Encaustic novice!!

[CCTiling]

Hi,
I have a potential job coming up using encaustic tiles, has anyone had any experience with these tiles and if so could I have some install advice, pre-sealing if necessary etc, as I've never dealt with this type of tile.
Thanks,
Ross

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Be careful grasshopper!
1) have very clean hands and even use surgical gloves.
2) check shades
3) make sure tiles are absolutely dry
3) dust with clean cloth/soft brush
4) impregnate/seal until no more accepted and leave NONE on face of tile.
5) use white fast set flexible adhesive
6) 2-3mm joint
7) fix
8) check grout colour on spare piece for staining
9) thoroughly clean
10)when dry - 48hrs minimum - seal again leaving NONE on surface
11)get paid.

Enjoy.

 

[CCTiling]

Thanks John!
So you would seal before fixing?

 

[Time's Ran Out]

100% yes - seal before you handle them if possible!
These tiles are neat cement and oil off your skin will discolour them.
Do NOT get them damp, wet, or marked by any means prior to sealing as they will show any imperfections once dry.
If you fix them without following my 1-10 it will be a disaster waiting to happen.
They are like Nottingham paper, if you use a sponge on them prior to sealing, although they may look dry, once you seal them it will dry differently where the sponge has been.
As I said - be careful Grasshopper ! ( that doesn't make me a Master, just one who has the 't' shirt.)
These are not the easiest materials to use and there are no shortcuts in time, so price it right.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Auto correct said Nottingham!
I said blotting paper!

 

[CCTiling]

Great thanks John! I really appreciate your advice and I'll make sure I'll take your 1-10 with me on the job!!! I'll print it off on an A1 sheet and stick it to the wall

 

[CCTiling]

Forgot to ask, do you seal the sides?

 

[Time's Ran Out]

You could do to stop any ingress through the side with grout . Usually find the cement 'topping' is about 1/2 the thickness of the tile.

 

[CCTiling]

Thank you!

 

[Spud]

You need to dip the backs in water for a few seconds to slow the suction down as you are fixing them dip then shake the water off then stick

 

[CCTiling]

Sounds like a fun job all in all!! Thanks Gary

 

[CCTiling]

Is it ok to use underfloor heating with this type of tile?

 

[Spud]

They are quite weak and it does take much stress to crack one , I would use Ditra if you are going to use UHF

 

[CCTiling]

Ok thanks Gary

 

[simplythebest]

The top coat of encaustics is powdered marble, highly sensitive as above.
Seal As you take them out of the box and seal them again after laying.
I would put a thin coat of wax before grouting just to help you, even then you still may need a cleaner over them after grouting before the final coats of wax.
enjoy!

 

[simplythebest]

Are they from Fired earth?
UFH is fine

 

[CCTiling]

Thanks for that simplythebest! So you would recommend wax as well as an impregnating sealer?

 

[CCTiling]

No, cementtiles.com

 

[simplythebest]

Definatley!
Filawax satin or matt depending on the finish.

 

[simplythebest]

Ah Cement tiles, havent laid their encaustics.
You can use an oil instead of wax such as polyx oil or boiled linseed/Turps Mix.

 

[CCTiling]

Ok, sounds like a similar job to a terracotta job I did recently then

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Wax before grouting! That's a new one for me.
Boiled linseed oil on encaustic tiles!
I must have missed something on the course I was on.

 

[CCTiling]

Rang LTP and they recommend Mattstone with iron wax if requiring a surface sealer too

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Always best to get the information from the horses mouth!

 

[m3fitter]

More Tips:
test a single tile with the sealing process, some of the deep colours ( Burgundy, Navy blue ) bleed into the background colour if sealer is applied too roughly, best advice is to test your tile with the whole process, I've found Lithofin products to be the best on these naughty tiles. I would suggest a good Daywork rate or £75.00 a metre minimum, as you will be coming and going with washing, sealing, sealing, waxing, grouting, washing etc.etc ( not in that order ! )
don't forget to cobblewax ( lithofin ) them at the end ( which is a process that these tiles will need twice a year, as traffic wax ! )

Lastly: thoroughly clean your wet cutter, use water very sparingly, just enough to cool the blade
Ps: They're a pain, allow enough time, and then add some more for good measure

 

[CCTiling]

Thanks ascot! Yes the job is a pain! Quote is sent off now but not sure I'll get it as quite expensive. What with Hardiebacker, heating, levelling, ditra and the tiling it's all got a bit much as it's just a 5m squared hall