The Lippage-Free Tile System

Using the Tuscan Leveling System
Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I profit by using the Tuscan Leveling System?
A. In most cases, installation time is 2 to 3 times faster, which puts money in your pocket when the job is bid on a square foot basis. Additionally, as installer, you can usually pass on the cost of the Tuscan Leveling System to your client as part of the cost of the job.

Q. Can the caps be reused?
A. Installers report that they have reused the caps dozens of times (which greatly reduces the overall cost of installing).

Q. Does the Tuscan Leveling System help eliminate lippage?
A. Yes, the unique patented system virtually eliminates lippage.

Q. Does the Tuscan Leveling System eliminate grinding after instillation?
A. In most cases the Tuscan Leveling System virtually eliminates the need for grinding.

Q. Does my floor need to be level prior to installation?
A. For best results, it is advisable to follow standard professional practices for substrate leveling.

Q. How much faster is the tile leveling process using the Tuscan leveling System?
A. Responses from actual installers indicate that in large open spaces the installation can be three times as fast. In areas where there is significant cut up or fitting, to be done, they report it can be twice as fast.

Q. Will the Tuscan Leveling System work with small tile?
A. The Tuscan Leveling System is designed to work with tiles 12 inches or larger.

Q. Will the Tuscan Leveling System work on large format tile and slabs?
A. Yes, the system was created for large format, the Tuscan Leveling System is ideal for leveling these large form materials.

Q. Will the Tuscan Leveling System work on large very thin format tiles and slabs?
A. Yes, the trend worldwide is moving toward large format, the Tuscan Leveling System is ideal for leveling these large thin materials.

Q. Will the Tuscan leveling System work with ceramic tiles?
A. The Tuscan leveling System will work with ceramic, marble, onyx, granite, and most composites.

Q. How do I use the Ergo Plus (Italian) Installation Tool?
A. Set the black knob to level #1 to #4 to tighten and set the tile. (the higher the number, the bigger the tile, however, for most installs the tool will be set on #2 or #3.) To break strap after mortar has set: set the black knob to highest setting; S. ('S' for separate)

Q. How do I use the Ergonomic HellermannTyton Installation Tool?
A. Set the tool on STD, then turn the smaller red knob to level #1 to #5 to tighten and set tile (the higher the number the bigger the tile). To break strap after mortar has set: set tool on HVY, then turn red knob to highest setting #8.

Q. Why are there two different types of Installation Tools?
A. The Ergonomic Tools are primarily for the professional installer and the Manual Tool is primarily for the DIYers.

Q. Do I really need to use the Installation Tool to remove the caps after the mortar has set?
A. Some installers have reported that, after mortar has set, they find it easier to just kick the caps (or use a rubber mallet) in the direction of the grout line and they easily break away. However, we can't recommend this because, if using this option, one could scratch the tile! In addition, kicking the caps may loosen the metal tongue in the cap, rendering it useless.

Q. When using the Tuscan leveling System, can tiles be walked on while the adhesive is still wet?
A. There are so many variables in tile setting, that change with each particular instillation, we can’t recommend it.

Q. Can the Tuscan Leveling System be used on walls?
A. Yes. On walls the installation is easier using the manual tool.

Q. Why do you recommend soaking the straps in hot water prior to use?
A. The nylon composition of the strap needs to absorb sufficient moisture so it will stretch properly during installation. Straps should be soaked for one hour prior to use in hot (not boiling) water or for a minimum of four hours if room temperature water is used. Many installers find it most convenient to soak the straps overnight (in room temperature water) just prior to the job.

Q. Why make a strap that has to be soaked prior to use?
A.The proprietary blended nylon composition of the strap was engineered so when sufficiently moist, the strap stretches, then as the mortar is drying, the mortar pulls the moisture out of the strap, as a result the strap tightens slightly, assuring the tiles don't move. When the mortar is cured, it has pulled the moisture out of the strap, making the strap brittle so that the strap can snap off cleanly, at the breaking point which is the micro-holes at the base of the strap.

Q. Some of my straps broke prematurely.
A. If you experience straps breaking during the initial setting process, it is most likely the result of the strap not being soaked properly. (Please note: If you are using the straps in an extremely dry climate, you may need to re-soak the straps prior to use.)

Q. Can the straps be used if they are frozen?
A. No. Absolutely not!

Q. Will there be air pockets under tiles after using the Tuscan Leveling System?
A. No. We recommend that the installer 'back-butter' the tiles as part of the installation. The Tuscan Leveling System passed all fourteen steps of the Robinson Test, which proved there are no voids created using the system, as a result, the Tuscan Leveling System earned the highest commercial rating possible for ceramic tile.

Q. What is the learning curve using the Tuscan Leveling System?
A. Usually the learning curve is only an hour or two, not days.

Q. What are the professional installers saying about the Tuscan Leveling System?
A. Go to Testimonials

Q. Is the Tuscan Leveling System patented?
A. Tuscan Leveling, Inc is the owner or exclusive licensee of the following United States Patents: 7,621,100, 7,861,487, D630,077, D630,078, 7,954,300, D640,119, 8,011,164, and 8,079,199; and the following foreign patents: South African Patent No. 2007/07945, New Zealand Patent No.561612, Russian Patent No. 2405895, and Chinese Patent No. 200680009216.8. Other patents pending, both foreign and domestic.

Q. Where can I find a Tuscan Leveling System distributor?
A. The Tuscan Leveling System is distributed in many countries world wide. In North America and the Caribbean, our master distributor is Pearl Abrasive, to find the closest local North American distributor use this easy zip code search. Pearl Abrasive is in the process of continually setting up new North American distributors. Contact them to see if you qualify as a distributor. Tuscan Leveling System Master distributors in other Countries can be found on our World-wide distributor page.

Q. How can my company qualify to become a Tuscan Leveling System distributor?
A. Send a request, via our on-line new distributor request form and we’ll get back to you.