What advantages does a tiled finish offer?
A particular plus point for all types of tiled finish is hygiene. They are easy to clean and offer no possibility of germs spreading. Bacteria, fungal spores and other pathogens cannot nest. The antistatic properties allow allergy sufferers to breathe again because dust and mites are easy to remove. Above all ceramic is environmentally friendly and of ecological value. They are neutral in odour and taste, do not give off vapours and don't unintentionally absorb materials from the environment. And because as a rule tiles have a long life, the environment scores again. Tiles are the ideal floor covering for energy saving underfloor heating because the warmth from the heating can easily reach the stone or ceramic floor.
How is it possible to determine whether a substrate is suitable for ceramic tiles?
The assessment and preparation of the substrate is an essential component of the technical performance. According to the VOB the contractor is committed to professionally assess the substrate. Inadequately prepared substrates are often the reason for damage in the installed tiled finish. With a technically correct substrate preparation, the optimum adhesive bond with the tiled finish is produced. The following steps belong to a complete substrate assessment:
1. Visual inspection
2. Evaluation of the flatness. The acceptable tolerances are described in DIN 18202 "Tolerances in building construction". The evaluation is carried out with a straightedge and a slip gauge.
3. Wipe assessment: By wiping with the hand flat to the surface, contamination (e.g. dust) can be determined.
4. Tap test: By tapping - e.g. with a blunt hammer - voids and hollow areas can be recognised due to a change in sound.
5. Wettability test: By applying water - e.g. with a brush - the absorption of the substrate can be assessed. The water must be taken up by the substrate within a short time period. If this is not the case, this can be indicative of high moisture, separating agent residues, cement laitance or similar.
6. Hammer blow test: This evaluation serves to determine thinner, harder layers found over soft zones. The hard crust on the surface of the substrate breaks up in pieces during the test.
7. Grid scratch test: By scratching the surface of the substrate in a diamond pattern using the 'Grid scratch' equipment, the surface condition (layers, hardness etc.) can be appraised. At the intersections where the surface has been scratched in a grid there may not be any simultaneous defects / delamination.
8. Moisture measurement: Moisture measurement is a test to determine the readiness of a substrate. The maximum moisture content, when measured with a carbide hygrometer (CM device), for the installation of tiles must amount to 2.0% for cement-based screeds (unbonded or floating) and 0.5% for calcium sulphate screeds (unheated) and 0.3% heated. Electronic moisture measuring devices may give a non-destructive measurement but the accuracy cannot however be taken for granted. If needs be they do offer guide values.
What is meant by substrate preparation?
In order to remove adhesion inhibiting and non-stable layers such as e.g. dust, dirt, weak skins, laitance, paints, smoothing mortars etc, mechanical methods are suitable such as e.g. sweeping, sand-blasting, shot-blasting, high pressure water jetting, planing, scabbling etc. Existing cracks in the substrate must be sealed with an epoxy resin before installing tiles. If movement within the cracked area of a floating screed cannot be eliminated, then this must be brought through to the surface of the tiling as a movement joint. If this is not possible due to the way the crack runs, the crack is to be sealed with a reaction resin and a joint, matching the tile grid, cut alongside within the screed.
What is a primer needed for?
In order to control the absorption of highly absorbent substrates and also improve the bond to non-absorbent substrates, primers based on dispersions or epoxy resins - dependent on the type of application and installation system - are applied.
Is it necessary to waterproof beneath tiles in wet duty areas?
Tiled finishes will, as far as the limitations of the grout are concerned, allow water to penetrate so that they require waterproofing in wet duty areas in order to protect the substrate from moisture. Dependent on the wet duty classification the appropriate system must be used.
When can tiles be laid on a newly installed cement-based screed?
