Installation
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Guidelines for Installation of Pebble Mesh Tiles
Decorative pebbles and Pebble Mesh tiles can be used in an
extensive range of design applications, internally and externally.
Applications include foyers, bathrooms, fountains/water features,
pools, driveways, pathways, kitchens, feature walls, fire places and in
entertainment and barbecue areas.
SUBSTRATES
All substrates should be firmly fixed, flat, clean, dry and free of
contaminants. Deflections should be a maximum of 1/360 of the span
for walls and floors. Wet areas require special attention requiring
appropriate substrates, e.g. concrete, making sure to first apply water
to check for any puddles, if so, then those areas will require an acrylic
based self leveling compound before you start the tiling project.
Cement boards (compressed sheet), is required for plywood type sub-
floors. The use of reinforced waterproof membranes is suggested, in
the case of floors with a drainage point of not less than 2 inches.
WATERPROOF MEMBRANES
These prevent leakage of water through to sub-floor framing and or
habitable spaces below. Particular attention must be paid to carrying
the membrane up the wall at least 12” and should be installed before
installing the green rock (water resistant sheet rock), outside shower
boxes, installation of bond breakers and sealing around penetrations.
It is strongly recommended that membrane systems be used in all wet
areas, including exterior suspended decking. Some systems involve
the use of a primer.
ADHESIVE OR THINSET
The manufacturer’s literature will explain if the product is suitable for
interiors and or exteriors, as well as walls and floors. A cement-based
adhesive(thin set) is generally suitable on masonry substrates where
no movement is anticipated (i.e.,walls). Attention should be paid to
manufacturer’s literature when mixing the thin set with water. A thicker
mix is recommended for walls, so that there is greater adhesion once
you apply the pebble mesh to the surface. However, Where slight
movement could occur through thermal or pedestrian loads, a modified
cement adhesive should be used. Note: it is important that each
pebble is embedded in the adhesive. Note that for small areas, such
as kitchen or bath backsplashes, you might want to consider using a
ready mix acrylic based mastic adhesive. Select a suitable product for
application with a 1/4" or 1/8" notched trowel and apply to no more
than one square yard of adhesive at a time.
GROUTING
The grout should be suitable for joints up to 3/4" in width and designed
for external or internal conditions whichever may be the case. For any
grout joint of larger than 1/8" sanded grout is recommended.
Generally, grouts are a water mix but where some flexibility a latex
additive or similar should be used. It is important to wait the interval
recommended by the adhesive manufacturer before grouting to
minimize dirt ingress between the pebbles and avoid the opportunity
for dislodging of pebbles. Note: the recommended time is at least 24
hrs. Particular attention must be paid to that requirement when it is the
floor.
Note: Using the right tools for grouting pebble mesh is important. It is
highly recommended to purchase a sponge type float, Which can be
found in the cement tools section of your local hardware store. It is a
coarse (usually red) rubber float (9x4). Not only will this tool speed up
the grouting process, but it will also leave less excess grout to sponge
off.
In the event that one desires to better expose the pebbles, it is
suggested using a type of sponge with a dual surface (one side rough
the other side smooth) during the sponging off process, installer to
repeatedly remove the excess grout from the joints by the use of the
rough side of the sponge first. During this process, it is also
recommended that, if more pebble is desired, the installer should then
use a medium bristled brush and the soft side of the sponge by
repeatedly removing grout from the joints until the desired affect is
achived.
CURVED SURFACES
Pebble sheets can be easily fitted around a gently curved surface
such as a column.( Note: When approaching wall surfaces that have
inside or outside curves, It is recommended that the thin set mixture
and the grout included a latex additive. So plan the tiling process
wisely.) If the sheet is turned around a right angle, some pebbles will
need to be plucked off the mat where they are distorted at the corner
and replaced with smaller pebbles to maintain uniformity at this point.
SEALANTS & ENHANCERS
It is recommended to use an appropriate sealer before and after
grouting of the pebble tiles. For the best result a good quality
penetrating sealer should be used. These types of penetrating sealers
ordinarily do not change or alter the color of the stones.
In order to enhance the color of the pebble tiles, to a matt or glossy
finish, it is suggested to use a proper Enhancer product after the
grouting process is completed.
MAINTENANCE
To clean you can use a vinegar solution or a 10% hydrochloric acid
solution with water applied with a stiff bristled broom. A mild detergent
will work as well. Keep in mind the pebble stone is a porous product
and water absorption in pebbles will vary and some staining will occur
in different degrees if the stone is not sealed properly. Consequently,
any spills should be cleaned quickly to lessen the degree of the stain.
If using the acid process, please take every precaution and use the
product safely. After sponging off, rinse off excess acid with a bucket
or water or hose. To bring the pebbles to its full potential luster, we
recommend sealing according to above mentioned SEALANTS &
ENHANCERS section. Clear gloss or flat stone, non-yellowing
professional acrylic grade sealants are available. There are many
different products available on the market, however we recommend
contacting your nearest tile supplier for the most appropriate sealer for
your application.
