Step 1:
Proper application of
cement tiles requires a double spread of adhesive.
The adhesive must be spread widely on
the floor, but also over the whole underside of the tile. Spot gluing, i.e. with
small, scattered blobs of adhesive will cause tiles to be laid unevenly and thus
crack.
Step 2:
We advise strongly
against positioning the tile with a tiler’s mallet, even one made of rubber.
Blows will inveitably crack the tiles.
Step 3:
The tiles should be
prepared before grouting. It is essential to avoid the grouting product entering
the small holes in the surface, or a veil of cement that is invisible while wet
should dry, tarnishing the apprearance of the surface...
The tiling can be protected by
moistening the non-adhesion surface, but also and even more effectively by
oiling the surface. Oil is preferable to was, which tends to block the joints.
It is also wise to work on small areas at a time, to ensure that the grouting
product does not have the time to dry before being thoroughly cleaned off with
clean water.
 
Step 4:
The best finish, which
will give a mild sheen to the colours, is wax
Depending on a
personal choice, it may be used often and polished for a very shiny apprearace,
or occasionally just to feed the tiles.
Repeated washing with
finished soap will also give a finish with a very natural apprearance.
Users will adapt the cleaning method to
their taste for a shiny or satin finish as well as to the intensity of use.
Step 5:
Traditional laying
using thick mortar on stabilized sand or on a rigid substrate concrete, screed
can be used, but is has several drawbacks and a few additional precautions need
to be taken:
-
immersion of the tiles
in water for at least 4 hours before laying;
-
it is impossible to
use a mallet which would crack the tiles;
-
possibility of
efflorescences apprearing after the tiles are laid. Eventually these will
disapprear, but only after frequent washing;
-
long period of
drying-out required before being able to seal with was;
-
need for tiles to be laid by an
experienced professional tiler.
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