working on. Call 1800 331 012.

Selecting the Right Adhesive

We Know the Real Capabilities of Our Products

An article by Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Services Manager, provides educational insights to gauging the suitability of an adhesive for individual installations.

"It's important to recognise that the performance requirements and classifications in AS/ISO13007 describe a select range of physical characteristics of an adhesive that can't be solely relied on when it comes to the selection and use of tile adhesives for the wide variety of projects we encounter. They are a starting point for the most part. There are other characteristics you should consider, like compressive strength, shear capacity and immersed installation abilities to name a few that would prove useful in making an appropriate selection. 

I have noticed a growing trend over the years where tile adhesive selections are being determined solely by its classification and designation as outlined in AS/ISO13007.1, with the implication that its classification and designation alone is sufficient to make an appropriate choice for a given project. That it is sufficient to determine what product can be used for a project without investigating the manufacturers information regarding the products features and limitations. For instance a specifier may simply ask for a C2TES1 adhesive for a driveway installation. Assuming tile and substrate compatibility, whilst many C2TES1 adhesives may be suitable for this type of installation, some adhesives will not be and a risk exists, especially if it does not have, say, the compressive strength for such service conditions.

The specification and selection of tile adhesives can be very complex and requires more than a reliance on its AS/ISO13007 classification and general industry guides to gauge its suitability for a given project. Evaluating the installation environment, service requirements of the installation, tiles to be installed and the effects from the tiling background is an important part of the process in establishing the right adhesive properties for a project. It is important that selections are made together with the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations and documentation to ensure the best possible outcome is achieved. After all, we make the adhesives and have far more knowledge about the true capabilities of our products, especially given we tested our products above and beyond the requirements of the AS/ISO13007 standard. LATICRETE are able to share a greater understanding of what works because of our history, depth of experience and a unique knowledge of our product that can’t be translated in a series of numbers on a bag.

Involving LATICRETE in the specification process ensures you get the warranties or guarantees that the selection are fit for purpose! Ask for a written specification for your next project to get that locked in."

For more information on LATICRETE permanent trouble free installation products, training, or technical advice, contact your local LATICRETE representative on 1800 331 012 - or email sales@laticrete.com.au

Is Your Waterproof Membrane Certified For External Use?

Installer: Sam Gardener Tiling. Photo Credit: Manuele Rinaldi

Tips from Technical Services on Waterproofing Membranes

An article by Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides educational insights to waterproofing membranes and how they may or may not comply with industry standards.

"Bear with me for a bit with all these numbers. Both volumes of The National Construction Code (NCC), along with other waterproofing matters, for a while now have included External Waterproofing requirements to AS4654.1 & 2. Volume 2 of the NCC mandates in Clause 3.8.1.3 External above ground membranes - Waterproofing membranes for external above ground use must comply with AS 4654 Parts 1 and 2; and Volume 1 of the NCC mandates in Clause F1.4 External above ground membranes - Waterproofing membranes for external above ground use must comply with AS 4654 Parts 1 and 2.

So what does all this mean? 

For all above ground external installations, we all should have by now started using membranes that comply with the new requirements of AS4654.1 – Materials; and that we have adjusted our work practices to the new guidelines included in AS4654.2 – Design and installation.

We are all generally well versed in using membranes that conform to the material standard AS4858 for doing work governed by AS3740 – Waterproofing of domestic wet areas. We now need to become just as familiar with the new guidelines in the NCC regarding AS4654. We may even have to issue certificates to relevant authorities for a lot of this work, nominating the complying membrane and work practices as we do for Wet Area work.

Does the membrane you use now comply with the new materials standard? You may be surprised to find out, it does not." Don’t risk it, use LATICRETE HYDRO BAN®.

Can we interest you in FREE samples? 

Contact us to discuss your next project, arrange a demo or FREE samples by calling 1800 331 012 or contact us here.

Working With Movement Joints

An article by Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides an informative discussion on the importance of movement joints.

"The discussions on movement joints often hinges around the assertion that you should have them, and that’s a fact! And for good reason – everything moves, and that movement needs to be accommodated. 

From my student days in structures, I remember one of my engineering lecturers impressing on the fact that the structure is designed first and then further engineering is done to accommodate the proposed finishes in line with their abilities to cope with movement. From the start, movement joints are considered in the design. So right from the get go, what we have to do with tiling work, is honour the engineering consideration and make sure these requirements are complied with. So as well as installing them according to instruction, we should also make sure they function. 

