TILE INSTALLATION

- Important Instructions -

by MM-Mosaic

Get Preparation

Check the installation surface cautiously and make sure it is clean and even as laying tiles on a surface that is stained and lumpy will cause trouble and affect the tiling result.

Different surface can require different installation preparation. For newly-built surface, it is a  satisfactory base to accept the mosaic tiles as it is new. For existing surface where the structure or the texture may be unqualified to be tiled on, it is suggested adding a backerboard or a repainting layer to serve as the eligible base for tile installation. 

What’s more, inspect all the mosaic tile sheets before startup.

How to Install?

1.Skim

This step is to ensure the surface ready for a proper tiling. Check the surface and make certain it is flat, smooth and dust-free. It is usually common to add a layer of intermediate material to make the surface qualified enough to receive the mosaic tile. And be noticed let the layer of intermediate material dry for no less than 12 hours if required.

2. Make Measurement

Measure the surface in which the tile is going to be laid on to find the most suitable placement for your tile. It is suggested to use a straight edge and other necessary tools to make the tile level. If it is a mosaic sheet with back-mesh, using a grid tool that has the same size of the nine sheets of the tile is the best choice. And remember to leave space for gap between tile and tile.

3. Put on intermediate material

Stir evenly the intermediate material.

First layer: use a trowel to put the material on the part that is smaller than grid site. Don’t make the material sitting too much and leave some space.

Second layer: form even rims in the intermediate material by pushing and shaping the material with the nicked cutting of the trowel.  

4. Lay the tile

On the front facade of the tile, it is usually taped with a transparent covering so than you can see the tile design while you are in the whole installing process.

Wipe the back of the tile with cement or other adhesive material, with the covered front face out. 

Press around the surface by using a float tool to adhere the mosaic tile sheet tightly on the sticky material. Be careful the space between each sheet of tile should be the same with the gap between each chip, which is commonly combined with mesh on the back.

5. Reinforce the mosaic sheet

It is important to make sure tiles and the setting material have a secure bond and leave no air between the two layers. To make the final look of the tiling surface is consistent and rigid in thickness, using the float tool press around the surface to stick the mosaic tiles firmly.

6. Adjust the gap

This is a vital step to achieve a professional tile installation though it may cost a lot of time and need considerate patience. Carefully and slowly move the uneven tiles and keep the combing surface in the same height and spacing between each sheet or each tile the same width. All the moves are suggested being done while material is not solidified yet.  

7. Grout the tile

It is important to ensure the mosaic sheet is clean and tape-removed before grout wiping. Expand grout from bottom to top diagonally by using a small trowel. After wiping the first layer, then mop or roll the grout in the opposite direction. All grouting work done you should take care of the cleaning work too. Remove excess grout from the gaps of the mosaic chips with a knife and clean up all the debris and dirt.

8. Clean the surface

It is strongly recommended cleaning the finished surface within half an hour or no longer than one hour after grouting as the excess grout that carelessly stained on tile is hard to remove if it stays too long. A sponge and clean water can sufficiently clean up the dirt. Remember to wipe in a circular motion and pay closer attention to the gaps. Keep wiping until the surface is neat and clean. Cleaning ways are different based on the type of the grout. Consult the grout professionals or stick to the instruction brochure before all this take.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, CONTACT MM-MOSAIC.