GRANITE & MARBLE LAYING - METHODOLOGY

STORAGE OF GRANITE AND MARBLE

1.            The slabs/ tiles shall be stacked on edges on regular platforms under cover.  During unloading, care shall be exercised to avoid breakage.

2.            Tiles of different quality, size and thickness shall be stacked separately.

3.            Within the site, the tiles shall be transported on platform trolleys

RECOMMENDED TILE LAYING PROCEDURE

 CHECKS PRIOR TO START OF WORK

• The marble/granite tiles shall be ordered in sizes as determined by site dimensions to avoid cutting at site.

• The material received at site shall be checked for the following defects prior to acceptance.
• Tiles of same type but with distinctly different colour or texture shall be  rejected outright. Tiles shall be free from holes, seams, shakes, pockets, stains and other effects and shall be of uniform colour and texture. 

• Ensure that the site is cleaned, taking care to remove any loose concrete, mortar or other substances

• All chasing for the concealed piping, and electrical conduiting etc. shall be carried out before commencement of work.
• 

• Make bull mark levels according to architectural specifications

• Design mix of Cement Mortar (1:6 or 1:8) to be followed

• Ensure that the tiles to be laid are matched, numbered and available in the required number for laying on the site

• Tiles are dry matched in the yard. They are then cut to the exact size required, and numbered in the sequence and are laid at site in exactly the same order.

• For marble works, coat the bottom with sealant before laying. It is good practice to seal the top also after laying and polishing. This is done due to the high porosity of marble.

CHECKS DURING EXECUTION OF WORK

• As per drawing, work should be started by taking right angles for existing walls.

• Laying starts as per the previously numbered tiles

• The surface on which granite or marble is to be laid is watered. A bed of mortar is placed on the floor, and tiles are put into position with white cement slurry.

• Leveling is done with an aluminium straight edge and rubber hammer.

• If there is any slope, it has to be decided in the bull itself.

• Joint filler should make a joint filling material as per colour of the tiles

• Putty blade is used to rake all joints and fill the joint material neatly as the joints will be paper joints. 

• For fixing tiles to wall, suitable stainless steel mechanical anchors shall be used.

POST-EXECUTION CHECKS

• Stick the name of the tile mason on the job done by him.

• All surfaces & edges, which will remain exposed after installation, shall be polished.

• Cure all tiling works and joint filling works for 3 days.

• After work is complete, ensure that it is covered with plastic sheet and Plaster of Paris

SKIRTING

• 10 mm tiles are used for skirting, and the height of the tile is 100 mm.

• Skirting is chamfered at the edge to 4 mm. and fixed so that after fixing the tile 4 mm of straight edge and 4 mm chamfered edge is seen outside. The skirting goes into the plaster by about 2 mm.

• Check the right angle that the skirting makes with the floor tile.

• For skirting with granite the skirting will be pushed out as following                    

COPING

• The back of the granite should be pasted with Araldite and rough pebbles should be affixed to ensure proper bonding.

• Measure granite as per the specifications of the architect

• The coping may be half- or full- bull nosed.

• Tiles for treads, coping etc. shall be supplied with rounded / profiled edges, grooves etc. as shown in the drawings.

• Cut out in marble/granite tiles shall be cut with a rebated edge to allow faceplates to finish flush with the finished surface.

TOOLS TO BE USED BY TRADESMEN

Required tools must be available at site to ensure correct work. Basic tools of the tiling gang are:

1.            Trowels

2.            Line dori

3.            Tube levels

4.            Plumb bobs

5.            Measurement Tape

6.            Spirit levels 1-2m

7.            Sand sieve

8.            Aluminium straight edge

9.            Right angle

10.         Chipping Tools

11.         Masons hammer

12.         Rubber hammer

13.         Leveling threads

14.         Tile cutter

15.         Angle grinder

16.         Masons brushes and buckets

17.         Mortar boxes 

INSPECTION METHODOLOGY FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE

1.            Check for conformance of the tiled pattern and specifications to the approved drawings.

2.            Check for uniformity in line and level visually. 

3.            Check of straightness of tiled surface. The fresh tiled surface should be of proper level using a spirit level/ Aluminium straight edge or line dori.

4.            Ensure the cement and the sand have been checked/ tested prior to tiling. 

5.            Ensure that the granite/ marble not is broken/ cracked and joints are well filled. In case of cracks near the edges, these cracks to be filled using epoxy compound.

6.            After joint filing, ensure that joints are made even using an angle grinder.

7.            Tap the tiled surface to check for hollowness. The tiled surface should be covered with POP and tarpaulin sheets to prevent damage to the tiled surface. 

8.            Ensure while fixing of granite doorjambs, proper packing with cement paste throughout the entire contact surface of the granite slab and blockwork. This surface should be 900 to the floor.

9.            During fixing of windowsills, ensure that the concerned mason immediately removes extra cement slurry/ dripping.

10.         Ensure chamfering of skirting is as per specifications. 

11.         Treads and risers to be of uniform dimension and thickness.

TOOLS TO BE USED FOR QUALITY INSPECTION

1.            Plumb bobs

2.            Spirit levels 1-2m

3.            Aluminium straight edge

4.            Measuring Tape

5.            Approved “Good for Construction” Drawings