Laticrete Installation System

This specification covers installation of  Marble and Glass Mosaic Tile work in Interior & exterior areas on Floors, Walls & Ceilings including Swimming Pools, Fountains, Showers and Facades. The mosaic you have purchased is assembled by front mounting a clear Mylar film that has been coated with a special adhesive, formulated for stone. Since the stones used in mosaic are often of different thickness, the application of this clear Mylar film on the face (side visible after installation) of the mosaic allows for a flat uniform surface once the pieces are installed and the Mylar is removed. It is NOT advisable to set our products using a tile mastic adhesive as the clear Mylar film prevents the drying of the mastic. Petroleum based adhesives may stain the stone. DO NOT ALLOW THE CLEAR MYLAR MOUNTED MOSAIC TO GET WET. THIS WILL CAUSE THE MOSAIC PIECES TO FALL OFF THE CLEAR MYLAR. Note to Specifier: Marble and Glass Mosaic tiles and tile installation adhesives and grouting mortars do not constitute a waterproof barrier. Detail and specify Laticrete 9235 thin, load bearing waterproof membrane in all wet areas (also provides anti-fracture protection). Detail and specify Laticrete Blue 92 Anti-Fracture / Crack Suppression membrane over existing hairline cracks in subsurface or in areas where you want future protection. Laticrete latex thin set adhesive mortars may be used to install tiles over "green" or fresh concrete, screed, plaster & render surfaces. A Laticrete "System" approach to installation is covered by a comprehensive 5 year warrantee if these products and proper methods are used.

MATERIALS: All tile, where called for, shall be: Materials for setting & grouting tile shall be Laticrete 4237 Latex Thin Set Additive mixed with Laticrete sanded or unsanded grout (unsanded grout for joints no larger than 1/8" wide). Color to be selected from Laticrete Grout color chart. Anti-Fracture / Waterproof membrane shall be Laticrete 9235 waterproof membrane. All waterproofing, anti-fracture, tile installation and grouting materials shall be as supplied by Laticrete International, Bethany, CT USA. Telephone: 1 (800) 243-4788 or (203) 393-0010, Fax: (203) 393-1684. Web Page: www.laticrete.com. E-mail: support@laticrete.com.

PREPARATION: Prior to commencing the installation, the contractor shall examine the areas to be covered and advise the General Contractor and Architect of any existing conditions or surface contamination that will require correction before the work commences. Before starting, surface to be covered shall be cleaned to remove curing compounds, sealers, soil, mortar, etc. Curing compounds or sealers shall be removed by "bead-blasting," grit / sand blasting or mechanical "scarifying." After removal of the curing compounds or sealers, all rough, uneven or "out-of-plumb" surfaces shall be made "plumb & true" to within 1/8" in 10' using a Laticrete 3701 / 226 patch/leveling / topping mortar. Dry or dusty concrete or masonry surfaces shall be wet down or washed and excess water removed just prior to the application of the leveling mortar, render, screed or Marble Mosaic Tile adhesive. Maximum deflection in substrate is L/360.

EXPANSION AND CONTROL JOINTS per TCA EJ171-2K: Existing joints in subsurface must be carried through tile work and shall conform to architectural details. Expansion joints shall be installed where tile abuts restraining surfaces, such as perimeter walls, curbs, columns, corners, etc. Expansion joints shall be installed at all "changes of plane" in the tile work.
INSTALLATION OF WATERPROOF MEMBRANE / ANTI-FRACTURE MEMBRANE: Waterproof membrane is installed before tile is installed in all wet areas. Anti-Fracture membrane is installed before tile is installed over all hairline cracks or other surfaces to receive new tile work that need protection.

INSTALLATION OF TILE BY THE THIN BED METHOD: Mix products according to printed product instructions included with each product package. Mix only long enough to wet out the batch. Do not over-mix. The LATICRETE adhesive shall be prepared by mixing Laticrete 4237 Latex Admix with Laticrete sanded grout, color to be selected from Laticrete color grout chart, and shall be applied to the surface to be tiled with a notched trowel using a scraping motion to work the adhesive into good contact with the surface to be covered. A trowel having "V" notches approximately 3/16" x 3/16" is recommended. By examining the backside (setting side) of the Mylar mounted mosaic sheets, you can determine if a deeper notched trowel is necessary due to larger than 1/8" differences in thickness of the mosaic pieces. DO NOT TROWEL THE ADHESIVE ONTO THE BACKSIDE OF THE MOSAIC TILE SHEETS as the setting adhesive may get in-between the mosaic pieces thereby preventing the mosaic sheet from laying flat for proper installation. Use a damp sponge to wipe the back of the mosaic sheets just prior to setting in order to remove any dirt or dust. Only as much Adhesive shall be applied as can be covered within 10 minutes, or while the adhesive surface is still wet and tacky. Tile shall then be set in place and rapped or beaten gently with a grouting float to insure 100% full bedding and a true surface. DO NOT SLIDE the mosaic sheet into place, as this will cause a larger joint between the sheets of mosaic. Tile shall be aligned to show uniform joints and then allowed to set until cured. The Mylar face of the sheets of front mounted mosaic tiles shall be removed after tiles have had adequate time to set completely in the thinset, no less than 24 hours. Premature attempts to remove the Mylar may result in pulling up of mosaic pieces. Any mosaic pieces that may come up with the Mylar should be reinstalled immediately into their original location using Laticrete 4237 Latex Admix with Laticrete sanded grout in the same color as the grout.

GROUTING AND POINTING JOINTS: Touch up grouting of the tile work can be accomplished once the installation mortar has completely cured and the face-mounted sheets of Mylar have been removed. Joints shall be grouted with Laticrete Grout color to be the same as used for setting, fortified with Laticrete 1776 Grout Admix Plus. Joints shall be packed full and free of all voids and pits. Excess grout shall be cleaned from the surface as the work progresses, while grout is fresh and before it hardens. The day after installation grout film or haze shall be removed using a detergent solution. No acids should be used for cleaning polished marble mosaic tile work. NOTE: Due to the high quality of workmanship in our mosaics, use of unsanded grout is highly recommended.

PROTECTION: Do not allow construction traffic on fresh grout joints. Allow the grout to cure for a minimum of 7 days before aggressive use or steam cleaning. Cold Weather Note: Low temperatures retard the curing of tile installation mortars adhesives & grouts and finished work should be protected for an extended period of time. Wet Area Note: Allow tile work in wet areas such as swimming pools, fountains & showers to cure for 10 days before exposing to immersion or flood testing.

LATICRETE Technical Services: Call toll free USA 1 (800) 243-4788,  USA +1 (203) 393-0010. Fax: USA 1 (203) 393-1684

 (c) 1990 LATICRETE INTERNATIONAL, INC. The right to copy, distribute, and utilize for commercial purposes is specifically granted to Stone & Tile Importers and manufacturers, Architects, Engineers, and Specifications writers. File: "Company" USA project specifications.doc Version: 1.0 Prepared by: Donato Pompo Date: Thursday, November 9, 2000