Great care should be taken to ensure proprietary movement joints are installed without being restricted by the bedding or adhesive layer. This becomes particularly important as the installer is endeavouring to securely bed each flange of the joint, fully into the adhesive layer. If during the course of bedding this proprietary joint, the adhesive bridges the void space between the flanges on each side, the movement joint is defeated. Conversely we need to ensure the angles are fixed to both the tile and substrate to ensure correct operation."

For more information on movement joints see Technical Data Sheet TDS1252.

For more information on LATICRETE permanent trouble free installation products, training, or technical advice, contact your local LATICRETE representative on 1800 331 012 - or email: sales@laticrete.com.au

High Performance Renders and Screeds

An article by Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides tips on how to achieve high performance renders and screeds:

"Want exceptional, known performance and productivity with your screeds and renders? 3701 Mortar Admix gauged with 226 Thick Bed Mortar delivers! We realise that not every project needs this exceptional level of performance, but when contractors want to ensure their mortars and adhesives are of a higher standard, that’s when LATABOND™ comes in. 

Use internally or externally to increase, amongst other things, the flexibility, compressive/tensile strength and shock resistance of your mortar. Use diluted or un-diluted to determine your own level of performance and economy with adhesives, grouts, slurry bond coats, renders, screeds and those alike. Anything that has Portland cement in it can benefit from LATABOND.

The more concentrated and less diluted it is, the better the performance. You’re in control of the working and physical properties of your mix for permanent and trouble free installations. LATABOND, like most LATICRETE products, is non-hazardous, low VOC and safe to use. For more complete information see Data Sheet DS-1078."

For more information on LATICRETE permanent trouble free installation products, training, or technical advice, contact your local LATICRETE representative on 1800 331 012 - or email: sales@laticrete.com.au

Bonding to Difficult Substrates and Tile

In a technical article featured in Tile Today #94, Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides an informative discussion on bonding difficult substrates & tiles, and why epoxy adhesives are effective when greater chemical resistance or strength is required. 

"Every now and then we come across tiles or substrates that can’t be installed or installed on directly with our regular or even premium cement based adhesive. A cement or dispersion based adhesive may not be able to achieve the bond to the tile or the substrate as required. The water they contain may cause an undesirable physical change in the tile, like in the case of moisture sensitive stone.

Corrosion needs to be controlled or a high PH, for instance, may be too corrosive. It may also be that the adhesive does not have the required chemical resistance for your particular installation. So what do you use when you want to install tiles on steel, stainless steel, or epoxy backed tile to concrete surfaces? When executing installations with steel or polyester, it is desirable there is the least amount of involvement of underlayments or other improvisations where structural integrity is otherwise intact. Direct bonding is preferred." Click here to continue reading.

For more information or for technical support, call LATICRETE on 1800 331 012 or email: sales@laticrete.com.au. Chat to us and arrange a demo or a FREE sample.

Is Your Pool Summer Ready?

Jade Mountain, Anse Chastenet Resort, Castries, St. Lucia

An article by Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides tips on getting your pool ready this summer: 

"Yes it’s already that time of the year when we are starting to turn our minds to the coming warmer weather - I bet it’s going to be hot! For many of us, as one of the highest per capita pool ownership countries in the world, it's time to start thinking about getting our swimming pools ready for the summer, because there’s not that much time left. 

This can be as easy as cleaning the pool and balancing the water, or maybe it’s something a little more substantial like repairing some broken tiles or re-grouting. Whatever you have to do, we may be able to help. 

Need to know about fill & drain rates, or what to do when opening seasonal pools? Considerations with water treatment and tile installations, mineral balance, and other useful information? Then check out our Technical Data Sheet TDS1003 to answer these questions and more. But if you want to do more substantial work, for example new waterline tiles, or even a totally new tiled interior, we can really help here."

View/Download the Pool, Spa, and Fountain Tiling Systems Brochure.

For more information on LATICRETE permanent trouble free installation products, training, or technical advice, contact your local LATICRETE representative on 1800 331 012 - or email: sales@laticrete.com.au

Tile Today Issue #93 Out Now!

Latest Issue of Tile Today is Out Now!

If you haven't seen the latest issue of Tile Today #93 as yet, check out the full digital version here. 

