Application Instructions for Hydraulic Tiles
You are receiving 100% handmade hydraulic tiles, manufactured by craftsmen who perpetuate a meticulous technique, from the preparation of the paints to the final drying of the product, counting on the care so that you receive quality products.
Our care goes beyond manufacturing. For an excellent result, we have elaborated some instructions that go from laying, finishing and maintenance of the tiles:
Dalle Piagge hydraulic tiles must be stored in a covered place and on pallets. The boxes cannot be wet, as the cardboard can stain the floor;
When retracted from the boxes, the tiles must be kept 'face to face', the way they are accommodated inside the package, avoiding scratches on the pieces. Do not stack tiles with the bottom meeting the top of the other tile;
The laying must be white ACIII mortar (internal or external), using a notched trowel;
As they are handcrafted pieces, it is normal for there to be a difference in thickness (from 1 to 2 mm) between them. To regularize them, the pieces must be laid down, applying the 'double' mortar - (on the pieces and on the subfloor), bringing this difference 'in the mass'. When applying mortar behind the piece, make sure that the mortar is even - (also on the edges of the tiles), otherwise, after laying they may have small 'Games' with the movement of people and cracking of the pieces, especially at their ends.
The laying is always done with a 'dry joint', there is no spacing to be given between the pieces as in the laying of ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, etc. Except for certain conditions, the spacing should be between 1mm and 2mm.
If you use a rubber mallet to lay the pieces, be very careful: They mark the pieces and cause cracks and cracks if they are used with force to hit the pieces, which become evident when the tile is resined. The ideal is to use a white hammer or if it is black, protect it with a cloth.
If the parts are marked during installation, use a damp Scotch Brite sponge with neutral soap. We also recommend using your closed fist to hit the pieces during laying, especially on walls;
If you sprinkle mortar on the tiles during installation, use a damp sponge with water to prevent the mortar from penetrating the tiles. If necessary, use a damp scotch brite sponge with neutral soap.
Hydraulic tiles are extremely porous when not resined. If you cannot resin them, they must be covered with smooth plastic and put bubble wrap and cardboard on top of the plastic. Before covering, wait 02 (two) days for the mortar to dry completely. Do not place the cardboard directly on the tiled floor as the ink from the cardboard can stain them if the cardboard gets wet. Do not use newspaper to cover the tiles. Do not cover tiles if they are wet or damp.
Before resining, make sure the parts are clean, dry and free of dust. For cleaning, use a fur broom or wash with water and neutral soap. If the floor is washed, wait 72 hours to apply the first coat of resin, as the moisture absorbed by the tiles must evaporate.
To apply the resin, use a short-haired wool roller or an epoxy roller. Other rollers release lint that sticks to the resin, in addition to not promoting the correct distribution of the resin on the tile. Always pass the roller in the same direction (back and forth), never crosswise.
02 coats are required with an interval of 8 hours each.
After 8 hours of the first coat, you can grout the tiles with grout powder, (make a paste with grout powder the same way you prepare conventional grouts and apply it between the tiles).
After applying the grout to at least 1 m2 of area, start cleaning the excess grout on the parts with a clean sponge or damp cloth, always starting with the parts that were initially grouted.
Wait 6 to 8 hours after applying the grout to apply the second coat of resin.
After the second coat of resin, wait 8 hours before stepping on the tiles. If you need to cover them, wait at least 72 hours, covering them with smooth plastic and cardboard on top.
Furniture can be placed in the environment after 72 hours. Do not drag furniture and appliances directly onto the tiled floor without placing cloths underneath – (we advise furniture that we usually move around in the room, tables, chairs, etc. to put protective felt on their feet to avoid scratches in the resin.
For maintenance, it is recommended to apply colorless liquid wax with a squeegee and damp cloth once a week as maintenance for other floors or when the floor starts to lose its shine. The wax preserves and protects the resin when applied regularly.
The tiles must be washed with water and neutral soap. Do not use bleach, alcohol, stone cleaner, muriatic acid or any other chemical product.
In the case of using tiles inside a bathroom, we recommend treating it with paste wax instead of resin on the floor of the shower, as over the years and with the daily use of the shower with chemical products (shampoo, conditioner , soap), these products can weaken the resin. The use of wax in this case is every 3 months.
In the case of tiles installed in high-traffic areas (shops, public places, restaurants, etc.), more intense maintenance is recommended on the floor, given the greater exposure and circulation on the floor in relation to residential areas:
Wash the floor with a mop and broom with water and neutral soap once a week and clean it at least once a month with a broom with a White disc for light cleaning.
Application of Auto Tráfego wax once a month after applying the waxing machine, as this wax protects the resin, preventing shoe brands (high heels, sneakers, rubber soles) from sticking to the resin, facilitating their removal.
Remember: hydraulic tiles are handmade, manufactured one by one and should not be compared to industrialized coatings. It's the minimal imperfections of the handmade production process or nuances in the colors, mainly among the smooth pieces - these characteristics - that make it different from other coatings and give the hydraulic tile its charm and value.