Firstly a moisture measurement must be carried out. The CM moisture content may not exceed 2.0 CM% for unbonded or floating screeds. Heated screeds must be commissioned beforehand. With bonded cement-based screeds moisture measurements are not necessary. To fix the tiles, thin bed adhesives such as e.g. AK7P, SOLOFLEX, LIGHTLEX etc. can be used. By using the highly flexible adhesives UNIFIX-S3/UNIFIX-2K tiles can be laid on green cement-based screeds as soon as they will take foot traffic. With green screeds the incomplete curing process and the consequentially lower resultant strength is to be allowed for. No heavy loads may be placed on the substrate. Laitance layers must be removed before installing tiles. Fixing tiles to green screeds is to be appraised as a special construction and agreed with the client.
What must I allow for when tiling a calcium sulfate screed?
Calcium sulfate flow screeds must be abraded, vacuumed and as with all substrates with calcium sufate binders, primed with e.g. ASO-Unigrund. Heated screeds must be commissioned to recognised technical regulations before installing the floor finish. In order to determine a substrate's readiness to receive finishes, moisture measurements must be carried out with a carbide hygrometer (CM device) - [calcium sufate screeds without underfloor heating 0.5 CM%, calcium sulfate screeds with underfloor heating 0.3 CM%]. Suitable adhesives are e.g. MONOFLEX-FB-SE, LIGHTFLEX, SOLOFLEX.
Is there a suitable tile adhesive to fix tiles to a calcium sulfate screed with high residual moisture?
Calcium sulfate flow screeds must be abraded, vacuumed and primed with ASO-Unigrund. The moisture content of a calcium sulfate based screed must be determined with a CM device (carbide hygrometer) before installing tiles. If ceramic tiles or slabs are to be laid on calcium sulfate based screeds with higher moisture levels than given in current regulations, levels of max 1.5% for unheated and 1.0% for heated constructions can be accepted. The flooring to be laid in this case must have a minimum joint content of 2% (tile 40/40, 4 mm joint), with vapour permeable tiles the joint content can be lower. Suitable tile adhesive: UNIFIX-AEK.
The installation of tiles on substrates not yet ready to receive finishes is to be evaluated as a special construction and agreed with the client.
What needs to be done to poured asphalt screeds in order to be able to lay tiles?
In order to lay tiles onto a poured asphalt screed, it must have a minimum quality of AS-IC 10 and a minimum thickness of 25 mm. There must be a 10-15 mm wide movement joint in the poured asphalt screed against interuptions in the floor, that must be carried through to the final floor finish. If the poured asphalt is newly installed, ensure that it is fully blinded with quartz sand. If this is not the case then before waterproofing and tile installation, prime the substrate with an epoxy resin such as ASODUR-GBM and broadcast with 0.2 - 0.7 mm quartz sand whilst the resin is still fresh. Suitable tile adhesives: UNIFIX-S3-FAST, LIGHTFLEX, MONOFLEX-FB-SE.
How can tiles be laid on chipboard and floorboards?
Wooden substrates must be clean and load-bearing. Chipboard must be interlocked, screw fixed and glued. Damaged timber / timber board substrates are to be replaced, loose boards professionally fixed (e.g. screws etc.). Close joints between boards with TAGOMASTIC. Ensure there is a minimum 5 mm gap around the boards where they meet interuptions / walls by inserting the self-adhesive edging strip RD-SK50.
An especially rapid and waterr-free solution for levelling substrates is offered by the epoxy resin screed ASODUR-LE. Suitable tile adhesives: UNIFIX-S3-FAST, LIGHTFLEX, MONOFLEX-FB-SE.
Another alternative is offered with the thermally insulating impact sound deadening and de-coupling board STEPBOARD in 9 or 15 mm. Here the wooden substrate can be pre-smoothed with the wooden floor smoothing compound HSM-11. Once the levelling compound is dry, install the de-coupling board with an appropriate tile adhesive e.g. MONOFLEX-FB-SE. Stagger the boards i.e. avoid cruciform joints. The tiles can be laid on the fixed STEPBOARD with MONOFLEX-SB-FE or LIGHTFLEX.
Which requirements must an old tiled finish fulfill and what preparation must be met in order to be able to lay tiles on an old existing tiled floor?