LATICRETE gets featured in a number of places. For a comprehensive "LATICRETE" issue, check out the following pages:

• "Ceramic Tile in Pools from Start to Finish" - Technical Article written by LATICRETE Technical Service Manager, Fred Gray, on Page 26. 
• Product Feature - SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium Grout on Page 34.
• Full page SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout advert on Page 37.

An extract of technical article "Ceramic Tile in Pools from Start to Finish":

"I was once approached by a builder who wanted me to visit his site to discuss the ceramic tiling of his concrete pool shell. No problem, I said. But whilst on site, I realised he wanted to begin installing tile before the shell was two weeks old! This prompted a discussion about installing tiles in concrete pools - an outline of some of the major considerations when planning the installation follows. To continue reading the full article, click here. 

Are you getting ready to start a project?

Contact us about your next project or to arrange free samples. Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Tips From Technical Services

Image depicts a wet substrate that never allowed the membrane to cure which
resulted in a damaged, delaminated membrane.

Moisture Vapour and Damp Substrates With Membranes.

An article by Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides educational insights on moisture vapour transmission rates caused by damp substrates: 

"As we have progressively moved out of the hotter drier weather patterns to more prolonged warmer and wetter or damper conditions, we are starting to see the re-occurrence of a range of issues we have not seen for a while. In particular these resultant warmer, damper, wetter substrates and backgrounds can be problematic with the application of most waterproof membranes. 

The wetter conditions when combined with warmer temperatures accelerate moisture vapour transmission rates that get trapped under the membrane. The transmission of moisture vapour in the substrate under the membrane usually manifests as bubbles in the membrane which means isolated debonding of the membrane occurs.  

So how do we avoid these issues - protection of the works from the elements and allowing drying moisture equalisation is the best way, however construction schedules don’t allow for this, so the use of moisture shielding is considered the pragmatic way to mitigate high moisture vapour rates. LATAPOXY® Moisture Shield should be used on all work exposed to these conditions."  

Click here for the LATAPOXY Moisture Shield Data Sheet.

For more information or for Technical Support call 1800 331 012 or email sales@laticrete.com.au to arrange a demo or a FREE sample.

Trowels and the outcome of your project

In a technical article featured in Tile Today #92, Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides an informative discussion on the importance of trowel selection and the direct influence it has on the outcome of the tile project.

"For some time now, the tile industry has seen a shift in the size of tile that is used to clad a wall or floor. Historically, a tile was labelled as large format if it was larger 200mm x 200mm and improvements in manufacturing technology have made it possible to make a tile that is larger than 1m x 1m (not taking into account the thin pocelain veneer panel) that can weigh as much as 45kg.

In comparison, it would be difficult to consider a 200mm x 200mm tile as being large, but proper installation methods and materials can help to ensure that any size ceramic or stone tile, masonry veneer, or thin brick is installed in such a way as to meet the project and industry requirements for adhesive coverage, distribution and thickness.

While an increasing demand for greater surface tolerances is critical to the success of the application, having suitable adhesive coverage, distribution and depth under the tile is as critical to the finished installation, as the flatness and structural integrity of the substrate." Click here to continue reading.

For more information or for technical support, call LATICRETE on 1800 331 012 or email: sales@laticrete.com.au. Chat to us and arrange a demo or a FREE sample.

Fred Gray Article: Moisture, Concrete and Tiling Installations

Image above depicts a wet substrate that never allowed the membrane to cure which resulted in a damaged,
 delaminated membrane.

In a technical article featured in Tile Today #91, Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides an informative discussion about how to effectively manage moisture issues.

"After many years of trouble shooting membrane installations I have learned many lessons when it comes to moisture in concrete substrates and its effects on these applications, including any subsequent finishes. Information on how to identify and mitigate some of the moisture problems is based around the following information from our technical data sheets and many global and local standards. 

Materials used in tile and stone installation applications can be affected by moisture during the installation and curing phases. Some materials, such as waterproofing membranes, may not cure properly or may delaminate from a continually wet substrate, or a substrate with a high Moisture Vapour Emission Rate (MVER). 

The main image (above) depicts a wet substrate that never allowed the membrane to cure which resulted in a damaged, delaminated membrane. A substrate which is damp or has a high MVER may also contribute to the formation of efflorescence. Concrete, masonry and associated levelling beds with a high MVER may also have an impact on a tile or stone installation." Click here to continue reading. 

