Mapei Ultracolor Plus Coloured Grout Terracotta 143

Product Information

After cleaning the pH level of the floor will be alkaline so its best to neutralise this by giving the floor an acid rinse using Grout Cleanup. Using this product has other benefits to, ie.: Claybrook Handmade Terracottatilesare produced from natural materials and clays, so will vary in tone, surface texture and size. The nature of the handmade production can mean that pitting and uneven edges are normal and part of the product’s character.

Once the floor has been cleaned and dried apply Tile Doctor Seal & Go sealer with a paint-pad applicator and tray. Spanish or Mexican terracotta tiles are very porous and may require up to 8 or 9 coats of sealant, always allow to dry before applying the next coat. FRENCH, ITALIANOR SPANISH (semi hand-made) For stubborn areas of heavy build-up of dirt or sealer we would recommend following up with NanoTech HBU (please ensure the tile is wetted before applying).

Once the grout has been applied and the floor is completely dry, then apply one final coat of Ironwax Satin/Gloss across the entire surface including the grout to provide the floor with a good level of protection. After 12 hours the floor can be walked on as normal. As above, the sealer can be applied to the tiles before they are laid, or at least 12 hours before grouting the tiles. Ensure you shake the bottle well and apply the product in accordance with the instructions on the bottle. Remember if using a roller, brush or cloth they must be appropriately washed out with white spirit and then disposed of carefully. Do not leave them exposed to direct sunlight, as if linseed is allowed to dry on a roller, brush or cloth, it can become self-combustible.

Once a good seal is achieved leave the sealer to cure for a minimum of 12 hours to cure, before applying the Ironwax Satin/Gloss. A solution of Grout Clean-up diluted with 3 parts water will ease the problem temporarily, but you will find in most cases the efflorescence will repeat itself until all the salt crystals have evaporated on the surface, and this can take several weeks in some instances. In worst case scenarios Tile Doctor has developed a new product calledAcid Gel to combat efflorescence issues which is applied neat. Recommended Products for Terracotta After placing the tile on the adhesive, they can use their hands or a rubber hammer to level the tile surface. To cut the tiles, ideally they should use a water-cooled tile cutter, or if skilled enough they could use an angle grinder type cutter with the appropriate blade (i.e. unslotted and continuous). The suggested grout joint between the Handmade Terracotta tiles can vary from 5-8mm due to size tolerance and edge finish. On the Reclaimed Terracotta, these tiles feature an even higher size variation and will require a grout joint between 5-10mm to allow for this. Once you have let the grout set, you can buff the tiles using a microfiber cloth. This helps to remove any grout haze from the faces of the tiles. Step 8: Seal the grout Once the floor has been cleaned and dried apply Tile Doctor Seal & Go sealer with a paint-pad applicator and tray. terracotta tiles typically require between 6 and 8 coats of sealant, always allow to dry before applying the next coat. Maintenance CleaningBefore grouting, you must clean the grout joints, as always. But be extra careful with pavers, because one slip with the razor knife can lead to a deep scratch and a tile that must be replaced 1. All paver tiles must be sealed before grouting 2. The sealer prevents the grout color from moving into the faces of the pavers and slows down moisture absorption from the grout. Make sure the tile sealer is dry before going on to the next step.

After treatement the solution should be rinsed off with water and removed with a wet vacuum. The floor should then be left to fully dry before applying a sealer. Sealing Terracotta Tiles The most important factor in achieving a good finish is to use a tiler with proven experience of laying and sealing terracotta tiles, as the wrong application of adhesive, sealers, grout and finishing products can ruin these beautiful tiles, costing you time and money.In more recent times the opening up of travel to warmer climes in the 70’s piqued our interest in the material. No self-respecting conservatory extension of the 80’s seemed complete without a floor of Spanish terracotta. Both types of grout ideally require tile surface temperatures of at least 10 degrees Celsius and no more than 40 degrees Celsius. Clean the faces of the tiles without disturbing the grout joints. Clean as well as you can so that final cleanup will be minimal. Grouting is especially important for areas with outdoor tiles. This is because there is a lot more exposure to the outside environment.

These tiles are generally made in a factory with some artizan involvement however the quality of the kiln is far better than Mexican and so are easier toclean, to seal and to maintain; naturally thisresults ina higher productioncost. The other type of grout available for outdoor use is brush in grout. There are two different application methods for brush in grout: The first step is to clean between the tiles using a utility knife to remove any thin-set mortar left on the tile from outdoor tile installations. Step 2: Mix your grout First of all, before we get into either type of grout, it is important to note that both must be rated for outdoor use. If you use grout that is not suitable for the outdoors, it will not last and may damage the tiles. Cement-based groutThese floors continually breathe and with our sealants, this is not a problem and in effect rather simple as the same process as detailed above can be followed. Once grouting is complete, both types will need around 72 hours to start curing and up to a week to be fully cured. Sealers will break down after 2-3 years (depending on usage and cleaning products used) so for regular cleaning use a sealer friendly cleaning product such as Neutral Tile Cleaner which has been especially formulated for the regular cleaning of Sealed Stone and Tile surfaces keeping them fresh with a pleasant lemon scent. Efflorescence The best sealant we find for Terracotta is a topical sealer called Seal and Go that generally leaves a satin finish that coats the tiles to stop dirt and grime penetrating into the clay. An impregnating sealer (that generally leaves a matt finish) does not work particularly well with a soft clay such as Mexican Terracotta due to the high porosity of the clay. Tile Doctor recommends that Terracotta in particular requires a regular top up of sealer in high traffic areas once or twice a year. MEXICAN (hand-made)