Avoiding Mortar Missteps with TEC® Skill Set™

AURORA, IL… Innovations in mortar technology have made it easier to meet the specific demands of a variety of jobs. However, a mortar is only as good as its installer, and forgetting installation fundamentals can result in callbacks and job failures. Properly selecting and applying mortar in tiling projects can make the difference between a successful tile installation and a haphazard one. Understanding the correct steps to take – and which ones to avoid – is necessary to a successful tile installation. TEC® Skill Set™ tile installation products, available at select Lowe’s® can help with those simple, yet critical mortaring steps that create a professional-looking and long-lasting tile installation.

Preparing the surface underneath tile is vital for a durable installation. The substrate should be clean and level prior to tile installation – if it is already flat, surface preparation can be as easy as sweeping or wiping it with a damp, clean sponge before beginning to set tile. But in some cases, variations in the substrate create an uneven surface that can sabotage proper tile installation. If the substrate is not flat and level, a patch or self-leveling underlayment can be used to remedy the problem. One option – TEC® Skill Set™ Self Leveling Underlayment — is a cement-based underlayment, walkable in only 2-4 hours for time-sensitive installations.

Selecting the correct mortar for a job is easily the most crucial decision in any tile installation. A vast array of mortars is within reach, on the shelves of local home improvement stores. But certain mortars are meant for certain jobs. Too often, mortars are selected based on cost factors alone. When the wrong mortar is chosen, improper installation can lead to costs far exceeding any initial savings on mortar purchases.

It is important to consider tile type, installation environment, and substrate before selecting a mortar. If working with large tiles, choose a mortar specifically designed to compensate for their weight and size, such as TEC® Skill Set™ TotalFlex® Universal Mortar or TEC® Skill Set® Large Tile and Stone Mortar. For delicate mosaic glass installations, opt for a mortar that meets both the aesthetic and performance requirements of that material, like TEC® Skill Set® Glass Tile Mortar.

All too often, tile installations end up under extreme time constraints. Construction schedules must stay on track, as contractors have other jobs to tend to. TEC® Skill Set™ Fast Setting Mortar is specifically designed to accommodate busy contractors with its fast-drying formula – ready to grout in only three hours.

Additionally, installers must adapt the tile installation to accommodate weather conditions. Left under the hot summer sun, mortar will set up too fast. And direct sunlight on hot, dry days can cause the moisture in mortar to evaporate, creating weaker mortar prone to crumbling over time. Tenting the area can protect the quality of the installation.

Alternately, cold temperatures prevent mortar from setting up in a reasonable timeframe. The best temperatures for tile installation are between 50-70 degrees prior to install, and for 48 hours after. Don’t start an outdoor project if there’s a chance that temperatures will drop below freezing, and keep in mind that cooler temperatures increase cure times.

Once the substrate is prepped, the mortar is selected and the weather is forecasted, troweling is the next step. Contact area – or the amount of mortar that touches each tile – is the most important factor at this stage. Average contact area for tile should be at least 80 percent and generally increases to 95 percent in exterior installations or wet installations like showers and bathrooms. Natural stone, however, requires a contact area of 100 percent.

To check for proper coverage, a tile can be pulled immediately after placement to investigate the wet mortar on its backside to see how much contact and coverage has been achieved.

TEC® Skill Set™ products are available at select Lowe’s® Home Improvement stores. To learn more about TEC® Skill Set™ tile installation products, visit www.tecskillset.com.

The TEC® Skill Set™ brand is offered by H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc. – a leading provider of technologically advanced construction materials and solutions to the commercial, industrial and residential construction industry. Headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, the company’s recognized and trusted brands - TEC®, CHAPCO®, ProSpec®, Grout Boost®, Foster® and others – are available through an extensive network of distributors and dealers, as well as home improvement retailers. TEC® Skill Set™ DesignColor™ Grout is offered only at Lowe’s. For more information, visit www.hbfuller-cp.com.

TEC® and Skill Set™ are trademarks of H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc.