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Home > Laying Guidelines
Do NOT use a mortar mix.
If Boiled Linseed Oil is to be applied, this must be done prior to sealing and left to fully dry. Drying time - 24 hours.
When applying grout to reclaimed terracotta, ensure that an appropriate coating of sealant has been applied before grouting to aid cleaning of the tile surfaces -
Mix until a smooth creamy paste is obtained. If available, use a slow speed mixer (maximum 150 rev/mm) to prevent the excessive formation of air bubbles.
Leave the mix to stand for 2-3 minutes and then remix briefly before use.
The working time of the grout changes between different types and manufacturers, varying from anything between 30 minutes to a few hours.
If the grout starts to set before applying it to the tiles, do not add more water, simply discard and clean out the mixing container before making up another batch.
After completing your work, ensure that any material left is removed from your container, and that the container is cleaned before the grout has cured.
Fill the tile joints with the grout paste using either a hard rubber float or squeegee without leaving voids or gaps.
Remove the excess grout from the surface by drawing the float diagonally across the joints whilst the paste is still fresh.
Leave the paste to firm up in the joints until it is no longer plastic.
Clean off the surplus grout with a damp hard cellulose sponge working diagonally across the joints without applying any pressure. Rinse the sponge frequently preferably using two buckets of water; one for removing the surplus paste from the sponge and the other for just clean water for the final rinsing of the sponge and moistening new ones.
Use a special grouting sponge – the proverbial bath and household sponges rapidly fall to pieces become quickly overloaded with grout.
The final cleaning of the residual film of grout powder from the surface of the tiles should be carried out using dry waste paper or a clean dry cloth after the grout has set.
If the cleaning off is carried out too quickly (when the paste is still plastic) it is possible that the grout will be partially removed from the joints.
On the other hand, once the product has set hard, cleaning by mechanical means will be necessary which is very difficult and likely to cause damage to the surfaces.
Laying Guidelines for Reclaimed Terracotta and Brick Tiles
It is strongly recommended that reclaimed Terracotta is laid using a tile adhesive.Do NOT use a mortar mix.
Sealing
The sealant should be applied after laying and prior to grouting. Allow the Sealant to fully penetrate the surface. Any excess should be sponged off. Once the terracotta has been sealed it should be left for at least 8 hours. Some sealants may take as long as 24 hours.If Boiled Linseed Oil is to be applied, this must be done prior to sealing and left to fully dry. Drying time - 24 hours.
General Precautions
All necessary movement joints such as the surrounds of baths etc. should either be initially filled with suitable flexible mastic/silicone, or protected to ensure excess grout is not allowed to accumulate and set.When applying grout to reclaimed terracotta, ensure that an appropriate coating of sealant has been applied before grouting to aid cleaning of the tile surfaces -
Preparing the joints
The joints to be grouted must be dry, clean and free of dust and foreign matter. They should be clear for at least 2/3 of the depth of the tile – any excess mortar or adhesive must be removed.Preparing the grout
Whilst stirring pour the dry powder mix into a clean plastic bucket containing a small quantity of clean water (refer to manufacturers instructions for details of quantities).Mix until a smooth creamy paste is obtained. If available, use a slow speed mixer (maximum 150 rev/mm) to prevent the excessive formation of air bubbles.
Leave the mix to stand for 2-3 minutes and then remix briefly before use.
The working time of the grout changes between different types and manufacturers, varying from anything between 30 minutes to a few hours.
If the grout starts to set before applying it to the tiles, do not add more water, simply discard and clean out the mixing container before making up another batch.
After completing your work, ensure that any material left is removed from your container, and that the container is cleaned before the grout has cured.
Applying the grout
Always use the same method of working to obtain uniform results. Where the tiles are absorbent or the ambient temperature is very high lightly dampen the surfaces of the joints with a wet sponge before applying the grout.Fill the tile joints with the grout paste using either a hard rubber float or squeegee without leaving voids or gaps.
Remove the excess grout from the surface by drawing the float diagonally across the joints whilst the paste is still fresh.
Leave the paste to firm up in the joints until it is no longer plastic.
Clean off the surplus grout with a damp hard cellulose sponge working diagonally across the joints without applying any pressure. Rinse the sponge frequently preferably using two buckets of water; one for removing the surplus paste from the sponge and the other for just clean water for the final rinsing of the sponge and moistening new ones.
Use a special grouting sponge – the proverbial bath and household sponges rapidly fall to pieces become quickly overloaded with grout.
The final cleaning of the residual film of grout powder from the surface of the tiles should be carried out using dry waste paper or a clean dry cloth after the grout has set.
If the cleaning off is carried out too quickly (when the paste is still plastic) it is possible that the grout will be partially removed from the joints.
On the other hand, once the product has set hard, cleaning by mechanical means will be necessary which is very difficult and likely to cause damage to the surfaces.