The previous tiled floor must be sound and load-bearing, loose areas are to be removed and to be evened out with an MGIII cement mortar. The substrate must be cleaned and all adhesion inhibiting residues such as e.g. lime, grease, dirt etc. must be removed. Cracks in the substrate are to be resin sealed with a reacion resin (ASODUR-K900). Mechanically abrading the old tiled floor increases the bond of the primer or contact coat. ASO-UNIGRUND is a special rapid adhesion promoting primer for absorbent and non-absorbent substrates. Apply ASO-UNIGRUND neat to the prepared old tiled floor with a lambs wool roller in a criss-cross technique. Once the primer is dry, tiles can be laid with the tile adhesives LIGHTFLEX, SOLOFLEX or AK7P.
There are adhesive residues on an existing cement-based screed, What do I need to do in order to lay tiles?
Water soluble paint or adhesive residues must be removed. Gloss or oil-based paints must be abraded as necessary. Eliminate or prevent rising damp from the substrate. Prime the cleaned surface with the rapid drying, quartz filled dispersion based primer ASO-UNIGRUND-S. Tiles can then be installed once the primer has dried with LIGHTFLEX, SOLOFLEX-FAST, MONOFLEX-FB-SE.
What systems does SCHOMBURG offer for the installation of tiles externally on balconies and terraces? What must be taken into account?
The choice of a suitable system is very important for the secure installation of stone and ceramic on balconies and terraces. Temperature changes which occur lead to stresses within the construction layers due to the different expansion rates of the installed materials. These must be constantly compensated for, so that there are no failures within the construction layers. Furthermore the edge length of the bays are to be restricted to 2 - 5 m dependent on the severity of the temperature demands. The bays should be kept as square as possible and have an aspect ratio of up to 1:2. Falls of 2% must exist or be constucted.
SCHOMBURG offers a selection of two systems:
System 1: Waterproof with AQUAFIN-2K or AQUAFIN-2K/M and carry out the tile installation with the highly flexible, two component tile adhesive UNIFIX-S3.
System 2: Waterproof with ADF-Balkonfolie and install tiles with ADF-Systemkleber or ADF-Systemkleber-FB.
A cement-based screed must be levelled before tiling - what do you recommend?
If cement-based screeds need to be levelled then the fluid smoothing compound SOLOPLAN-30 can be used. This is used at a thickness from 3 - 30 mm to smooth, patch and level. For thicknesses ≤ 20 mm, prime concrete and cement-based screeds with ASO-Unigrund-GE. For thicknesses > 20 mm prime substrates with ASODUR-GBM and blind with 0.5 - 1.0 mm quartz sand. Perimeter, bay, structural joints and movement joints are to be carried through or inserted into the planned locations and stopped with a suitable medium e.g. edge insulation strip RD-SK50. At thicknesses ≤ 20 mm SOLOPAN-30 can be tiled after 16 hours.
Existing uneven areas in a calcium sulfate screed need to be levelled - what is the procedure?
Calcium sulfate screeds must be abraded, vacuumed and primed with ASO-Unigrund. Edge, bay, structural joints and movement joints are to be carried through or inserted into the planned locations and stopped with a suitable medium e.g. edge insulation strip RD-SK50. A suitable levelling compound is ASO-NM15. ASO-NM15 can be installed at a thickness from 2 mm - 30 mm.
An uneven poured asphalt screed must be levelled. Which levelling compound is suitable?
If the poured asphalt is a newly installed screed, ensure that it has been fully blinded with quartz sand. If this is not the case then, prior to levelling, the substrate must be primed with an epoxy resin such as ASODUR-GBM broadcast with 0.2 - 0.7 mm quartz sand whilst the resin is still fresh. For asphalt screeds with a hardness class of IC10 it is possible to level up to a maximum of 10 mm with the levelling compound ASO-NM15. There must be a movement joint of 10 - 15 mm between the asphalt screed and all rising constructions, e.g. walls / interuptions, which must be carried through in the floor finish.