For more information or technical support call 1800 331 012 or email: sales@laticrete.com.au to arrange a demo or a FREE sample.

Is Your Waterproof Membrane Certified for External Use?

Tips from Technical Services on Waterproofing Membranes

An article by Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides educational insights to waterproofing membranes and how they may/may not, comply with industry standards.

"Bear with me for a bit with all these numbers. Both volumes of The National Construction Code (NCC), along with other waterproofing matters, for a while now have included External Waterproofing requirements to AS4654.1 & 2. Volume 2 of the NCC mandates in Clause 3.8.1.3 External above ground membranes - Waterproofing membranes for external above ground use must comply with AS 4654 Parts 1 and 2; and Volume 1 of the NCC mandates in Clause F1.4 External above ground membranes - Waterproofing membranes for external above ground use must comply with AS 4654 Parts 1 and 2.

So what does all this mean? 

For all above ground external installations, we all should have by now started using membranes that comply with the new requirements of AS4654.1 – Materials; and that we have adjusted our work practices to the new guidelines included in AS4654.2 – Design and installation.

We are all generally well versed in using membranes that conform to the material standard AS4858 for doing work governed by AS3740 – Waterproofing of domestic wet areas. We now need to become just as familiar with the new guidelines in the NCC regarding AS4654. We may even have to issue certificates to relevant authorities for a lot of this work, nominating the complying membrane and work practices as we do for Wet Area work.

Does the membrane you use now comply with the new materials standard? You may be surprised to find out, it does not." Don’t risk it, use LATICRETE HYDRO BAN®.

Can we interest you in FREE samples? 

Contact us to discuss your next project, arrange a demo or FREE samples by calling 1800 331 012 or contact us here.

Tips from Technical Services

Spot Bonding with the Right Adhesive

In a Technical Article featured in Tile Today #81, Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides an informative discussion about spot bonding with the right adhesives. 

"As tile format get larger, the need for straighter, flatter and truer substrates increases to ensure the installation meets the required finished tolerances. Tilers are often faced with substrates that were never built to deliver this required flatness for tiling but are still expected to deliver a great looking job despite this.

For some, the answer with large format wall tiling is to spot bond the tiles to the surface to help plumb and true the installation. This is a technique where thick daubs of cement based adhesives, which are not designed to be used in this way, are applied to the back of the tile, generally four or five places, to help plumb the tile accurately. However this method of fixing with cement based adhesives is not recognised and in fact has led to many tile installation issues, particularly external ones. 

LATAPOXY 310 Spot Bonding Adhesive however is designed to be used in this way. Now you can spot bond tiles in many situation that were not possible before and is also suitable for substrates that require up to 20mm correction! Originally designed to replace mechanical fixing, it can also be used to overcome those nuisance out of plane substrates." Click here to continue reading the published article.

Are you getting ready to start a project? 

Contact our Technical Support team on 1800 331 012 to discuss your next project contact us here.

Next Generation Waterproofing

HYDRO BAN® - Your Internal and External Under Tile Membrane.

Have you seen the latest informative Technical article written by LATICRETE Technical Service Manager, Fred Gray?

"LATICRETE has a long history with under tile waterproof membranes, after all LATICRETE produced the world’s first thin liquid applied under tile membrane in 1963, that is still available today along with LATICRETE HYDRO BAN Liquid Applied Membrane, the Next Generation. This new generation membrane comes with the same system compatibility and performance but without the use of fabric. 

HYDRO BAN is Class 3 membrane, suitable for both “Internal Wet Area Work” and “Above Ground External Work” in accordance with National Construction Code, AS4858, AS3740 and AS4654. Great for swimming pools, fountains, bathrooms, facades, balconies, industrial application and the like that are to be directly tiled. Spray it, brush it, roll it, trowel it over a wide variety of substrates – it’s fast to apply and quick to dry. Productivity Plus! 

Team it up with HYDRO BAN Adhesive & Sealant to increase productivity for bond relief and fillets required by our standards. The same HYDRO BAN is now available in a 15 litre pail that you can still roll straight out of." Click here for more information on the Technical Data Sheet.

Contact our Technical Support team for more info or to discuss your next project call 1800 331 012 or contact us here.

Under Tile Sound Control Adhesives

125 Sound & Crack Adhesive

Under Tile Sound Control Adhesives – A More Productive Approach

Have you seen the latest article written by LATICRETE Technical Service Manager Fred Gray? 

