Technical Resource Guide_WEB_BEL25-D-516650 - Page 26 of 84

26 | belgard ® product installation guide | belgard.com | 877-235-4273 CLEANING & MAINTENANCE FOR PORCELAIN PRODUCTS Post-laying cleaning is obligatory after on-site work. Inadequate or late removal of the grouting used on the flooring joints can leave marks difficult to remove and create a cement film able to absorb all types of dirt, thus giving the impression that it is the material that has become dirty. It is indispensable to dissolve and remove these residues completely using buffered acids diluted in water (follow the instructions on the packs of the products used), which must then be removed completely and quickly, rinsing the floor with plenty of water to avoid residues or drops on the floor which could damage the tiles. Allow the product to act on the wet floor, without letting it dry and rubbing it with colorless rags. Next, rinse it thoroughly with water to ensure that the floor is free of detergent residues. If necessary, repeat the operation. We suggest performing a preliminary wash on a sample surface of a few square meters. If the test is successful, extend clearing over the entire surface. When you have done the above wash, carry out a basic or alkaline wash using degreasing detergents. This is because acid can leave grease on the floor, which could contribute to retaining dirt. Porcelain Paver Installation Each of the following option details will include specific information relative to the selected installation. Base thicknesses vary between different geographical and climatic locations, and the contractor will be installing typical base thicknesses for paving installations in their location. Installing porcelain pavers requires the bedding course sand to be pre-compacted and then struck off with a screed to the required thickness as shown in the detail drawings. The porcelain pavers are not compacted, and therefore, the sand layer beneath them requires pre-compaction. Do not compact dry sand, but insure the sand has a 5 to 6% moisture content so that it will compact cohesively and allow for a smooth strike off finish. INSTALLATION INFORMATION THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED: • NEVER compact porcelain pavers with a plate compactor. • ALWAYS pre-compact and strike off your sand leveling course before installing your porcelain pavers in sand set installations. • Porcelain pavers should only be wet cut with a tile saw equipped with a wet cut porcelain blade. • NEVER install porcelain pavers without the required 4 mm spacing between them. The porcelain pavers should never be installed with a porcelain to porcelain contact. Plastic 4 mm spacers (shown at right) should be used on Sand Set and Permeable installations. The photo on the left illustrates the spacer installed in a perspective to support and space 4 paver corners and the photo on the right illustrates the installed spacer snapped apart (as designed) to form Space T that supports 2 paver corners. This versatility will permit your porcelain pavers to be installed in a stack bond pattern, a running bond patterns, as well as a flush installation against another structure. • For a 100 sq. ft. project, approximately 34 spacers are needed; this allows for overages if needed. 4 mm spacers