SPECIFICATION
This specification
covers the installation of large format
tile and stone with the Tuscan Leveling
System®.
NOTE TO SPECIFIER
Tiles, mortars,
and grouts do not provide a completely
waterproof barrier. Detail and specify
LATICRETE®
Hydro
Ban™
in all
wet areas and over existing,
non-structural, hairline cracks (≤ 1/8”
or 3mm) in the substrate. A LATICRETE
"System" approach to installation is
covered by a comprehensive 25 year
warranty (Reference LATICRETE DS
025.0).
MATERIALS
Tiles: [Insert
tile or stone name] as manufactured by
[Insert tile mfr. / supplier name and
contact info]
NOTE:
Edit material list below based on
project specific requirements
Thick Bed Mortar:
LATICRETE 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed
Sound and Crack Adhesive: LATICRETE 125
Sound & Crack Adhesive.
Sound and Crack Isolation Mat:
LATICRETE 170 Sound & Crack
Isolation Mat.
Waterproofing/Crack Suppression
Membrane: LATICRETE Hydro Ban
Latex Portland Cement Adhesive Mortar:
LATICRETE 4-XLT [for medium bed
applications ≤ 3/4” (18 mm)].
Latex Portland Cement Grout: LATICRETE
PermaColor™
Grout
[For joint widths 1/16” to ½” (1.5 mm
to 12 mm)] or
LATICRETE 1600 Unsanded Grout mixed
with LATICRETE 1776 Grout Enhancer (For
joint widths ≤ 1/8” or 3mm).
Stain Resistant Epoxy Grout (For
residential and light commercial
applications): LATICRETE
SpectraLOCK®
PRO
Grout. Industrial Epoxy Grout (For all
commercial and institutional kitchen
areas and areas exposed to harsh
cleaning chemicals or bacterial
attack): LATICRETE SpectraLOCK 2000 IG.
100% Silicone Caulk: LATICRETE
Latasil™
Tile and stone
installation materials to be supplied
by LATICRETE International, Inc.;
Bethany, CT; USA
Telephone: 1 (203) 393-0010; Fax: 1
(203) 393-1684; E-mail:
technicalservices@laticrete.com;
Website:
www.laticrete.com.
PREPARATIONS
Prior to
commencing the installation, the
contractor should examine substrates
and notify the General Contractor and
Architect of any existing conditions or
surface contamination which will
require correction before the work
commences. Before starting, substrates
must be cleaned to remove curing
compounds, sealers, soil, mortar, dirt,
dust, etc. Curing compounds or sealers
must be removed by bead-blasting, grit
/ sand blasting, hydro blasting,
diamond wheel grinder with dustless
vacuum attachment, or equivalent
methods of mechanical scarifying. After
removal of the curing compounds and
sealers, all rough, uneven or
"out-of-plumb" surfaces must be made
"plumb and true" to within 1/4" in 10’
(6 mm in 3 m) and 1/16” in 1’ (1.5 mm
300 mm) using LATICRETE 3701 Fortified
Mortar Bed. Dry or dusty concrete or
masonry surfaces must be water washed
and excess water removed just prior to
the application of LATICRETE
underlayments, membranes and mortars.
EXPANSION AND CONTROL JOINTS
Existing joints in
subsurface must be carried through the
tile and stone work and must conform to
architectural details. Expansion joints
must be installed where tile and stone
abuts restraining surfaces, such as
perimeter walls, curbs, columns,
corners, etc. Expansion joints must be
installed at all "changes of plane" in
the tile and stone work. Refer to Tile
Council of North America (TCNA) Detail
EJ-171 (Current Year) for industry
recommendations
INSTALLATION OF WATERPROOFING AND CRACK
SUPPRESSION MEMBRANE
Install
waterproofing membrane in all wet areas
before tile or stone is installed.
Install crack suppression membrane over
all hairline cracks (≤ 1/8” or 3mm) in
surfaces prior to installing tile and
stone. Membranes are to be installed in
strict accordance with the LATICRETE
written installation instructions.
MIXING
Mix according to
LATICRETE printed product instructions
included with each product
package.
INSTALLATION OF TILE AND STONE USING
THE TUSCAN LEVELING
SYSTEM®
Large module tile
and stone shall be installed with the
Tuscan Leveling
System®
to
provide a plumb, level and true surface
with minimal to no lippage. The Tuscan
Leveling System straps will achieve a
1/32” (.25 mm) grout joint. For wider
joints, use the Tuscan Leveling System
with most common tile and stone
spacers.
Before
using the straps for the first time,
you must soak them in hot water for 30
minutes, or warm water for 2-3 hours,
or room temperature overnight.
Soaking is one
time only.Insert corner or side spacers
of the desired width, up to 1/2
in (12 mm). To
facilitate a speedy installation,
pre-assemble the straps and caps needed
for the days work, leaving 1-1/2” to 2”
(37 mm to 50 mm) between the bottom of
the caps and the strap bottom plate.
Insert pre-assembled caps and straps
under the tile or stone edge, sliding
the straps base plate under the tile or
stone being installed, at least 2 per
side, at about 2” to 3” (50 mm to 75
mm) from the corners (more for larger
or more flexible tiles). The
recommended spacing of each strap is 6”
to10” (150 mm to 250 mm) apart.
Important note: When inserting the
strap under the side of the tile or
stone, DO NOT place them at the tile or
stone corners. Inserting the cap and
strap on the corners will prevent an
accurate installation, and could crack
or break the corners of the tiles or
stones when removed. It will also be
very hard to keep the grout joint line
straight. Once the pre-assembled cap
and strap is in place the tile
installation may
begin.Always
back-butter each large format tile or
stone just before installation.
