a good quality penetrating sealer.
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| Recommended tools for installation. | Apply thinnest with a trowel. | Place tiles on the thinnest. Get tiles close together. | Lightly tap down the tile make sure not to sink tile. | Seal the tiles with a good quality penetrating sealer. |
Apply a sanded grout on 2" x 2" sections until covered. | 30 min after grout dries remove excess grout. | Sponge off the grout until the desired look is reached. |
Installation of these tiles is similar to any other natural stone product for best results; we recommend a qualified tradesperson who is experienced in the laying of natural stone product.
Sort tiles before installing to ensure an even color layout for a vertical or contoured surface, smaller pebble sizes should be considered as well as a polymer based adhesive with a short hydration period, i.e.: glue setting time Substrates - Area of application should be flat hard surface e.g. (Cement), clean, dry and free of contaminants.
For wet areas the use of reinforced waterproof membranes is suggested. In the case of flooring a fall to the drainage point of no less than two inches in required.
Use only a high quality thin mortar e.g. (Cetox H) From CME. For other types the manufacturer’s literature will outline if it is appropriate for indoors or outdoors as well as for floors and walls.
It is important that each pebble is embedded in adhesive; however they should not be pressed deeply into the adhesive. Select a product suitable for application with a trowel and apply no more than three square feet of adhesive at a time.
Use only a high quality thin mortar e.g. (Cetox H) From CME. For other types the manufacturer’s literature will outline if it is appropriate for indoors or outdoors as well as for floors and walls.
It is important that each pebble is embedded in adhesive; however they should not be pressed deeply into the adhesive. Select a product suitable for application with a trowel and apply no more than three square feet of adhesive at a time.
It is recommended that the stones be sealed before and after grouting. For the best results use a good quality penetrating sealer e.g. (Jotun). These types of penetrating sealers ordinarily do not change or alter the color of the pebbles. In order to enhance the color of the stones to a deeper matte or glossy finish it is suggested you use natural stone color enhancer or natural stone color and shine enhancer prior to applying the penetrating sealer.
A sanded grout that is suitable for external or internal conditions which ever may be the case is recommended e.g. (Ceto Fill) from CME.
Generally grouts are a water mix but where some flexibility may be needed then a latex additive or similar should be used in the water it is important to wait the interval recommended by the adhesive manufacturer before grouting to minimize dirt ingress between the pebble and avoid the opportunity for dislodging of pebbles grout a small area at a time. When grout has dried, use a stiff bristled brush to scrub excess grout.
After removing most of the grout with a brush use a grout sponge to continue removing grout until the desired finish is achieved.
Joints can be easily formed with two angles, sealant and bond-breaker between them designers may show points at which joints are needed and they are certainly required where tiles join walls or some other building material in the substrate a tile saw may be used to fit edges or corners you can also flip the tile over and cut the desired edge or shape with a sharp cutting instrument OR take individual pebbles off the mesh to fill the gaps ordering extra sheets of tile may be useful for this.
To maintain ease of maintenance of natural stone it is recommended that sealants be applied every 2-3 years. Whenever using sealants and cleaners, ensure you follow the manufacturers recommended method of application. The pebbles can be cleaned with neutral mild detergents.
The porosity or water absorption in pebbles (natural stone) varies, and therefore staining will occur in different degrees if the stone is unsealed consequently, any spills should be cleaned quickly to lessen the degree of the stain and sealers are highly recommended.