Terracotta Repair

[faithhealer]

Did a repair job this week, just a couple of tiles to replace. What surprised me was how the edges of the tiles (unsealed but top surface was sealed) sucked the moisture out of the grout. (mapei ultra colour) saw surface cracks appear straight away. Just told told the customer I would check on it next week. Where did I go wrong lads, never worked with terracotta before, Didn't even know 'til I dug a tile out.

 

[jay]

you live you learn sometimes it pays to dampen the area to be grouted varies depending on tile just wipe over with damp sponge see how quick it goes , you may have to do it a few times until it slows down then grout hope that helps :8:

 

[enduro]

And i sometimes do on repair jobs like this is rub a bit of adhesive on the edges as im fixing so grout gets a good key and dosent dry out to quick.

 

[Perry]

dont use grout on terracotta or it will craze gk is the only one i have ever used if you have to use grout ete

 

[White Room]

Gk, could'nt broaden that Pete

 

[Perry]

Ardex GK a few years back beam rapid setting but good old sand & cement is still the best on terracotta,sandstone and slate imo

 

[doug boardley]

Ardex GK a few years back beam rapid setting but good old sand & cement is still the best on terracotta,sandstone and slate imo

what additive would you use Pete, if ufh was present, lime possibly?

 

[faithhealer]

All the floor was set on ply on top of T&G floorboards. Didn't see any screws when i took a couple of tiles up. (300 mm tiles)(like a springboard, that floor) most of the surrounding tiles were also become detached from the ply! Told the customer but he just wanted the tile replacing.
(the adjoining conservatory has ufh with TWO layers of tiles!!! The first layer, the tilers left grout on the surface to clean off the next day!! but turned the ufh on full to 'help' dry it out. This baked the grout on which they couldn't remove so they tiled over the top... ha ha ha )

 

[marbleman]

terracotta is a very porous product , i just use the old methods seal tiles before installing thats edges and surface with boiled linseed oil and white spirits 50 50 , there are some terracottas on market that need more than one coat before you install if you have the time allow to dry i normal leave over nite. use a rapid set adhesive , i always use silver sand and cement four to one mix wash off and allow to dry . then i use a weak linseed oil and white spirit mix to clean surface . then a good beeze wax , johnsons traffic wax i find the best and then machine to a high polish, the floor will look fanastic , hence the price for terracotta instalation is a lot more money, tried the green sealer affect with semi matt finish and polish finish but never looks as good. installed terracotta for 25 years so i feel i can give some advice on the product, A word of warning always make it clear you can never do anything about the lime pops and salts can come though to the surface , i hope this helps

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

nice advice marbleman

 

[faithhealer]

Great reply marbleman, thanks

 

[Perry]

what additive would you use Pete, if ufh was present, lime possibly?

Doug something like Ardion 90 or even better primer plus what would you use ?