Next,
apply the latex Portland cement mortar
to the substrate with scraping motion,
using the flat side of the notched
trowel. Work the mortar into good
contact with the substrate. Using the
notched side of the trowel, comb the
mortar in one direction. Use a trowel
with notches large enough to ensure
full coverage and support of the tiles
or stones. Firmly press the tiles or
stones into the fresh mortar and move
them perpendicularly across the ridges
to flatten and compress the ridges.
This helps to produce maximum coverage
to the backs of the tiles or stones and
leave the corners and edges fully
supported. Do not apply more mortar
than can be covered within 10-15
minutes, or while the mortar is still
wet and tacky. Periodically, remove and
check tiles or stones to verify full
mortar coverage is being achieved.
After the insertion of the caps and
straps on the side of the tiles or
stones, install the other tiles or
stones that fit against the first
tiles. After that is done, tighten the
straps and caps with the installation
tool (manual or ergonomic) until tile
is level with adjoining tiles. Repeat
this process and upon setting the next
tile or stone into place, make sure
grout joints are clean and free of
mortar by using a cut off stiff
paintbrush or a stiff nylon bristle
brush. This will remove any excess
mortar that may have oozed up in the
joints. This is easily accomplished by
wiping the mortar 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
mortar from hardening between the
touching point of the strap and the
tile or stone edge to ensure a clean
break of the strap.
If the installation is not completed
the first day: Be sure to remove
from the last row of tiles or stones, a
small amount of the mortar, thus
creating a hollow spot under the tile,
large enough to allow for the insertion
of the strap base, for the following
day. On the following
day, begin by making sure the hollow
spots from the previous day are filled
with latex Portland cement mortar. Use
a margin trowel to ‘pack’ mortar
underneath the tile or stone. Insert
the straps and caps and start the
installation again, following the same
process as before. Allow the
installation to cure for 24 hours at
70° F (21° C), prior to grouting.
Excess mortar must be cleaned from tile
and stone surfaces with a clean, wet
cloth or sponge, while it is still
fresh.To
tighten the cap and settle the tile or
stone: Instructions
for using the Ergonomic Installation
Tool 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 and stones.
(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.Instructions
for using the Manual Installation
Tool: Place the manual
installation tool on the strap to lock
the cap into place. Squeeze the
installation tool handle until the
desired tension is obtained, creating a
lippage free
surface.To
break strap after mortar set:
After
setting material has properly cured,
remove the straps and caps by snapping
the strap off at its breaking point.
With the ergonomic
tool, set the installation tool lever
to HVY, then turn smaller fine adjust
red knob to highest setting #8.
With
the manual tool squeeze the
installation tool handle until the
strap breaks off.
CAUTION: Breaking the
strap: Some installers have reported
that after the mortar has set they find
it quicker to kick, or knock the caps
off with a rubber mallet, in the
direction of the grout joint so they
quickly break away. However, in doing
this, one must use caution to avoid
scratching the tile! We do not
recommend kicking or using a rubber
mallet, as you may cause the metal
tongue in the cap to loosen or come
out, rendering the cap
useless.
GROUTINGJoints must be
packed full and free of all voids and
pits. Excess grout must be cleaned from
the surface of the tile or stone as the
work progresses, while the grout is
fresh and before it hardens. The day
after installation cement grout film or
haze must be removed using a neutral pH
detergent and water solution. Epoxy
grout haze should be removed the same
day as indicated in the printed product
instructions. No acids should be used
for cleaning tile or stone work.
PROTECTIONThe contractor
must take precautions to protect the
finished work from damage by other
trades. Do not allow construction
traffic on fresh grout joints. Builder
must provide up to 3/4” (18 mm) thick
plywood or OSB protection board, over
non-staining kraft paper, to protect
floors after installation until the
materials have cured. Allow the cement
grout to cure for a minimum of 7 days
at 70° F (21° C) before aggressive
cleaning. NOTE:
Steam cleaning
LATICRETE®
SpectraLOCK®
PRO
Grout is not
recommended.
COLD WEATHER NOTE The curing of
installation materials is retarded by
low temperatures and finished work
should be protected for an extended
period of time. Typically, for every
18º F below 70º F (10ºC below 21ºC),
installation materials take twice as
long to cure.
WET AREA NOTE When using
LATICRETE latex and polymer fortified
cement grouts, allow tile and stone
work in wet areas, such as swimming
pools, fountains, and steam rooms to
cure for 14 days at 70° F (21° C)
before exposing to water immersion and
putting steam rooms in service. When
using LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Grout
for these types of applications, allow
tile and stone work to cure for a
minimum of 10 days at 70° F (21° C)
before exposing to water immersion and
putting steam rooms in service.
LATICRETE
Technical Services provides review of
job specifications and plans, project
detail planning and review, and
provides answers to questions
concerning the installation of ceramic
tile, brick, marble and stone. Call
toll free USA +1 (203) 393-0010. Fax:
USA +1 (203) 393-1684. Email:
technicalservices@laticrete.com,
Internet:
www.laticrete.com.
To obtain a copy of detailed product
information, most recent revisions of
LATICRETE data sheets, and answers to
installation questions, E-mail:
technicalservices@laticrete.com
or
call (800) 243-4788 x.235.
© 2010 LATICRETE INTERNATIONAL, Inc.
The rights to copy, distribute, and
utilize for commercial purposes is
specifically granted to Stone and Tile
Importers and manufacturers,
Architects, Engineers, and
Specifications Writers.
R June 9, 2010
One LATICRETE Park North
Bethany, CT 06524-3423
+1.203.393.0010
www.laticrete.com