Acigres is an extruded porcelain tile intended for pavements and finishes with high chemical and mechanical specifications. The tiles have been designed, manufactured and submitted to strict quality controls so that they fulfil this purpose. But for the resulting finish to be fully satisfactory and effective, the laying and sealing of the tiles must be carried out correctly according tothe following criteria.

PREPARATION OF THE SUPPORTING SURFACE

Tiles must not be placed in position until the mortar of the supporting surface or bed has finished setting in order to ensure that they will be placed in a stable arrangement.   Both walls and floors must be suitably prepared: dust and dirt must be removed, irregularities must be levelled out, surfaces exposed to corrosive chemical products and constant moisture must be made impermeable, slopes must be built up, etc.

PLACING THE TULES IN POSITION

The most suitable adhesive must be used in each case, depending on the supporting surface and operational requirements.
A traditional method can be used involving mortar made with cement and sand (in a proportion of approximately 1:5) for new installations, although it is becoming more and more common to use adhesive cements and specially prepared mortars suitable for each specific use.

ELASTIC AND EXPANSION JOINT

The use of expansion joints (either perimeter, longitudinal and transverse) recommended in the optional guidelines should be respected for all types of structure, flooring, wall cladding, etc., with a view to absorbing contractions, expansions, uneven positioning, torsion, temperature changes, etc.
By placing the tiles must match the flexible joints with the supporting floor joints.  
These joints must be sealed using material that is appropriate to the mechanical and chemical conditions to which the surface finish will be exposed.

JOINTS BETWEEN THE TILES AND THEIR SEALING

The tiles must be placed in position with joints approximately 5 mm. wide between them. We advise against having wider joints for this type of tile covering in order to ensure proper sealing and economize on material, which is relatively expensive for this type of application. We also advise against narrower joints, again in the interests of proper sealing and to compensate for the size and flatness tolerances that are inevitable with this type of material. The joints should be filled right to the top, so that they are on a level with the surface of the tiles, thus protecting the edges of the tiles against the passage of vehicles.
In the case of the food industry, which has demanding requirements in terms of hygiene, resistance to chemical products, physical resistance to the passage of vehicles and, very often, the permanent presence of water or moisture, it is necessary to use epoxy resin-based mortar containing two components. In the case of the chemical industry there may be uses which require a greater degree of resistance. Each case should be treated separately.
To start sealing the mortar used for fixing the tiles in place must have hardened completely. Joints should be clean and free of oils, fats, dust and moisture. The two components of the epoxy resin-based mortar must be thoroughly mixed together with the help of a driller with shaker for 2-3 minutes. Epoxy resin-based mortar may be applied using a rubber trowel or a doser-gun.

CLEANING

After sealing, the surface of the joint should be smoothed out and the remains of the mortar should be removed from the tiles with an absorbent cloth moistened in water that is as hot as possible. Rinse and change the water frequently in order to leave the tiles as clean as possible and totally remove the remains of the mortar.
After a period of approximately 24 hours, a thorough cleaning should be carried out with a mixture of one part of universal solvent for 4 parts of very hot water.
Mechanical means may be used, such as machines equipped with rotary brushes and a dosing tank containing the cleaning mixture.
Detergents that leave a superficial layer of wax or grease should not be used, since this makes it easier for dirt to adhere to the surfaces and can have a negative effect on the non-slip properties of the product.
Whether it be for special products, products for attaching the tiles (retouching and levelling out the supporting surface, adding adhesives or additives, priming, etc.,), or especially for the mortars for sealing joints, I.C. Brancós S.A., on the basis of many years' experience of close cooperation, recommends the products of the BASF company, without prejudice to other products of proven quality that are available on the market.