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| 1. - COTTO VERONA, MILANO AND COLONIAL FLOOR |
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Red rustic floors are already CURED when they are manufactured - making easier positioning and maintenance. We suggest you should follow these indications in order to make an optimum work:
1 - To prevent efflorescences it is indispensable to impermeabilize the floor base and/or cover.
2 - It is advisable to use impermeable glue and 12 mm teethed trowels.
3 - Mix the tiles contained in different packs in order to achieve a better distribution of tones and calibers.
4 - It is indispensable to position perimetral expansion joints (aprox. 5 mm). If the floor is very wide position intermediate joints (10 m2 for external areas and 15 m2 for internal ones). Respect the expansion joint minimun width recommended for the tile measures (10 mm for 20 x 20 and 20 x 30 tiles, 15 mm for 30 x 30 tiles). Position the tiles in order to maintain the same distance among joint centers, distributing small differences to each side of the joints.
5 - Joints metering 1:3:1 (cement, sand, pastine).
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2. - POSITIONING HANDBOOK
Source: Red ceramics positioning handbook, CICER (Red Ceramics Industrial Committee) |
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2.1. - Base characteristics
Figure 1C shows the different elements composing a floor.
It is very important that both counter floor and folder be resistant enough, well leveled and impermeabilized.
If the counter floor is weak or is located on a low resistance terrain, it will collapse and drag the ceramics floor.
Counter floors are built aimed to level the floor and give it the right slope. Because the counter floor surface is irregular, a folder is made upon it in order to achieve a flat surface.
The folder should be perfectly adhered to the counter floor and the counter floor/folder set has to be impermeable.
Most ceramic floors positioning defects result from mistakes when building counter floors and folders.
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2.2. - Issues to be considered when building counter floors and folders
2.2.1. - Waterproof insulation
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In the case of a new construction where the counter floor is going to be built on natural terrain it is very advisable to place an impermeable layer between the ground and the counter floor (v.g. a 150 microns thick polyethylene layer) in order to prevent humidity and steam from reaching the surface (steam barrier) (see fig. 1C).
Water will not be able to go through and steam will not condensate in the upper layers. Thus, adherence of certain kinds of glues will be guaranteed, efflorescences will be avoided and dry environments will be achieved.
If the placement of an intermediate layer is impossible a waterproof counter floor and/or folder will be built. Folder metering will be 1:3 (cement and thin sand) and a good quality waterproof material will be added during the mix preparation (manufacturer recommendations are to be observed). Tiles adhesive should be waterproof too.
Due to the wide variety of impermeabilizing and adhesive products we suggest you should ask manufacturers and obey their instructions.
However, in all cases it will be convenient that the folder setting time be as long as possible before positioning the floor (15 days minimum).
Care should be taken to achieve a perfect match between the floor's waterproof folder and the walls' isolation layer (see fig. 2C-2).
Sometimes gross wall stuccos are produced before the counter floor is, impeding contact between the wall's isolation layer and the floor's waterproof folder. (see fig. 2C).
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2.2.2. - Contraction / expansion joints in counter floors and folders
In order to control setting contractions joints are made in counter floors and folders. If floors are positioned in the outside layers should not exceed 4 m (13 ft.) per side, with a maximum surface of 12 m2 (121 sq. ft.). Besides, flexible joints should be placed around the perimeter and where the floor meets columns, holes, etc. (approx. width 7 mm or 0.28 inch). If floors are positioned in internal environments layers can be larger (5 m or 16 ft. per side, with a surface smaller than 20 m2 or 201 sq. ft.). Counter floor and folder joints depth should be approximately two times their width. Joints will be filled with some elastic material. Consider that counter floor and folder joints should match the ceramics floor joints so that you have to measure the floor size and make it match the joints locations in order to minimize floor tiles cuts. It is convenient to test the floor positioning placing the floor tiles without adhesive, planning the tiles location, accessories and cuts.
2.3. - Floors positioning
2.3.1. - Tiles preparation
Tiles from different packs should be mixed in order to improve the color tones distribution. Use an adamantine disk to cut tiles. Usually tiles are positioned from the center of the environment to its sides.
2.3.2. - Tiles positioning and joints among tiles
Slight differences among tiles measures are a feature of this kind of floors and provide decoration with the desired rustic appearance. That's why a joint wide enough should be practiced among tiles.
According to the tiles size and the kind of floor to be installed, joints among tiles should be from 10 mm (0.39 inch) to 20 mm (0.79 inch). Always ask the manufacturer. Tiles are glued using first quality cement adhesive - use a dentated trowel of an appropriate size. Tiles lining should be done by means of threads, taking the joints axis as a reference.
In order to verify the appropriate glue distribution set the tile, press it slightly and lift it. You should verify that the back of the tile is completely covered by glue. Clean the excess of adhesive before it hardens as long as you position the tiles.
Then fill up the joint carefully spilling the chosen material by means of a recipient. Eventually you should retouch the joint before it sets.
Do not fill up the joint spilling the material over the whole floor surface and then cleaning the remains. If you are working with color pastines enhance precautions in order to avoid spotting the floor. The floor should not be walked on before 24 hours since it has been positioned.
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| 3. - FLOORS IN ACCESSIBLE ROOFS |
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Given the wide variety of impermeabilizing products and systems, we suggest you should always ask the manufacturers.
A frequent way to position a tiles floor on a roof is shown in fig. 3C. A membrane with no aluminium layer is perfectly adhered to a flattened folder built upon the counter floor.
Then a sealing substance (generally made of asphalt) and another flattened cement folder are applied. Tiles are glued upon this last folder.
Never glue tiles directly upon the membrane!
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| 4. - POSITIONING SUGGESTIONS |
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| 5. - CLEANING NEW FLOORS |
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After installing the floor, clean mixture and grout excesses with water and a commercial neutral detergent before materials harden and dry the surface (treat areas smaller than 4 m2). Then, wash the entire surface, rinse well and dry quickly.
In the event the mixture does not become detached, try to do it manually with a scraper or a similar tool; if this does not work, treat the area with a 10% commercial caustic or acid specific solution, for example: FERMA LIM from WEBER or JATO from JOHNSON, etc.
After the baking process and due to the absorption rate ranging between 6% and 9%, Alberdi ceramic floors are treated with a polymer-based curing film intended to make them waterproof and to prevent staining products from affecting them. Therefore, acid or alkaline products may destroy this film. If this happens on the surface of a sector or in general, take the following steps:
1 - Wet the porous surface with water.
2 - Apply a solution of commercial remover in water (as specified by manufacturers, who usually advise 50% solutions) on a surface smaller than 4 m2 by using a broom or a hand brush (the ideal would be to use an industrial pressure washer).
3 - It is important to rinse well and wash the surface 1 or 2 times before moving to a different sector.
4 - When the surface is dry, approximately 24 hours after wash, apply a colorless product for sealing and curing non-enameled ceramics (follow the instructions of the manufacturer).
5 - 24 hours later, mop the floor and then apply a liquid colorless shine product for non-enameled ceramics.
Repeat the operation indicated in point 5 every 7 days during 3 weeks and then select a treatment cycle, which may have a weekly, monthly or two-monthly frequency, at the option of the consumer.
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