A particular plus point for all types of tiled finish is hygiene. They are easy to clean and offer no possibility of germs spreading. Bacteria, fungal spores and other pathogens cannot nest. The antistatic properties allow allergy sufferers to breathe again because dust and mites are easy to remove. Above all ceramic is environmentally friendly and of ecological value. They are neutral in odour and taste, do not give off vapours and don't unintentionally absorb materials from the environment. And because as a rule tiles have a long life, the environment scores again. Tiles are the ideal floor covering for energy saving underfloor heating because the warmth from the heating can easily reach the stone or ceramic floor.
How is it possible to determine whether a substrate is suitable for ceramic tiles?
The assessment and preparation of the substrate is an essential component of the technical performance. According to the VOB the contractor is committed to professionally assess the substrate. Inadequately prepared substrates are often the reason for damage in the installed tiled finish. With a technically correct substrate preparation, the optimum adhesive bond with the tiled finish is produced. The following steps belong to a complete substrate assessment:
1. Visual inspection
2. Evaluation of the flatness. The acceptable tolerances are described in DIN 18202 "Tolerances in building construction". The evaluation is carried out with a straightedge and a slip gauge.
3. Wipe assessment: By wiping with the hand flat to the surface, contamination (e.g. dust) can be determined.
4. Tap test: By tapping - e.g. with a blunt hammer - voids and hollow areas can be recognised due to a change in sound.
5. Wettability test: By applying water - e.g. with a brush - the absorption of the substrate can be assessed. The water must be taken up by the substrate within a short time period. If this is not the case, this can be indicative of high moisture, separating agent residues, cement laitance or similar.
6. Hammer blow test: This evaluation serves to determine thinner, harder layers found over soft zones. The hard crust on the surface of the substrate breaks up in pieces during the test.
7. Grid scratch test: By scratching the surface of the substrate in a diamond pattern using the 'Grid scratch' equipment, the surface condition (layers, hardness etc.) can be appraised. At the intersections where the surface has been scratched in a grid there may not be any simultaneous defects / delamination.
8. Moisture measurement: Moisture measurement is a test to determine the readiness of a substrate. The maximum moisture content, when measured with a carbide hygrometer (CM device), for the installation of tiles must amount to 2.0% for cement-based screeds (unbonded or floating) and 0.5% for calcium sulphate screeds (unheated) and 0.3% heated. Electronic moisture measuring devices may give a non-destructive measurement but the accuracy cannot however be taken for granted. If needs be they do offer guide values.
What is meant by substrate preparation?
In order to remove adhesion inhibiting and non-stable layers such as e.g. dust, dirt, weak skins, laitance, paints, smoothing mortars etc, mechanical methods are suitable such as e.g. sweeping, sand-blasting, shot-blasting, high pressure water jetting, planing, scabbling etc. Existing cracks in the substrate must be sealed with an epoxy resin before installing tiles. If movement within the cracked area of a floating screed cannot be eliminated, then this must be brought through to the surface of the tiling as a movement joint. If this is not possible due to the way the crack runs, the crack is to be sealed with a reaction resin and a joint, matching the tile grid, cut alongside within the screed.
What is a primer needed for?
In order to control the absorption of highly absorbent substrates and also improve the bond to non-absorbent substrates, primers based on dispersions or epoxy resins - dependent on the type of application and installation system - are applied.
Is it necessary to waterproof beneath tiles in wet duty areas?
Tiled finishes will, as far as the limitations of the grout are concerned, allow water to penetrate so that they require waterproofing in wet duty areas in order to protect the substrate from moisture. Dependent on the wet duty classification the appropriate system must be used.
When can tiles be laid on a newly installed cement-based screed?
