Page 14 - Tiling Guide September 2023

12
9 GENERAL FIXING TECHNIQUES
For best practice, tiling should be carried out in accordance with BS 5385, the British Standard for wall and floor tiling.
• Adhesives should be spread evenly with a suitable notched trowel.
• Dot and Dab is not an acceptable method of fixing tiles on either walls or floors.
• Tiles should be positioned on the adhesive bed within the adhesive open time.
• Hold the spreading trowel at an angle of greater than 45 degrees. Tiles should be gently pressed into the adhesive bed with a slight twisting action to achieve sufficient contact.
• It is important to trowel out the adhesive ribs in one (straight) direction, which helps to prevent air becoming trapped between the tiles.
• In exterior locations, internal wet areas or floors, 100% adhesive coverage of the tile should be achieved with no voids.
• Ready mixed adhesives should only
be used on walls and where thin bed application is appropriate (i.e. max bed depth = 3mm). Ready mixed adhesive is not suitable for fixing porcelain tiles.
• Where limited movement or vibration is expected, a suitable deformable adhesive should be used. Consult the adhesive manufacturer for guidance.
• Tiles larger than 0.1m2 to be fixed above 3m from floor level should be secured by mechanical fixings.
• It is advisable to use tile spacers, however they should always be removed prior to grouting.
• There is currently no British Standard covering the use of levelling clips.