The Tuscan Leveling System is an innovative product that
will greatly assist most anyone in, the installation of
stone and ceramic tiles. It is designed to create a virtual
lippage free installation with stone and tiles. The system
interlocks the tiles, virtually creating a single flat slab
surface while the setting material is curing. The
interlocking design of the system reduces and in most cases
eliminates settling from shrinkage, as well as minimizing
the possibility of warping. The system reduces the need to
re-lift tiles to add more mud and/or the process of
shimming tiles; thus greatly increasing the speed of
installation, all the while creating that much desired
lippage free mirror surface. In addition, the caps are
reusable dozens of times.
Tuscan
Leveling System Installation Guidelines:
For best results, before using straps, the straps should be
soaked overnight (one time), or for an hour prior to use in
hot water. Soaking is one time only; regardless of how long
the straps are on hand. This increases the straps elastic
strength, giving them maximum tension needed for proper
installation.
The Tuscan Leveling System straps will achieve a 1/32-grout
joint, if you want a wider joint, you can use the Tuscan
Leveling System with most common spacers. Simply insert
corner or side spacers of the desired width, up to 3/8
inch.
Most installers find the Tuscan Leveling System works best
when the Thinset or mortar is a little looser, not as
stiff.
To facilitate a speedy instillation, pre-assemble the
straps and caps you will need for the days work, leaving 1
and 1/2 to 2 inches between the bottom of the caps and the
strap bottom plate.
Insert pre-assembled caps and straps under the tile edge,
sliding the straps base plate under the tile being
installed, at least 2 per tile side (more for larger
tiles). The recommended spacing of each strap is 6-8 inches
apart.
Important
note: when
inserting the caps and straps under the side of the
tile, DO NOT place them at the tile
corners.
Inserting them on
tile corners will prevent an accurate installation, and
could crack or break the corners of the tiles when removed,
also it will be very hard to keep the grout joint line
straight.
Once the pre-assembled cap and strap is in place, using
your fingers, slide the cap down on the strap making
contact with the tile. After the insertion of the caps and
straps on the side of the tiles, install the other
tiles that fit against the first tiles. After that is
done, tighten the straps and caps with the installation gun
(manual or ergonomic), make sure you always back-butter
each tile just before instillation.
Instructions
for using the ergonomic Installation
Tool
To tighten and set tile: Set tool lever to STD, then turn
the smaller fine adjust red knob to level #1-5
To increase tension rotate knob clockwise, use higher STD
number for setting bigger tiles. (The HVY setting is used
only for breaking the straps).
Place the installation tool, on the strap to lock the cap
into place. Pull the installation tool trigger until the
desired tension is obtained, creating a lippage free
surface.
Repeat this process, and upon setting the next tile into
place. Make sure you keep your grout joints clean of
Thinset by using a cut off stiff paintbrush or any stiff
nylon bristle brush that will remove any
excess setting material that may have oozed up in the
joints. This is easily accomplished by wiping the mud away
in the direction of the grout line. Always ensure that the
grout joint is clean and ready to grout. It is very
important to keep mud from hardening between the touching
point of the strap and the tiles edge to ensure a clean
brake of the strap.
If you have to quit for the day and you will be continuing
the installation the following day: make sure you remove
the Thinset or setting material under the last row of
installed tile, at about 3/4 to 1 inch with a margin trowel
or other removing device, by leaving a small hollow spot
for the following day to insert the base of the straps
under it.
On the following day, start again making sure you fill the
hollow spots from the previous day with a margin trowel and
‘pack’ the tile underneath with Thinset. Insert the straps
and caps and start your installation again, following the
same process as before.
To break
strap after mortar has set:
After setting material has properly cured, remove the
straps and caps by snapping the strap off at its breaking
point. Set the installation tool lever to HVY, then turn
smaller fine adjust red knob to highest setting #8.
CAUTION:
Breaking the strap:
Some installers have reported that, after mortar
has set, they find it faster to just kick the caps in the
direction of the grout joint
and they easily break away. However, in doing this, one
must use caution to
avoid scratching the tile! With kicking or using a rubber
mallet, you may cause
the metal tongue in the cap to loosen or come out,
rendering the cap useless.
Under normal
use, the caps can be reused dozens of times.
For other
technical questions please visit our FAQ section at:
http://tuscanleveling.com/FAQ/faq.html