TILES LAYING - METHODOLOGY

1. CHECKS PRIOR TO START OF WORK

STORAGE OF TILES

• The tiles shall be stacked on edges on regular platforms in proper layers and tiers.  Height of stack shall not be more than 1 meter.  During unloading, care shall be exercised to avoid breakage.

• Tiles of different quality, size and thickness shall be stacked separately. Special care should be taken to ensure different batch materials do not get mixed up.

• Tiles supplied in crates shall be stored as such.  The crates shall be opened one at a time as and when required for use.  Tiles supplied in cartons shall be handled with care. Within the site, the tiles shall be transported on platform trolleys.

• Manufacturer’s test certificate to establish conformity with relevant IS Codes shall be furnished by supplier.

2. WALL TILING

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

• In order to obtain uniform tonality, it is recommended to mix tiles from different boxes for laying to great, harmonious tonality.

• Backing plaster shall be initially carried out on the brick/block walls so as to achieve a background that is fairly to plumb and at right angles in all corners.  This plaster shall be furnished rough to provide key while fixing of the ceramic tiles.

• The backing plaster shall be carried out not earlier than 28 days after the masonry has been constructed.  So also, the ceramic tiling shall be fixed only after allowing a period of 28 days after the plastering, to allow for shrinkage of the plaster.

• Cutting of tiles should be kept to the minimum.  Cut tiles shall finish into internal corners and floor, wherever possible.

• Make sure the distance from the skirting board or worktop to the top of the batten is no more than on whole tile allowing the grouting gap. The main body of whole tiles - known as the 'field' - is fixed first and the adhesive is allowed to dry. Then the border or edge tiles are fitted.

• Tiles shall be soaked in water for at least two hours prior to use.  Neat cement paste shall be battered on the back of the tile pressed on to the background surface and tapped gently with a wooden/rubber mallet.  Any gap between the tile and the background shall be filled with cement paste so as to avoid hollowness behind tiles.

• Wall tiles shall be fixed with a joint of 2.5mm between tiles.  Proprietary spacers shall be used for achieving a uniform joint width in all directions.

• Great care shall be exercised to keep all courses perfectly horizontal and perfectly vertical. From time to time, hold a spirit level or straight edge across the tile surface to ensure straightness.  

• All corners shall be provided with proprietary PVC corner strips and tiling started beyond the strip.

• The joints shall be filled with a proprietary non-shrink waterproof filler material of matching color after a minimum gap of 24 hours and finished slightly recessed.

3. FLOORING TILE 

• The concrete base to receive flooring shall be cleared off mortar dropping etc. and cleaned

thoroughly.

• Cement mortar (1:3) screed shall be spread evenly in the room based on the “level dots” made already and tamped. The recommended thickness of mortar should be in the range of 20-25 mm.
• In order to obtain uniform tonality, it is recommended to mix tiles from different boxes for laying to great, harmonious tonality.
• Cement slurry of ‘Honey’ like consistency (1 bag to 60 litres of water) shall be prepared and spread on the mortar bed to an extent that can be covered with the tiles within half an hour.  The tiles shall be placed on the slurry coat matching all four corners and fixed in place with the help of a wooden / rubber mallet.
• Alternatively, tiles can be laid on a bed of adhesive using plastic spacers, to create a gap between tiles, which can be grouted later on. Lay around one sq. metre of adhesive at a time and press the tiles into place, with correct gap provided by spacers, available in different thickness.
• Proper slopes shall be given in flooring of toilets and balconies to ensure quick drainage of water on the surface.
•  Floor tiles shall be laid with minimum joint width, which shall be grouted with a proprietary non-shrink, waterproof filler material.
• After the tiles have been laid, clean the joints thoroughly with a brush to remove loose mortar before it dries up.
• For the tiles to set properly it is essential to allow a 24-hour setting period before filling. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO WALK ON THE FRESHLY TILED SURFACE.

GROUTING

1.         Always use Quality grout, suggested by Consultant or Architect.

2.         The gaps between ceramic tiles need to be filled with grout. Plain and coloured ready mixed grouts are also available. To spread the grout, use a rubber squeezee making sure it is pushed well into the gaps between the tiles. Remove excess grout regularly as it is difficult to get off once it has been allowed to harden. Wipe off the extra grouting (before it sets hard) with a damp sponge and polish with a dry cloth.

3.         Filling of grout in the floor will be the last activity only to be done along snagging. All grouts to be of lighter shade of the tile.

 4.        Chipped tiles should not be used. All ceramic and terracotta tile should be immersed in water 12 hrs before laying. Stick the name of the tile mason over the tiled area done by him.

 5.        For skirting using vitrified or ceramic tile the wall level and tile level should be flush with 4

mm pre groove. However avoid using cut tiles for skirting unless skirting tiles are factory manufactured and come with chamfered edges. Granite/ Marble skirting is preferred.    

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

4. INSPECTION METHODOLOGY

• Check for conformance of the tiled pattern, specifications and tile grout colour to the approved drawings.

• Check for uniformity in line, level and grout thickness visually. 

• 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.

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

• Ensure that no tile is broken/ cracked and the joints are well filled.

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