{"id":554,"date":"2019-05-01T19:16:57","date_gmt":"2019-05-01T19:16:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tilebar.com\/learn\/?p=554"},"modified":"2024-08-26T07:50:33","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T07:50:33","slug":"avoid-costly-mortar-missteps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tilebar.com\/learn\/avoid-costly-mortar-missteps\/","title":{"rendered":"Here’s How To Avoid Costly Mortar Missteps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Innovations in mortar technology have made it easier to meet the specific demands of a variety of jobs. However, a mortar is only as good as its installer, and forgetting installation fundamentals can result in callbacks and job failures. Help avoid costly mortar missteps with the following four basic \u2013 but crucial \u2013 techniques.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technique 1. Prepare the substrate.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Help achieve a proper bond and reduce callbacks by properly preparing your substrate before installation begins. Surface preparation can be as easy as sweeping the floor or wiping it with a damp, clean sponge before beginning to set tile<\/a>. If your substrate\u2019s variation exceeds acceptable flatness tolerances, its preparation will require more than a surface cleaning. In these cases, use a patching mortar or self-leveling under layment as needed. Properly preparing your substrate doesn\u2019t have to mean lengthening your installation timeline. Some fast-setting patches allow tile installation as soon as 1 to 1-1\/2 hours after application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technique 2. Select the correct mortar for the job.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You have a vast array of mortars at your trowel tips.\nToo often, mortars are selected based on cost factors alone. But choosing the\nwrong mortar can ultimately result in installation failures whose costs far\nexceed any initial savings. For example, installers may run into trouble when\nthey use a modified thin-set mortar, rather than a large-and-heavy-tile mortar\n(LHT), to install large-format tile. For large-format tile installations, don\u2019t\nsettle for trying to build a standard modified mortar up to 1\/2\u201d thick.\nStandard mortar, unlike a LHT mortar, is not designed to maintain a 1\/2\u201d\nthickness after the tile is embedded. For that reason, it may shrink and cause lippage when used with large-format tile. Use a LHT\nmortar when your tile job meets the below requirements, provided by the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone\nTile Installation<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. You\u2019re installing a \u201clarge\u201d tile that\u2019s at least one side 15\u201d or greater. <\/li>
  2. You\u2019re installing \u201cheavy\u201d tile that weighs over five pounds per square foot. <\/li>
  3. The bond coat thickness after the tile is embedded is intended to be 3\/32\u201d to 1\/2\u201d. <\/li>
  4. You intend to use the LHT mortar to directly bond adhesives and don\u2019t intend to use it for truing or leveling underlying substrates.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Technique 3. Control the Climate.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Outdoor installations in four-season regions present a particular set of installation challenges. If left under the hot summer sun, thin-set mortar will set up too fast \u2013 as if you had mixed it with warm water. Direct sunlight on hot, dry days can cause mortar to lose its moisture to the atmosphere. The result is a weakened mortar that may not hold up over time. For better results, protect the installation from direct sunlight by tenting.    Cold temperatures present the opposite problem. Optimal temperatures are between 50-70 degrees prior to install, and for 48 hours after. Don\u2019t install if freezing is imminent or cannot be protected against. Whenever installing in cooler temperatures, be sure to keep the extended cure time in mind during and after installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Technique 4. Achieve Proper Coverage.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019ve prepared your substrate, selected\nthe proper mortar and taken climate into account, you\u2019re ready to begin\ntroweling. Remember, average contact area for tile should be at least 80%\ngenerally and increases to 95% in exterior, shower, or wet-area installations.\nNatural stone, however, requires a contact area of 100%. Back-buttering is\nusually a good idea to achieve 100% coverage for large and heavy tile,\nespecially with natural stone, but it does add installation time. Manufacturing\nguidelines help an installer choose the trowel size that will help ensure\nproper coverage, making back-buttering unnecessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When setting large-format tiles with an LHT\nmortar, larger trowels are needed to apply enough bonding mortar to achieve\nmortar coverage requirements. Remember, mortar coverage will vary with the\ntrowel size and condition of the substrate. To check that you are achieving\nproper coverage, periodically pull up a tile immediately after placing it, and\nlook at its backside to see how much contact and coverage you\u2019ve achieved. That\nway, you can verify that you are using the right amount of material and notch\nsize. In the end, every project is unique. As large-format tiles continue to\ngrow in popularity, this is a good time to review the newest recommended\ninstallation techniques and technology on the market. The advent of LHT mortar\ntechnology brings more uniformity to the installation process and peace of mind\nfor everyone involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By Tom Plaskota, TEC Technical Support Manager<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The TEC\u00ae brand is offered by H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc. \u2013 a leading provider of technologically-advanced construction materials and solutions to the commercial, industrial and residential construction industry. Headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, the company\u2019s recognized and trusted brands \u2013 TEC\u00ae, CHAPCO\u00ae, Grout Boost\u00ae, Foster\u00ae, ProSpec\u00ae and others \u2013 are available through an extensive network of distributors and dealers, as well as home improvement retailers. For more information, visit www. hbfuller-cp.com.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the Interior Design world? Join our VIP Trade Program and you can enjoy a ton of perks like special discounts and volume pricing, to name a few. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Reprinted with permission from TileLetter January 2017 issue. Visit TileLetter.com <\/a>for more information. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Innovations in mortar technology have made it easier to meet the specific demands of a variety of jobs. However, a mortar is only as good as its installer, and forgetting installation fundamentals can result in callbacks and job failures. Help avoid costly mortar missteps with the following four basic \u2013 but crucial \u2013 techniques.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":600,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,19],"tags":[411,86],"class_list":["post-554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pros","category-tile-101","tag-diy-tips","tag-tile-advice"],"yoast_head":"\nHere's How To Avoid Costly Mortar Missteps - Tileist by Tilebar<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We help you avoid costly mortar missteps with four basic \u2013 but crucial \u2013 techniques. 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