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More and more frequently, unusual substrates including steel, metal and aluminium are being used in tile or stone installations. Swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, elevator cabs, and cooler floors and walls frequently have a steel surface on which to bond tile. Below are methods to properly install tile to these substrates.
The preferred method for installation over steel is;
- Steel, metal or aluminium substrate must be rigid and meet the maximum allowable standard for deflection of L/360 for ceramic tile or L/480 for stone tile
- Tack weld or mechanically fasten 1.8kg/m2 galvanized or otherwise suitable diamond metal lath over the steel surface in accord with good trade practice to provide an adequate structural connection for this installation and sufficient space for adequate mortar thickness behind.
- Apply a scratch and levelling coat of 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed; or, 3701 Mortar Admix mixed with 226 Thick Bed Mortar to encapsulate and fill the lath.
- After the mortar hardens, HYDRO BAN® may be installed where specified.
- Tile may be installed with 254 Platinum Adhesive, 335 Premium Flexible Adhesive or 4237 Latex Additive mixed with 211 Crete Filler Powder. In areas where a more chemically resistant adhesive is necessary (or when installing water sensitive marble or agglomerate) install with LATAPOXY® 300 Adhesive.
- When tile has set firm, grout with SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium Grout; or, PERMACOLOR® Grout. For areas subjected to food acids, harsh chemicals or extreme heat use SPECTRALOCK 2000 IG.
Uneven Colouring
Ideally, grout has a consistent colouring from one side of the room to the other. In practice, it is not unusual to see fluctuation in the colour. This issue can be caused by many issues. Most commonly, the error comes from issues mixing the grout. If only half of the bag is used to mix a batch, it is possible for the colour pigment to be uneven from one batch to the next. Also, if extra water is added into a batch of grout to rehydrate it during the job, the colour will be lighter after the water is added. Another common cause is using dirty water or a dirty sponge to wipe off the tiles during grouting or removal of grout haze.
Art3E4M - 127cm Sigma's back in stock! A large push action heavy duty tile cutter with adjustable height settings and a diagonal arm that swivels from 0°-45° in both directions.
Be in quick as this stock won't last!
Stainless Steel Square Edge
- Stainless Steel Square Edge available in 3 metre lengths
- Creates an elegant decorative finish for stairs, external corners both horizontal and vertical, transition between carpet and tile and finishing trim on wall.