Firstly a moisture measurement must be carried out. The CM moisture content may not exceed 2.0 CM% for unbonded or floating screeds. Heated screeds must be commissioned beforehand. With bonded cement-based screeds moisture measurements are not necessary. To fix the tiles, thin bed adhesives such as e.g. AK7P, SOLOFLEX, LIGHTLEX etc. can be used. By using the highly flexible adhesives UNIFIX-S3/UNIFIX-2K tiles can be laid on green cement-based screeds as soon as they will take foot traffic. With green screeds the incomplete curing process and the consequentially lower resultant strength is to be allowed for. No heavy loads may be placed on the substrate. Laitance layers must be removed before installing tiles. Fixing tiles to green screeds is to be appraised as a special construction and agreed with the client.
What must I allow for when tiling a calcium sulfate screed?
Calcium sulfate flow screeds must be abraded, vacuumed and as with all substrates with calcium sufate binders, primed with e.g. ASO-Unigrund. Heated screeds must be commissioned to recognised technical regulations before installing the floor finish. In order to determine a substrate's readiness to receive finishes, moisture measurements must be carried out with a carbide hygrometer (CM device) - [calcium sufate screeds without underfloor heating 0.5 CM%, calcium sulfate screeds with underfloor heating 0.3 CM%]. Suitable adhesives are e.g. MONOFLEX-FB-SE, LIGHTFLEX, SOLOFLEX.
Is there a suitable tile adhesive to fix tiles to a calcium sulfate screed with high residual moisture?
Calcium sulfate flow screeds must be abraded, vacuumed and primed with ASO-Unigrund. The moisture content of a calcium sulfate based screed must be determined with a CM device (carbide hygrometer) before installing tiles. If ceramic tiles or slabs are to be laid on calcium sulfate based screeds with higher moisture levels than given in current regulations, levels of max 1.5% for unheated and 1.0% for heated constructions can be accepted. The flooring to be laid in this case must have a minimum joint content of 2% (tile 40/40, 4 mm joint), with vapour permeable tiles the joint content can be lower. Suitable tile adhesive: UNIFIX-AEK.
The installation of tiles on substrates not yet ready to receive finishes is to be evaluated as a special construction and agreed with the client.
What needs to be done to poured asphalt screeds in order to be able to lay tiles?
In order to lay tiles onto a poured asphalt screed, it must have a minimum quality of AS-IC 10 and a minimum thickness of 25 mm. There must be a 10-15 mm wide movement joint in the poured asphalt screed against interuptions in the floor, that must be carried through to the final floor finish. If the poured asphalt is newly installed, ensure that it is fully blinded with quartz sand. If this is not the case then before waterproofing and tile installation, prime the substrate with an epoxy resin such as ASODUR-GBM and broadcast with 0.2 - 0.7 mm quartz sand whilst the resin is still fresh. Suitable tile adhesives: UNIFIX-S3-FAST, LIGHTFLEX, MONOFLEX-FB-SE.
How can tiles be laid on chipboard and floorboards?
Wooden substrates must be clean and load-bearing. Chipboard must be interlocked, screw fixed and glued. Damaged timber / timber board substrates are to be replaced, loose boards professionally fixed (e.g. screws etc.). Close joints between boards with TAGOMASTIC. Ensure there is a minimum 5 mm gap around the boards where they meet interuptions / walls by inserting the self-adhesive edging strip RD-SK50.
An especially rapid and waterr-free solution for levelling substrates is offered by the epoxy resin screed ASODUR-LE. Suitable tile adhesives: UNIFIX-S3-FAST, LIGHTFLEX, MONOFLEX-FB-SE.
Another alternative is offered with the thermally insulating impact sound deadening and de-coupling board STEPBOARD in 9 or 15 mm. Here the wooden substrate can be pre-smoothed with the wooden floor smoothing compound HSM-11. Once the levelling compound is dry, install the de-coupling board with an appropriate tile adhesive e.g. MONOFLEX-FB-SE. Stagger the boards i.e. avoid cruciform joints. The tiles can be laid on the fixed STEPBOARD with MONOFLEX-SB-FE or LIGHTFLEX.
Which requirements must an old tiled finish fulfill and what preparation must be met in order to be able to lay tiles on an old existing tiled floor?
