If you decide to equip the floor with natural stone, you will need special preparation of the floor surface for this. Ideal if the surface is concrete. A prerequisite for preparation is the leveling of the surface and its drying.
The initial stage of arrangement – dry tile layout. This is the ability to perfectly match the ends and tile pattern. For adhesion strength of the plates to the base, when its dimensions are large, notches are made on the back side.
After marking the floor, lay the tiles. It is fixed on the floor with special mixtures and adhesives. The adhesive is selected according to the tile, which can be porous, medium porous and slightly porous.
The porosity of a tile affects its ability to absorb moisture. Porous tiles have a high degree of moisture absorption. Therefore, porous tiles are laid with a water-free adhesive. Slightly porous tiles are mounted on any composition, and medium-porous tiles on a mixture with a small amount of water.
Light-colored tiles are pre-primed on the back before laying, which will get rid of glue and dirty spots. It is also recommended to add lime flour to the glue for laying light tiles.
Using a wooden ruler, periodically check the levelness of the surface. Remove excess adhesive with a wet cloth or dry cloth.
After the tile is laid, it needs to dry. Do not walk on the floor surface for a while. Then do the stitching. Fill them with grout and after 20 – 30 minutes smooth with a paint brush or rubber spatula. You can finish the seams after they have completely dried with a moistened brush.
After laying and drying, natural stone is cleaned with washes and treated with protective compounds. If for some reason such treatment is not carried out, the floors are covered with a sealant, water repellent or mastic. It protects floors from stains, moisture and makes them easier to care for.
