Have you ever considered cleaning a porcelain or ceramic tile before it’s installed? This small practice can make a real difference to the success of an installation and it’s especially important when fixing large format tiles. Lisa Breakspear, head of sales at Mapei UltraCare explains.
New tiles may appear relatively clean, if a little dusty, but any residue can cause potential problems. Kiln, grinding and manufacturing residue, packaging residue, ceramic dust and site debris can all create issues – and they can cause them on both sides of the tile.
Safe handling
The safe handling of tiles of any size is crucial, but as the format increases, so does the weight, value and the potential risks associated with installation.
Using specialist handling equipment allows large format tiles to be lifted and manoeuvred safely. However, for suction-based lifting systems to perform reliably, the front surface of the tile must be completely clean and free from dust or contamination. Any residue can compromise suction cup adhesion, increasing the risk of slippage or catastrophic failure during lifting and positioning.
Good adhesive bonding
Attention must also be given to the back of the tile. Removing dust and surface contaminants ensures the tile can fully bed into the adhesive, allowing maximum contact and bond strength. This is particularly important when installing large format tiles, where voids or incomplete coverage can lead to cracking, debonding or long-term installation failure. Poor coverage can also cause lippage and levelling issues, resulting in uneven edges and trip hazards.
Owing to the size and weight of large format tiles, a high-performance, deformable adhesive is essential. This type of adhesive accommodates minor substrate movement and thermal stresses, while maintaining bond integrity. Excellent back-buttering characteristics help eliminate voids behind the tile, while extended open time allows installers to accurately position large tiles without compromising adhesion.
Facilitating a good, fast clean
To remove contamination before moving and fixing large format porcelain and ceramic tiles, we recommend a specialist ready-to-use acid-based cleaner like our own UltraCare Keranet Easy. This will dissolve and safely remove any dirt, residue and contamination from the front and back of the tile, before handling and fixing, supporting secure lifting, optimal adhesive performance and a durable, long-lasting installation. Using a specialist, ready-to-use solution also ensures the liquid is correctly diluted, saving time and removing the need to rinse tiles after application. Always ensure you use an acid cleaner with a formulation based on a buffered or inorganic acid, rather than a muriatic or sulfuric acid which can cause toxic fumes and damage metal and galvanised surfaces. And, do not use an acidic solution on an acid sensitive natural stone. The same specialist cleaner used before installation can then be used after installation to remove dirt and grout residue, and to avoid picture framing.