The previous tiled floor must be sound and load-bearing, loose areas are to be removed and to be evened out with an MGIII cement mortar. The substrate must be cleaned and all adhesion inhibiting residues such as e.g. lime, grease, dirt etc. must be removed. Cracks in the substrate are to be resin sealed with a reacion resin (ASODUR-K900). Mechanically abrading the old tiled floor increases the bond of the primer or contact coat. ASO-UNIGRUND is a special rapid adhesion promoting primer for absorbent and non-absorbent substrates. Apply ASO-UNIGRUND neat to the prepared old tiled floor with a lambs wool roller in a criss-cross technique. Once the primer is dry, tiles can be laid with the tile adhesives LIGHTFLEX, SOLOFLEX or AK7P.
There are adhesive residues on an existing cement-based screed, What do I need to do in order to lay tiles?
Water soluble paint or adhesive residues must be removed. Gloss or oil-based paints must be abraded as necessary. Eliminate or prevent rising damp from the substrate. Prime the cleaned surface with the rapid drying, quartz filled dispersion based primer ASO-UNIGRUND-S. Tiles can then be installed once the primer has dried with LIGHTFLEX, SOLOFLEX-FAST, MONOFLEX-FB-SE.
What systems does SCHOMBURG offer for the installation of tiles externally on balconies and terraces? What must be taken into account?
The choice of a suitable system is very important for the secure installation of stone and ceramic on balconies and terraces. Temperature changes which occur lead to stresses within the construction layers due to the different expansion rates of the installed materials. These must be constantly compensated for, so that there are no failures within the construction layers. Furthermore the edge length of the bays are to be restricted to 2 - 5 m dependent on the severity of the temperature demands. The bays should be kept as square as possible and have an aspect ratio of up to 1:2. Falls of 2% must exist or be constucted.
SCHOMBURG offers a selection of two systems:
System 1: Waterproof with AQUAFIN-2K or AQUAFIN-2K/M and carry out the tile installation with the highly flexible, two component tile adhesive UNIFIX-S3.
System 2: Waterproof with ADF-Balkonfolie and install tiles with ADF-Systemkleber or ADF-Systemkleber-FB.
A cement-based screed must be levelled before tiling - what do you recommend?
If cement-based screeds need to be levelled then the fluid smoothing compound SOLOPLAN-30 can be used. This is used at a thickness from 3 - 30 mm to smooth, patch and level. For thicknesses ≤ 20 mm, prime concrete and cement-based screeds with ASO-Unigrund-GE. For thicknesses > 20 mm prime substrates with ASODUR-GBM and blind with 0.5 - 1.0 mm quartz sand. Perimeter, bay, structural joints and movement joints are to be carried through or inserted into the planned locations and stopped with a suitable medium e.g. edge insulation strip RD-SK50. At thicknesses ≤ 20 mm SOLOPAN-30 can be tiled after 16 hours.
Existing uneven areas in a calcium sulfate screed need to be levelled - what is the procedure?
Calcium sulfate screeds must be abraded, vacuumed and primed with ASO-Unigrund. Edge, bay, structural joints and movement joints are to be carried through or inserted into the planned locations and stopped with a suitable medium e.g. edge insulation strip RD-SK50. A suitable levelling compound is ASO-NM15. ASO-NM15 can be installed at a thickness from 2 mm - 30 mm.
An uneven poured asphalt screed must be levelled. Which levelling compound is suitable?
If the poured asphalt is a newly installed screed, ensure that it has been fully blinded with quartz sand. If this is not the case then, prior to levelling, the substrate must be primed with an epoxy resin such as ASODUR-GBM broadcast with 0.2 - 0.7 mm quartz sand whilst the resin is still fresh. For asphalt screeds with a hardness class of IC10 it is possible to level up to a maximum of 10 mm with the levelling compound ASO-NM15. There must be a movement joint of 10 - 15 mm between the asphalt screed and all rising constructions, e.g. walls / interuptions, which must be carried through in the floor finish.
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