Decorative pebbles and Pebble Mesh tiles can be used in an
extensive range of design applications, internally and externally.
Applications include foyers, bathrooms, fountains/water features,
pools, driveways, pathways, kitchens, feature walls, fire places and in
entertainment and barbecue areas.
SUBSTRATES
All substrates should be firmly fixed, flat, clean, dry and free of
contaminants. Deflections should be a maximum of 1/360 of the span
for walls and floors. Wet areas require special attention requiring
appropriate substrates, e.g. concrete, making sure to first apply water
to check for any puddles, if so, then those areas will require an acrylic
based self leveling compound before you start the tiling project.
Cement boards (compressed sheet), is required for plywood type sub-
floors. The use of reinforced waterproof membranes is suggested, in
the case of floors with a drainage point of not less than 2 inches.
WATERPROOF MEMBRANES
These prevent leakage of water through to sub-floor framing and or
habitable spaces below. Particular attention must be paid to carrying
the membrane up the wall at least 12” and should be installed before
installing the green rock (water resistant sheet rock), outside shower
boxes, installation of bond breakers and sealing around penetrations.
It is strongly recommended that membrane systems be used in all wet
areas, including exterior suspended decking. Some systems involve
the use of a primer.
ADHESIVE OR THINSET
The manufacturer’s literature will explain if the product is suitable for
interiors and or exteriors, as well as walls and floors. A cement-based
adhesive(thin set) is generally suitable on masonry substrates where
no movement is anticipated (i.e.,walls). Attention should be paid to
manufacturer’s literature when mixing the thin set with water. A thicker
mix is recommended for walls, so that there is greater adhesion once
you apply the pebble mesh to the surface. However, Where slight
movement could occur through thermal or pedestrian loads, a modified
cement adhesive should be used. Note: it is important that each
pebble is embedded in the adhesive. Note that for small areas, such
as kitchen or bath backsplashes, you might want to consider using a
ready mix acrylic based mastic adhesive. Select a suitable product for
application with a 1/4" or 1/8" notched trowel and apply to no more
than one square yard of adhesive at a time.
GROUTING
The grout should be suitable for joints up to 3/4" in width and designed
for external or internal conditions whichever may be the case. For any
grout joint of larger than 1/8" sanded grout is recommended.
Generally, grouts are a water mix but where some flexibility a latex
additive or similar should be used. It is important to wait the interval
recommended by the adhesive manufacturer before grouting to
minimize dirt ingress between the pebbles and avoid the opportunity
for dislodging of pebbles. Note: the recommended time is at least 24
hrs. Particular attention must be paid to that requirement when it is the
floor.
Note: Using the right tools for grouting pebble mesh is important. It is
highly recommended to purchase a sponge type float, Which can be
found in the cement tools section of your local hardware store. It is a
coarse (usually red) rubber float (9x4). Not only will this tool speed up
the grouting process, but it will also leave less excess grout to sponge
off.
In the event that one desires to better expose the pebbles, it is
suggested using a type of sponge with a dual surface (one side rough
the other side smooth) during the sponging off process, installer to
repeatedly remove the excess grout from the joints by the use of the
rough side of the sponge first. During this process, it is also
recommended that, if more pebble is desired, the installer should then
use a medium bristled brush and the soft side of the sponge by
repeatedly removing grout from the joints until the desired affect is
achived.
CURVED SURFACES
Pebble sheets can be easily fitted around a gently curved surface
such as a column.( Note: When approaching wall surfaces that have
inside or outside curves, It is recommended that the thin set mixture
and the grout included a latex additive. So plan the tiling process
wisely.) If the sheet is turned around a right angle, some pebbles will
need to be plucked off the mat where they are distorted at the corner
and replaced with smaller pebbles to maintain uniformity at this point.
SEALANTS & ENHANCERS
It is recommended to use an appropriate sealer before and after
grouting of the pebble tiles. For the best result a good quality
penetrating sealer should be used. These types of penetrating sealers
ordinarily do not change or alter the color of the stones.
In order to enhance the color of the pebble tiles, to a matt or glossy
finish, it is suggested to use a proper Enhancer product after the
grouting process is completed.
MAINTENANCE
To clean you can use a vinegar solution or a 10% hydrochloric acid
solution with water applied with a stiff bristled broom. A mild detergent
will work as well. Keep in mind the pebble stone is a porous product
and water absorption in pebbles will vary and some staining will occur
in different degrees if the stone is not sealed properly. Consequently,
any spills should be cleaned quickly to lessen the degree of the stain.
If using the acid process, please take every precaution and use the
product safely. After sponging off, rinse off excess acid with a bucket
or water or hose. To bring the pebbles to its full potential luster, we
recommend sealing according to above mentioned SEALANTS &
ENHANCERS section. Clear gloss or flat stone, non-yellowing
professional acrylic grade sealants are available. There are many
different products available on the market, however we recommend
contacting your nearest tile supplier for the most appropriate sealer for
your application.
