Flooring – Tile Work in Construction

Method Statement

Preparation

1. Procurement team to take undertaking from the manufacturer whether the tile
   is fit for flooring or wall dado.
2. Tile manufacturer’s authorized representative to be compulsorily be present
   during first time installation of tile and ensure that their guidelines are adhered
   to. (Often we observe that tile manufacturer blames the installation process
   when defects are pointed out in tiles. This will cover all bases.)
3. Study drawings for Design layout and start point
4. If necessary, after referring the architectural flooring layout, shop drawing can
   be prepared and approved considering the design/on handling wastages.
5. Decide which tiles to be cut. Cut tiles to be at edges so that they are hidden
   inside the skirting.
6. MEP Clearance to be taken prior to start of flooring work
7. Ensure adequate illumination in working area.

Sorting of Tiles

1. Take 9 tiles and lay them in level
2. Check for any bends in tiles.
3. Check for any lippage in tiles by sliding coin
4. Check size of tiles with tape. Take 3 measurements along length and breadth
5. Check right angle of tile
6. Check tile thickness using Vernier calliper
7. Check colour, shade and pattern of tiles
8. Check for scratch, pinholes, bubbles
9. Remove faulty tiles
10. Attic stock of minimum 3 % to be maintained at Project.

Surface Preparation and Jointing / Bedding Mortar

1. Ensure SFL level is transferred from master level from lift lobby for all floors
   and same to be transferred inside flats area where flooring need to be
   processed.
2. Make (RL +1 m level) from SSL with level tube. In entire flat.
3. Ensure the slab rough by tamping with hammer.
4. Clean slab with wire brush, water and broom.
5. If there is any cracks on the surface those are to be repaired with approved
   repairing SOP
6. Apply Anti Capillary coat with approved waterproofing material (Master seal
   550 or Equivalent) to the Block work surface and to the floor as per Anti
   capillary SOP
7. Lay cement slurry 2.5Kg/m2 (1:1) so that micro cracks are filled up
8. Create level pads (also known as Thia, Button mark) to check thickness of
   bedding mortar and FFL
9. Vitrified tiles does not require pre-soaking, however for ceramic tiles pre-soaking for 2 hours is required.
10. For flooring with slopes (Toilet & Balcony / deck) following slope to be
    provided (to be ensured through difference in level pads)
    1. Toilet: 10 mm in dry area. Further 10 mm in wet area. (1:120)
    2. Balcony: 1:100.
11. If thickness is more than 40 mm then lay screed with Minimum M10 grade to
    be used for additional thickness.
12. Ensure electrical and plumbing openings are closed and well protected
13. Mix mortar PPC or OPC 43 grade Cement (1): Sand (5).
14. Spread mortar as per level pads with steel patti.

Laying of Tiles : Spacers

1. Use 2 mm spacers for tiles up to 600 mm
2. Use 3 mm spacers for tiles more than 600 mm
3. Ensure 5 mm gap to be left between wall and tiles for expansion
4. Check right angle
5. Establish joints with line dori.
6. Mix cement slurry (1:1) cement consumption 3.5Kg/m2
7. Place the tile on bedding mortar.
8. Use rubber mallet for tamping on top of tile to remove hollowness
9. Check level of tile with spirit level
10. Remove tile and spread cement slurry.
11. Rake the cement slurry for proper penetration
12. Place the tile and tamp with rubber mallet. Follow arrow mark in tile
13. Install PVC spacers on all 4 sides of tile.
14. Start laying other tiles with PVC spacers.
15. Check joints and level with spirit level
16. Barricade the area for min 24hrs for no manpower movement to avoid
    settlement issue
17. Spacers provided while fixing floor tiles needs to be removed after setting of
    cement or within 48Hrs.
18. After spacer removal, clean up the space between the joints.
19. Apply masking tape for protection of joints

Skirting Work

1. Wet the area where skirting is to be applied
2. Fix the skirting with cement paste or tile adhesive without voids behind.
3. Check line and level
4. Check right angle
5. Ensure joint of skirting matches with joint of flooring

Protection of Flooring

1. Use masking tape to cover up the joints
2. Lay bubble guard/foam sheets/HDPE sheets with PVC adhesive tape

Joint Filling for tiles with spacers

1. Clean the joint with mild detergent and sponge.
2. Remove the PVC spacers
3. Remove the dust with patra and air blower.
4. For dry areas such as living room/ bedrooms , passage: use polymer modified
   cementitious grout
5. For wet & exterior areas such as toilets, balconies, terraces use epoxy grout.
6. Apply 1 inch paper masking tape on either side of tile joint.
7. Mix the grout with water as per manufacturer’s guidelines
8. Apply with rubber gurmala
9. The grout to be approx. 0.5 mm lower than tile top and finished in curve.
10. The excessive grout from the tile joints should be thoroughly wiped off.
11. Wait for 2 to 3 days and tamp with rubber mallet for hollowness
12. For a given tile, if hollowness observed in more than 2 out of 5 points (4 corners and center) then it shall be replaced.
13. Check for lippage by sliding coin across the tiles as per applicable tolerance Guidelines

Material Storage Guidelines

1. Store tiles in a dry and well-ventilated area.
2. Always store tile with the labels on the edge of the boxes facing outward and placing as the mould surface of one faces that of another.
3. Maintain register for each batch of tile being delivered in a register. Keep aside min 3% of each batch for purpose of attic stock and consider 3% for handling wastage and label the attic stock properly with traceability to the laid location and batch Number.