Please Note :

Clay Tiles are not precision Tiles. They are manufactured as an organic, mostly hand-made product. Small chips and cracks are part and parcel of the product and this all adds to the unique, very rustic and beautiful finish you will have upon completion.

It is of the utmost importance that your tiler is familiar with this  product. 

• It is of utmost importance that your tiler works as clean and tidy as possible as this avoids cleaning difficulties after the tiles have been laid

• Tell your tiler to clean all traces of cement, grouting or adhesive off the surface of the tiles as he/she works, before it dries, using a clean damp sponge and clean water.

• This avoids unnecessary acid washing and scrubbing later to remove these substances.

• If any of these substances is left to dry on the tiles, clean it off with Mortarlift or a similar product.

• If a white or yellow salt appears (Efflorescence) it can be scrubbed off with a dry hard brush and a mild acid water mixture before sealing. This process may need to be repeated several times.

• Paint can be removed with turpentine or thinners.

• Tiles must be laid into a 100% cured base to avoid efflorescence.

• The tile can be laid into a thin wet screed (±3mm), but tile adhesive is preferable as there is less chance of efflorescence.

• When Tile Adhesive is used to lay the tiles, the installed product must be left for 14 days before it is sealed. During this time the floor can be cleaned using a damp mop. (Do not use too much water as this can prolong the curing time for the adhesive).

• Tiles should not be laid on an uncured surface.

Spacing for the joints are recommended as follows:

10mm for the 152x152
15mm for the 228x228
20mm for the 290x290
25mm for the 400x400

When laying the tiles, please note that the tiles have an extruded (smooth) side and a wire cut side. In line of sight, usually judged from the entrance of a room, it is advised to use the extruded side. (i.e. The extruded sides must face the same direction on the entire floor surface).

Slightly over- fill the joints using a mixture of 1 cement to 2 plaster sand in the form of a paste. The mixture then shrinks as it dries. After about 20 minutes cut the excess cement away with a trowel so that the cement is now LEVEL with the surface of the tile, then smooth with a wet sponge. Do not rule joints, this will spoil the whole effect and become a dirt trap.

Do not use pit sand or beach sand because the salt content may cause the tile to delaminate as well as causing efflorescence in the grouting.

Sealing

We recommend that all tiles should be sealed using the below mentioned method.

Tiles used on exterior surfaces can be left unsealed and will darken and “seal” themselves over the years.

If you seal tiles used on exterior surfaces tiles might need to be resealed every 2 to 3 months because of sun evaporation.

Method

• Use the following boiled linseed oil mixture.

• This method can be done DIY but it is easier to use a sealing company (Phone us if you need a reference).

• Mix boiled linseed oil with turpentine in equal measures.

• Coverage is about 9 to 15 litres of the mixture per 100m2 for 3 thin coats.

• Ensure the floor is totally clean before sealing. When cleaning the floor before sealing keep changing the water in the bucket until it no longer shows any dirt.

• If you have trouble getting the floor clean, a weak acid wash can be used (10% pool acid / 90% water)

• A clean floor has a rich clay colour with no dull grey film of cement covering it.

• The sealant must be applied until the tiles are saturated i.e. sealant is no longer being absorbed by the tile (sealant will start forming pools on the surface of the tiles).

• Any excess sealant can be cleaned off the tiles by using a cloth moistened with turpentine.

• In cold weather, use 2 parts turpentine to 1 part boiled linseed oil for better penetration.

• Apply three thin even coats at a warm time of day, as this mixture congeals when cold. (Heat only in the sun as this mixture is flammable).

• Allow about 1 hour between coats,

• After sealing apply 1 to 2 coats of wax polish, preferably Nova 13 and buff the floor thoroughly after each coat with a heavy duty-polishing machine if available.

• Do not use polish in wet areas such as showers or any exterior areas.

• Floors can be re-sealed every 5 to 7 years to restore the product to a like new finish.

Any areas where terracotta will be exposed to a SALTWATER Chlorinator - we do not recommend using this product or any natural porous product with SALTWATER Chlorinators

• The tiles must be carefully sealed before salt exposure occurs, to prevent the tile from flaking.

• Within one meter of a salt pool, the tiles should receive a topcoat of sealer each year or so depending on traffic.

• Any flaking tiles can be carefully chopped out and replaced.

We cannot be held responsible for any salt-water chlorinator damage to our Tiles

Maintenance

• For both sealed and unsealed tiles, clean the floor with a clean damp mop and Dettol Hygienic Liquid added to a bucket of water.

• Add a capful of car shampoo to the water if the floor is very dirty (car shampoo does not break down wax and is a gentle cleaner).

• You can add a capful of Nova 13 to your normal wash water once a month to maintain the polish.

• Do not apply Nova 13 too often as this can cause a wax build up.

• The floor can be buffed to re-establish its lustre.

• Only add more polish if the floor begins to look dry.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 November 2009 08:58 )