‘The following preparatory works are co be carried out to ensure proper tiling works: Surface preparation + Screeding / rendering if necessary = Setting out tiling Workers must be trained and competent for the job. Supervisors should ensure that the steps are properly carried out by workers, ‘The surfaces of the substrate should be level/plumb and. ‘rue to design specifications, or toa tolerance of 3 mm measured by a 2-m straight edge, When the surface evenness is not enough, seed or render should be applied. ‘The substrate should be sound and stable, and fiee from any loose substance (e.g. dust, debris or loosely bonded topping as shown in Figure 4-1) and deleterious substance (¢g, oil and grease) chat may reduce or inhibit adhesion of the next layer of material. Any strong acid or alkali on the surfaces should be neutralised prior to the application of the next layer of material. The surface should be cleaned with a broom and then washed using water jet (see Figure 4-1). The environmental conditions on site should be controlled in conformity with the national standards (e.g. Section 4.2 of SS CP 68). When necessary, temporaty shelter should be set up to protect the work from direct sunshine, rain and excessive heat.4.1.2. Different Substrates Table 4.1 shows derailed requirements on surface preparation for different substrates Table 4.1 Surface preparation for different substrates 1. Masonry surfaces 1. On-grade or below-grade substrate should be applied with an effective waterproofing membrane, such as bituminous-besed liquid membrane. Dona 2, Rendering required = Waterproofing works should be inspected before rendering 2, Reinforced concrete surfaces 1. Concrete cure far 28 days, = This time duration is necessary for the conerete to cure and to realise most of ite stvinkge 2. For floor ~The surface of the substrate Brush surface witha stif broom just before concrete should have a roughened begins to harden to form mechanical key. texture to form mechanical key to promote good adhesion Apply @ slurry coat of soreed/ rent = Slury coat should comp teement and polymer latex in mixing ratio of 1:1 By wight, Apply screed before this slury coat has lost tackness. Table 4.1 Continues on next page ® Preparatory Works 49, lis ia (SR ts SR sed Dd fee PG les edsony Aiojesedaig Table 4.1 (Continued) pn Sie 3, For wall Apply a splash coat. Splash coat should comprise cement, dry sand and polymer latex in mixing ratio of 1:11 by weight, ‘Tho protrusion thickness of spatter-dash should be about Caution should be taken in the formworktelaasing agent used, as many of them tend to act as a bond break It level satisfies the conditions specified, tes can be installed directly by using a suitable bedding material Otherwise, rendering roquted 3. High surfaces ision concrete block rendering requited. 1. If level eatisfes the level conditions snecified, only ‘suitable primer may be applied before tling. Otherwise, Fin doubt, manufacturer's recommendation should be sought to ensure the ‘compatibility ofthe render rx with the blocks. 4, Proprietary partion walls 1 substrate, fellowed, 4.2. LAYING OF SCREED / RENDER “To decermine the correct levels for the flooring to be Jaid, the setting of a common reference line (usually marked at the wall at Im) should be established. This is to prevent any mismatch in levels such as ceramic flooring to living room against parquet flooring to bedrooms (see Figure 4-2) Prior o application of cement-based materials, very dry and porous surface should be pre-wetted generously ‘with clean water (see Figure 4-2), and the excess water on the surface should be cleaned off such that the ac a saturated-surface-dry* (SSD) condition. Manufacturers of these boards should certify their suitability of uses. The boards should be installed in ‘vlet accordance with the manufacturers insteuetions, ‘especialy with spacing and gradi ‘supporting metal studs to ens foqurernents of the ‘the rigiaity of the 2. The boards may be coated with a suitable primer to ‘adjust moisture absorption before ting. The instruction ‘of the board manufacturers instruction should be stitly To achieve a good and consistent mortar mix, pre- packed mortar is preferred over the conventional cement and sand mortar mix. For wall, the frst coat of render should be applied in less than 15 mm, roughened by a wooden trowel to receive the next one, and allowed to dry for atleast 24 hours. Subsequent coats should be applied in the same manner “until the required thickness is achieved. The total thickness of the render should be limited by 30 mm; otherwise, sttips of non-oxidising ribbed metal lathing should be anchored onto the substrate prior to rendering * Surface saturated dry : The subsurface should be saturated swith water, but the surface self should be fie of liaering waterFor floor, the screed should be tamped down to remove any void and finished with a wooden float (see Figure 4.2), The screed mortar is preferred to be polymer latex fortified. For a screed thicker than 50 mm, a non- oxidising metal-mesh should be placed in the middle as reinforcement. Screed and render should be air cured for at least 7 days, Water mist spray with a hand pump (see Figure 4-2) in the first 2 days is a good quality-enhancing practice, After curing, a thorough check on the soundness in adhesion of the screed and render using a metal rod should be cartied out (see Figure 4-2). Cracks should also be properly rectified. The M&E contractor should identify the concealed services (especially gas pipes) in the wall by marking their locations on the surface of the render. This serves as a pre-cautionary measure to prevent any damages to the concealed services arising from subsequent installation, works,sylony Asojesedaig 4.3. SETTING OUT TILING Ic is important to set out tile Hines according to the approved tiling setting out drawings. Care should be taken to minimise the number of tiles that need to be ccut for satisfactory visual effect. Where tile cutting is necessary, the position of cut tiles should be planned and marked before laying tiles (see Figure 4-3). Cut tiles should be placed at les visible corners. Contractors need to work out in advance the methods to deal with interruptions to surfaces (such as openings) Setting out tile lines on screed Setting out tie lines with services Icis a good practice to allocate switches and power points atthe edge of tiles to minimise tiles cutting (see Figure 4-3) To avoid any unsightly visual impact, site supervisor should alert designer that changes in tile sizes made after completion of mock-up (where tile layout and pattern were already decided) would affect the desired positions of services such as switches and power poinss. Adjusting the originally planned tile layout would lead to difficulties in accommodating the positions of these Marking position of cut tiles before ting Allocating switches at edge of tiles Figure 4-3 Setting out tiling for floor