Tips for Hot Weather Tiling

Summer is just around the corner, so make sure you are ready for the heat with these helpful hints and tips for tiling in hot weather!

You want to ensure the best installation of your projects over the hotter months, and there is a simple rule to follow when an installation is subjected to high temperatures: The 8ºC Rule – for every 8ºC above 21ºC, Portland cement, and epoxy-based materials take half as long to cure.

General tips for working in hot temperatures

1. For best results, always ship and store installation materials at 5ºC – 32ºC to extend the shelf life and working time. Do not store products in direct sunlight. If installation materials are too warm, they should be cooled to the specified temperature range for that specific product.
2. Dampen or wet down substrate surfaces to not only clean the area but to lower the temperature and lower the absorption rate of the substrate. Sweep off excess water just before mortar is applied. This step will extend the working time of the installation materials.
3. Stir latex additives thoroughly before mixing with thin-sets, grouts, plasters, stucco, and other Portland cement mortars.
4. Due to the rapid rate of moisture loss and Portland cement dehydration at temperatures >32ºC, cover installations with polyethylene sheeting for 1-2 days to allow curing at a more normal rate.
5. Low humidity also accelerates the curing process.
6. Tent off or provide shade when working in direct sunlight
7. Work during cooler periods of the day (e.g. early morning).

Continue reading the Hot Weather Tiling and Grouting TDS-1020 here.

For more information contact our Technical Services team by calling 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Installation of Large Format Tile & Stone

 

Twenty to twenty-five years ago choosing tile was simple. Floor tiles were typically 200x200mm and wall tiles were 100x100mm. There were a couple dozen options for colour on the floor and several options for wall tile colour. The old saying, “you can have any colour you want as long as it’s white” was not far from the truth. With the tremendous advances in technology and materials, the average tile installation is no longer average.

For many years the tile manufacturing trend was to create a wider variety of textures and colours for stone, but more recently there has been a trend to manufacture and install larger and larger tile.

Large format tile was considered to be 300x300mm and was on the cutting edge of technology. Now tile is available from 10x10mm glass mosaic to 1220x1220mm porcelain and larger.

Some advantages of having large format tile installed include:

1. Narrow grout joints – rectified, large format tile allows for thinner grout joint widths.
2. Easier maintenance – it is typically much easier to clean the face of tile than it is to clean grout.
3. Room size perception – the perception is that large tile makes the room in which it is installed appear larger.

Amongst others, five of the main considerations with large format ceramic and stone tile are:

• Floor Flatness
• Lippage
• Thin-Set Adhesive Coverage
• Movement Joint Requirement
• Curing/Protection

For more information continue reading Technical Data Sheet TDS-1193.

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

Moisture Vapour Emission, Relative Humidity and Testing of Concrete

Image depicts a wet substrate that didnt allow the membrane to cure and
resulted in a damaged,  delaminated membrane.

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). A substrate which is damp or has a high MVER may also contribute to the formation of efflorescence. Concrete with a high moisture vapour emission rate may also have an impact on a tile or stone installation.

There are generally three quantative tests that are used to determine moisture content in concrete and one qualitative test to show that moisture is present.

1. Calcium Chloride (ASTM F1869 - Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapour Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloors using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride). 

The Calcium Chloride test involves placing a Petri dish of calcium chloride (covered by a plastic dome adhered to the concrete) on the concrete and allowing the Petri dish to remain in place between 60-72 hours. The calcium chloride absorbs any moisture capour that transmits through the concrete within the plastic dome. The results of a calcium chloride test measures the amount of moisture absorbed and results are stated in pounds per 92.9 m2 in a 24-hour period. Please note that the ASTM F1860 test should only be conducted in interior conditions when the building is completely enclosed and the air conditioning or heating system is turned on, unless otherwise instructed by the test kit manufacturer. This is not a rest recommended for exterior use. 

2. Relative Humidity ( ASTM F2170 – Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs using In-situ Probes)

The Relative Humidity (RH) test involves placing probes in the concrete and taking readings with a hygrometer. A relative humidity reading of 75% or below is acceptable for most tile applications. Please note that the ASTM F1860 test should only be conducted  in interior conditions when the building is completely enclosed and the air conditioning or heating system is turned on, unless otherwise instructed by the probe manufacturer. This test is not recommended for exterior use. 

To continue reading Technical Data Sheet TDS-1166 click here. 

Contact us on 1800 331 012 to discuss your next project, arrange a demo, request FREE samples or for technical support or contact us here.

Ceramic Tile & Stone over Painted Surfaces

There is no shortcut if a strong, permanent installation is to be made! A layer of paint between the tile adhesive and substrate can eventually break down or deteriorate when the surface is sealed. Moisture in the wall, or free alkali in plaster or cement, can cause deterioration of the paint layer which produces a gummy mass causing tiles to fall off. Therefore it is important to ensure care is taken when considering installations over painted surfaces.

It is imperative that all oil based paints are removed from wall or floor surfaces before tiles are installed. To remove, paint may be scarified or sanded if hard or brittle, or a commercial paint remover can be used to strip the paint film from the surface.

The preferred method for installing tile over non-oil based painted surfaces is; securely fasten 3.2# diamond metal lath on 15# builder’s felt over the painted surfaces. Then apply a scratch and levelling coat of 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed; or, 3701 Latex Mortar Admix mixed with 226 Thick Bed Mortar to the lath, allow it to harden, and install tile by the thin set method.

Some latex house paints, when not in wet areas, may be covered directly by tiles. Care must be taken to determine that the paint is sound, well bonded to the surface, and will not be in a wet area. Rather than chance a questionable installation, it is best to sand, scarify, or remove the paint entirely before making the tile installation.

When bonding of tiles over existing interior epoxy paint is necessary, it is best to scuff up the painted surface, clean the area of any residue and install tile with LATAPOXY® 300 Adhesive. 

For more information read Technical Data Sheet TDS-1131.

For more information on LATICRETE permanent and trouble free installation products, training, or technical support, contact your local LATICRETE Sales Rep on 1800 331 012 - or email us here. 

Tiling and Grouting in Hot Weather

URGENT: Tiling & Grouting in Hot Weather

Technical Data Sheets - 1018 Hot Weather Tiling and Grouting

To get the most out of LATICRETE products during hot weather installations please take note:

Conventional Portland cement tile-setting beds, thin-set mortars, cement plasters and stuccos are often permanently damaged when subject to hot, dry temperatures or desert climates immediately after installation. High temperatures remove the water content of the mortar required for Portland cement hydration, curing and strength development. In addition, rapid drying often causes mortar to crack, crumble or lose bond. Waterproofing membranes, anti-fracture membranes, epoxy adhesives, epoxy grouts, epoxy waterproofing membranes and most other products will also be affected by hot working temperatures. Flash setting and reduced working time can result. It is important to note that surface temperature is more important than air temperature. Therefore, monitor the surface temperature of the installation. 

With the extreme high temperatures we are currently experiencing, there is a simple rule to follow when an installation is subjected to high temperatures: The 10ºC Rule – for every 10ºC above 21ºC, Portland cement and epoxy based materials take half as long to cure. Got your attention? Click here to continue reading.

For more information contact our Technical team by calling 1800 331 012 or email us here.