Ordinary cement mortar (screed, render or concrete) undergoes hydration (the reaction between the cement and the water). This process allows for movement and shrinkage caused by the process of hydration and evaporation of the water over time. Not adhering to the recommended drying times can result in tilling failures.

All recommendations contained below are based on the SABS SANS10107:2011 Code of Practice for the Design and Installation of Ceramic Tiles.

New concrete                       6 weeks

New screeds                         4 weeks

New render                           2 weeks

New brickwork                     4 weeks

Prime area with a slurry of Basecoat and Key

Surface must be firm and free of dust, loose partials, mould, oil, grease, wax polish and organic growth.

PVA painted and gypsum plastered surfaces need to be chipped to remove 80% of the paint and gypsum

Enamel painted and bitumen coated surfaces, strip 100% of the coating by scraping and then chip to expose 80% of the substrate to be tiled on

Ensure that existing tiles are firm, clean with a mild acid and rinse thoroughly with clean cold water. Allow to dry thoroughly before tiling commences.

Smooth off-form shutter or power floated cement surfaces must be cleaned with a mild acid wash to remove laitance, rinse with clean cold water. Allow to dry thoroughly before tiling commences.

All recommendations contained are based on the SABS SANS10107:2011 Code of Practice for the Design and Installation of Ceramic Tiles.

To ensure an aesthetically pleasing outcome rather commence tiling from the centre point of the area to be tiled to ensure even cuts on both sides of a floor, or wall,  by  adjusting the layout to avoid narrow tiles along the edges. Do NOT Butt joint tiles

Always mix tiles from various boxes to ensure colour and shade continuity.

Spread adhesive with the correct floor, or wall, notched trowel. Press tiles firmly into wet adhesive with a twisting action. Use a rubber mallet for large or heavy tiles.

Occasionally lift a tile to check that full contact is being made between the tile and the adhesive.

Use only dry tiles. Do not soak tiles.

Prime area with a slurry of Basecoat and Key and allow to dry. Replace all water in mixing instructions of cementitious adhesives and grout with Bond.

Do not moisten joints. Liberally apply grout to the joint by working the grout across the joints with a squeegee ensuring that the joints are filled. For porous tiles we suggest sealing before grouting.

Standard Adhesive can be used with ceramic, natural stone, brick, clay, cement and certain mosaic tiles (not foiled glass)

Professional Adhesive can be used with ceramic, natural stone, brick, clay, cement and certain mosaic tiles (not foiled glass)

Porcelain 12&24 can be used with porcelain and other non-porous tiles. Not recommended for light coloured porcelain or marble                        

Superset 6 can be used with ceramic, natural stone, porcelain and other non-porous tiles, cement, brick, clay and certain mosaic tiles (not foiled glass). Not recommended for light coloured porcelain or marble.

Marblefix can be used on light-coloured polished porcelain, ceramic tiles, crystalline marble tiles and coarse crystalline natural stone.

Wood is prone to moisture intake and changing temperatures which cause wood to expand, contract and flex. The preparation of these surfaces is therefore of utmost importance. All flexible wooden surfaces must be suitably braced to reduce flexibility and/or spring. The surface must be primed with Basecoat and Key before tiling. Replace all water in mixing instructions of cementitious adhesives and grout with Bond.

The preparation is of extreme importance. It is not always necessary to remove fixed tiles before replacing them, however it is advisable.  Existing tiles must be cleaned by means of a light acid wash, thoroughly rinsed with cold water and left to dry. Ensure all tiles are soundly attached, no hollow sounds, loose tiles, etc. before tiling. The surface must be primed with Basecoat and Key before tiling. Replace all water in mixing instructions of cementitious adhesives and grout with Bond.

Bitumen is a black residue from the distillation of petroleum and is mainly used for the fixing of wood block floors (parquet) and vinyl floor tiles. Tiling onto this surface with a cement-based adhesive is not recommended unless the correct surface preparation is done.

All bitumen must be removed 100% from the surface and then chipped to expose 80% of the substrate and the substrate must be primed with Basecoat and Key before tiling. Replace all water in mixing instructions of cementitious adhesives and grout with Bond.

Minimum grouting joints for ceramic wall tiles is 2 mm and ceramic floor tiles is 5 mm. Minimum joint size for porcelain tiles is 3mm. These grouting joints are very important to ensure that the adhesive cures and the tiles can absorb minimal stress movement.

Tiles need grouting joints to assist in various situations, i.e. irreversible moisture expansion, structural movement, vast temperature changes, etc. so if they are butt jointed there is no room for these factors to take place which can lead to part or total failure of the tiles.