Tiles are an excellent choice for enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of living rooms, bedrooms, office spaces, etc. They offer a sleek, modern look and are available in various styles, colors, and patterns, making them ideal for personalizing spaces. Tiles are easy to clean, durable, and resistant to stains and scratches, ensuring long-term maintenance is hassle-free. They also contribute to creating a healthier environment by being non-porous and resistant to allergens.
However, Poor workmanship in tile installation can significantly mar the overall aesthetic of a space, leaving visible flaws such as uneven surfaces and poorly aligned joints prone to dirt accumulation. Such imperfections can create a lasting negative impact on the visual appeal.
With simple and consistent supervision by the homeowner, office manager, or an engineer, these issues can be minimized or entirely avoided. By following proper procedures and quality checks during tile installation, one can ensure a flawless and appealing finish. Below are essential guidelines to keep in mind during the tile-fixing process:
- Purpose:
To carry out the entire ceramic tiling work for any structure as per drawing and specification in a safe manner and recording the details for proper measurement. Laying Tiles as per the pattern approved in shop drawing to the required level over the evenly laid base mortar with straight line joints and finished as per the specifications.
- Scope:
This procedure is applicable for doing the floor tiling work at various structures (Home, Office, School, etc.)
3. PROCEDURE :
- Mark the tile pattern on wall and floor as per the drawing.
- Roughen the surface by chipping or hacking to receive the base mortar and cleaning. For wall tiles use cement paste for fixing tiles.
- Prepare and lay base mortar to the required level.
- Lay the tiles to the approved pattern with thin joints over the bed mortar with a layer of cement slurry coat for proper bonding. Use wooden hammers to tap the tiles in position.
- Clean the joints with wire/coir brush to remove mortar and dust.
- Flush point the joint with a Grout of white cement mixed with approved tile mate to match tile color.
- Cure for 7 days.
- Through clean the surface with mild hydrochloric acid and water.
- Laying Tiles as per the pattern approved in shop drawing to the required level over the evenly laid base mortar with straight line joints and finished as per the specifications.
- Responsibility
Checks for House/Office/Structure Owners:
- Surface Quality
- Verify the surface is level and clean before tile fixing begins.
- Ensure walls and floors are properly waterproofed in wet areas.
- Material Verification
- Check tile type, adhesive, grout, and spacers match the specifications in the drawing.
- Inspect for any tile defects such as cracks or uneven edges.
- Alignment and Gaps
- Monitor the alignment of tiles and ensure proper joint spacing using spacers.
- Ensure patterns and layouts are followed as per design.
- Bonding and Adhesive
- Randomly check tiles to ensure proper bonding with adhesive (tap to check for hollow sounds).
- Verify that adhesive is applied uniformly.
- Grouting
- Check for uniform grout application without gaps or air pockets.
- Ensure the grout colour matches the design intent.
- Cleanliness
- Ensure all excess grout and adhesive are cleaned after tile fixing.
- Check for scratches or stains on tiles.
- Final Inspection
- Verify levels with a spirit level and alignment with straight edges.
- Inspect the finishing of corners and edges.
For Civil Projects the responsibility at various levels are:
- Project Manager:
- To interact with client, contractors and Head Office.
- Monitoring workmen and resources required for site i.e. arranging for the staff, plant / machinery from the sources available from Head Office
- Chair the review meetings to sort out the problems in execution of the job for safely and successful completion of the activity.
- He will see to that all safety measures are being practiced at the site and will address all the problems immediately.
Execution Engineer:
- Ensuring the proper functioning of the site
- Ensuring the understanding, implementation and maintenance of quality and safety systems at all levels.
- Ensuring proper documentation and data control.
- Ensuring adherence to construction schedule and giving feedback to planning cell.
- Ensuring proper housekeeping at work site.
- He will conduct tool box talk to the workforce at the start of each shift and new tasks.
Safety Engineer:
- Ensuring overall safety at site.
- Identifying potential hazardous operations and situations and prepare hazard analysis.
- Preparing comprehensive and detailed accident report whenever accidents occur.
- Understanding the site conditions at various stages of work from perspective of safety of personnel and machinery
- Evaluating the requirement of safety training programs and carrying out the safety training programs
- Conduct safety induction training as and when the situation demands.
QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Control) Engineer :
- Maintaining list of Quality related records.
- Control and inspection of QC activities.
- Day to day monitoring and performance of laboratory activities.
- Reference Documents:
- Relevant standard
- Approved Drawings
- Specification
6. DOCUMENTATION:
All documents and reports shall be made as per approved FQAP and approved formats only.