01 Aug Execution of joints on high-traffic, large surface areas and floors
High-traffic floors (shopping malls, airports, industrial flooring, workshops, etc.) are places subjected to specific physical and chemical external factors:
- Static loads (shelves).
- Dynamic loads (cars, forklifts, etc.).
- Continuous collisions, wear and abrasion.
- Maintenance and cleaning with aggressive substances.
Preliminary analysis
Due to these specific external factors, we must meet certain needs by taking series of measures, such as:
- Use of natural ceramic or stone with the adequate resistance.
- Use of deformable adhesives that will absorb all the possible movements to which these floors are subjected.
- Resistant adhesives, capable of bearing all static and dynamic loads.
- Therefore, we will use fine tile-to-tile joints with a width of 1-3 mm when the jointing of waterproof tiles is required, or wide tile-to-tile joints with a width of 3-15 mm, colored, deformable, for indoor or outdoor use and on residential or industrial flooring or cladding.
Technical considerations
The following must be taken into account for correct joint design:
- Leave at least 2mm joint spacing between tiles.
- Respect and treat structural joints with an elastic putty.
- Execute perimeter movement joints in corners, and changes in plane, height or material and fill them with elastic mastics.
- Execute expansion joints between door cavities and fill with elastic putties.
- Execute intermediate movement or partition joints that constitute maximum surface areas of 50 m2 indoors, 25 m2 outdoors and 16 m2 with dark colors on exterior surfaces.
All expansion joints should be filled with elastic mastics such as G#color Elastic-MS
Prior to jointing, check that the ceramic tiles have been properly laid and that the tiles are perfectly anchored to the substrate.
When jointing, observe the waiting time indicated on the Technical Data Sheet of the adhesive used, as possible rising water or damp may form salt deposits on the surface of the tile-to-tile joint or changes in color, spoiling the desired aesthetic effect.
In order to avoid differences in the shade of the color, joints should be clean of dust, friable parts and adhesive residue. They should be of uniform depth –equal at least to 2/3 of the total thickness of the coating– thus avoiding drying differences caused by different thicknesses and, consequently, obtaining different colours throughout the joint.
Mix the product with clean water, being careful not to add too much water, as it would cause a reduction in mechanical resistance and/or aesthetic problems on the joint surface.
Perform the final cleaning using a damp sponge, not wet, to avoid dripping water from causing changes in the desired color.
After 24 hours, re-hydrate with a damp sponge to ensure the proper hydration and hardening of the cement and that the color is even.
Recommended products
Joint mortars
Flexible mastic
Warnings: The data provided by this Constructive Solution were prepared based on standard onsite installation processes. However, we recommend that you consult our Technical Department in the event of any specific circumstance info@gecol.com