TILE INSTALLATION: NOTCHED TROWEL COMB TECHNIQUE

July 24, 2017
MABUHAY!

Another well known method of installing tile is the use of notched trowel comb technique. This method is very effective in eliminating voids- air trapped in the installed tiles. Installed tiles with void easily breaks or crack- specially when applied with pressure, because of it's inherent characteristic of being brittle. Our company sponsored a seminar and invited MARIWASA - probably the biggest tile manufacturer in the Philippines, to train our engineers. architect & masons with this technique.


DAY 1: LECTURE
Our lecturer discussed on the first day of our seminar the process of manufacturing, characteristic and quality issues of tile. Tiles are classified into two major categories. The porous tile that is usually ceramic and the non-porous tile that is usually homogeneous (granite powder) or porcelain tiles.

Water mark test - this is to test if the tile will show visible water mark when water submerged on it for a specified period of time.

Durability test - a participant tries pure human strength to break this tile.

The participant taking written exam

BREAK TIME!

DAY 2: FIELD INSTALLATION
TILE INSTALLATION TOOLS & ACCESSORIES

From Left to Right
1. Plastic bucket or Aluminum container -
2. 4 Ltrs  water container
3. Tile Adhesive (25 kg) - This is an ordinary type. For homogeneous or porcelain tiles,  Heavy duty type is recommended.
4. Rubber mallet
5. Trowel
6, 4 feet - Bar level
7. 2 feet - bar level
8. Notched trowel

Tools & accessories that are also useful in tile installation are:
- 24 inches steel square
- tile cutter usually grinder with diamond blade.
- PVC tile spacer
- tile grout

For this particular session, we used the Stanley Adhesive and paint mixer.

6mm X 6mm Notched trowel is for wall tile, 10mm X 10mm Notched trowel is used for Floor tile

SETTING OF LAY OUT
Set the vertical reference line  using a string nylon. Then set the horizontal reference line 90 degrees perpendicular to the vertical reference with the aide of a 24 inches steel square or a 600mm X 600mm  ceramic tile.

THE TILE SETTING POINT (TSP)
To determine the tile setting point (TSP), a shop drawing of the tile layout is a must. The TSP is the exact location of the first tile to be installed. Wrong placement of the TSP will result in an off-centered installation or with tapered sides.

SURFACE PREPARATION
Make sure that the surface of the concrete flooring is very clean. brush-off dust by using broom or air compressor. Remove loose concrete and laitance.

ASSEMBLY OF PADDLE MIXER

PROPER MIXING OF TILE ADHESIVE
The number of liters of water to be use for a bag of adhesive is usually written in packaging of the tile adhesive. To achieve the right consistency of the water-adhesive mixture, gradually pour the water so as not to make it soggy wet.

To test if the desired viscosity is already attained, the adhesive mixture must stick to the trowel and must not fall-off.

PRINCIPLE OF NOTCHED TROWEL COMB TECHNIQUE

The proper combing technique must be straight line stroke only. Do not crisscross the stroke.

Using a glass, you can see the voids- air trapped during installation. But the voids are very minimal.

By pushing the tile sideways, the trapped air will exit thru the ridges.

PROPER COMBING OF TILE ADHESIVE

Remember to comb the tile adhesive with a straight line stroke only.

BACK BUTTERING

Back-buttering is spreading a thin layer of tile adhesive at the back of the tile to help in filling up the voids during installation.

INSTALLING THE FIRST TILE

Push the tile side wards for the trapped air to exit thru the ridges. 

Stroke the tile with rubber mallet to achieve the desired level.

QUALITY CHECK

INSTALLING THE SECOND TILE

Use PVC tile spacer to achieve consistency of spacing

VIDEO TUTORIAL: TILE INSTALLATION NOTCHED TROWEL COMB TECHNIQUE

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AS INSTALLED IN OTHER PROJECTS
QUEZON CITY PROJECT
NOTCHED TROWEL COMB TECHNIQUE WITH BACK BUTTERING

After 24 hours,the tile breaks into pieces when remove. An indication of strong adhesion due to absence of voids.

NOTCHED TROWEL COMB TECHNIQUE WITHOUT BACK BUTTERING

When remove after 24 hours, the tile easily detach from the adhesive. 

MAKATI CITY PROJECT
NOTCHED TROWEL COMB TECHNIQUE WITH BACK BUTTERING

When the tile is remove, you can see the minimal presence of voids.

NOTCHED TROWEL COMB TECHNIQUE WITHOUT BACK BUTTERING

The presence of voids is 50%.

THE PARTICIPANTS