"The National Construction Code, amongst other things, specifies the amount of impact sound transmission allowed in various classes of residential buildings. This can influence structure design, the type of finishes that are selected and the nature of how finishes are installed. Ceramic and stone tile are very desirable and sustainable finishes however, one of the negatives is its adverse ability to transmit impact sound into their backgrounds more easily when compared to say carpet, vinyl and other soft floor finishes. So it’s important to know there are acceptable solutions, ensuring tile is a viable option for most of our common substrates" Continue reading the full article here.

Check out 125 Sound & Crack Adhesive -  A single component adhesive which takes the place of costly time consuming membrane or mat systems by allowing for faster, more effective tile or stone installations. 

To discuss how this product can help with your next project or to arrange a demo call us on 1800 331 012 or contact us here.

Free Pool Tiling Seminar in NSW

LATICRETE Pool, Spa and Fountain Tiling System Brochure

Profit Through Knowledge Seminar on Pool Tiling

Join LATICRETE and Ezzari Australia for a free pool tiling seminar at the LATICRETE NSW Office. 

The Seminar will provide you best practices for pool tiling:

- Substrate Preparation
- Waterproofing
- Adhesive and Grout Selection
- Movement Joints
- Systems and Warranties

There will also be an opportunity for hands-on training on HYDRO BAN® waterproofing membrane and SPECTRALOCK® PRO Grout.

This will be a great chance for you to ask questions about our products and chat with your local LATICRETE Technical Sales Reps, Joe Tabone and Craig Hunter, and the LATICRETE Technical Service Manager, Fred Gray. 

Seminar Details 

Date: Thursday 11th & 18th June

Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Address: Unit 3/20 Waler Cres, Smeaton Grange.

Contact number: 1800 331 012

Contact Person: Joe Tabone / Craig Hunter / Cade Atkinson

Unable to attend this Seminar? Contact us on 1800 331 012 or email us to arrange a seminar customised for you and your team or click here to view a list of available dates.

Great Article - Coloured Grout and Consistency

Managing the Perception and Consistency

Published article written by LATICRETE Technical Service Manager, Fred Gray in #86 of Tile Today. 

Long gone are the days when the tiler only offered White, Off-white or Grey as the only colour options for grout. He would have a proprietary white wall grout and / or site mix local sand with the three colours of cement for floor grouting. If he was a stone fixer he might have added some pigment to keep some of the more demanding customers happy. Tiles were not as much a fashion item as they are today and choice of style and colour was very limited. Read more…

And we Growing Some More...

Cade Atkinson, joins the LATICRETE team

We are pleased to announce we have a new team member - Cade Atkinson!

Cade joins our Technical Support team as our newest LATICRETE team member. 

LATICRETE Technical Services focuses on providing pre-installation and post installation technical services for the permanent, problem-free installation tile and stone. Our technical services for the construction industry include answers to installation questions, customised Architectural Specifications and 2D & 3D Details.

Cade is competent to answer your tile and stone installation materials and methods questions. Contact Cade here or phone 1800 331 012.

As well as a great capacity to learn about LATICRETE, Cade comes with great IT and computer experience. Cade enjoys cooking, electric guitar, video games, Manga, Anime, music literature movies, entertaining and socialising.

Welcome to the the LataFamily Cade! We wish you everything of the best in your new position.

An Interesting Mosaic Article!

Advert as featured in the August 2014 Issue of MAANZ

In MAANZ - Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand 

Our very own Fred Gray, LATICRETE Technical Service Manager had provided MAANZ with an article which was published in the August 2014 issue of MAANZ.  

In this article Fred shares some essential information on: "Substrates, Grouts and Adhesives." 

"Over the last twenty years or so I have had many discussions with glass mosaic artists and hobbyists about their projects and installation methods only to find that poor choices have been made when it came to the selection of the backing or substrate for their projects. These choices have ultimately lead to the works not being suitable for the very area they were first commissioned for. Choices were made without understanding the ramifications of the likely use and exposure. For instance using plywood for table tops that are going to be used externally. Even exterior grade plywood, which may be ok for internal use is not suitable for external use with glass tiling over even when waterproofed. Look out for the new type of foam boards like Wediboard or Marmox which are favourable types of substrate for external works around water features and the like. Read more.

Contact us for technical assistance, discuss your next project, request free samples by calling 1800 331 012 or contact us here.