INSTALLATION

The successful installation of floors depends not only on the quality of tiles

but on a combination of factors (bedding, binding layer, expansion joints, etc.)

that constitute a real system.

That is why installation operations are to be considered as important as the

choice of tiles. However, based on the structure and purpose of the flooring

surface, the designer is still responsible for defining the correct procedure

to lay the tiles and selecting the ones to be employed. When it comes to

installation operations, Casalgrande Padana tiles do not differ from any other

type of ceramic: either the traditional procedure envisaging cement mortar or

the procedure envisaging glues and adhesives may be resorted to.

For tiles larger than 30x30 cm, we recommend using an installation system

with an adhesive according to the intended use of the room, type and

characteristics of the substrate, and size in consideration of the static/

dynamic loads on the ceramic tiles.

If you use an adhesive, you must first ensure that the substrate has suitable

characteristics for glueing ceramics, such as stability and dimensional

regularity, rigidity, absence of cracks, clean and intact surface, and absence

of excess moist and/or contaminants.

Before starting the installation operations of any surface, we recommend you

make sure that the stoneware batch is adequate and sufficient in terms of

quantity, tone and calibration. Moreover, all necessary norms and precautions

need to be implemented for the correct completion of the work (bedding

preparation, composition of mortar or adhesives, maturing period, positioning

expansion joints, ramming, etc.).

If in case of large environments joints must be positioned at regular intervals,

in small environments a small gap between the tiles and perimeter walls is

sufficient: the skirting board will cover the gap and provide the finishing effect.

Avoid walking on the floor for at least 2/3 days after installation. If walking on

the floor is necessary, lay wooden planks on the surface.

Please notice that if the tiles are installed with the traditional procedure and

no additives are added to the mortar, at least one month has to elapse before

the floor can be subjected to stress and operating loads.

Even though Granitogres, Pietre Native and Granitoker tiles are very resilient

material, they can be shaped or perforated to install technical and sanitary

systems, using appropriate equipment.

EXTERNAL WALLS CLADDING

For external walls cladding the technical department of Casalgrande

Padana is at customers’ disposal in order to suggest the most suitable

solution and to provide necessary assistance.

RAISED FLOORS

Granitogres, Pietre Native and Granitoker tiles, thanks to their high

mechanical characteristics such as flexural resistance, compression

resistance, impact resistance, wearing resistance, are extremely suitable

for raised floors. In this case too the technical department of Casalgrande

Padana is at customers’ disposal to provide necessary assistance.

MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING OF THE FLOORING AND

WALL COVERINGS

A Casalgrande Padana flooring or wall covering – whether natural, lapped,

gloss or polished – is synonymous with beauty, strength and a long life.

These surfaces are low maintenance and only need be cleaned as described

below.

First clean

The purpose of first-time cleaning is to remove any trace of cement or plaster

used to close the joints.

The flooring/wall covering is normally cleaned once before use. This must be

done before the flooring/wall covering is used.

Proceed as follows:

1. Sweepthefloor/coveringtoremovethecoarserdirt.

2. Dampen the surface with water so as to soak the joints, thereby

protecting them from the corrosive action of the acid detergent (descaling

product).

3. Apply the detergent (see note A) in the concentration (water mixing ratio)

indicated by the manufacturer using a manual or motorised brush. Avoid

any contact between the acid detergent and the steel, aluminium, and

natural marble components near the flooring/wall covering.

4. Leave the detergent on as long as needed, depending on the condition

of the floor, then rub any stubborn dirt away (and scrape off residues of

mortar, plaster, etc. ...).

5. Rinse the flooring/covering with water and mop up the dirty water

immediately (manually or with a washer/drier).

If the flooring/wall covering is cleaned for the first time after being used, it is

important to use appropriate alkaline detergents (degreasing agents) before

applying the acid detergent to remove any greasy or similar substance (see

Routine Cleaning).

If necessary, you can repeat the first-time cleaning operations described above.

Polished, gloss and lapped surfaces

All polished surfaces tend to become more opaque with use. Because of

its outstanding technical properties, with Casalgrande Padana products

this process is slower than for any other natural material (marble, granite,

stone, etc.). However, to protect the floor’s shine for as long as possible,

it’s important to protect the entrance to the floored room, especially if it has

an adjoining outdoor area, with a doormat that can keep as much dust or

abrasive substances as possible off the floor.

A slight loss of shine after the first acid wash must be considered normal, as it

is due to the removal of the abrasive residues used for processing the surface.

A) Here are a few detergents recommended for removing plaster residues:

Cement plaster joints – acid detergents (descaling products)

Deterprimo Plus (Casalgrande Padana), Deterdek (Fila), Keranet (Mapei),

Deltaplus (Kerakoll), Solvacid (Geal) or similar detergents (follow the

manufacturer’s instructions).

Epoxy plaster joints – alkaline detergents

Fuga-Soap Eco (Kerakoll), Kerapoxy Cleaner (Mapei), Tile Cleaner

(Faber), CR10 (Fila), Lithofin Resin-Ex (Lithofin), Eposolv (Geal) or similar

detergents (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).

Routine cleaning

For everyday cleaning, all you have to do is wash the flooring/wall covering

with water and normal neutral detergents suitable for ceramic surfaces (for

wall coverings use a neutral gel detergent gel).

Make sure that the detergents do not contain waxy substances. The surfaces

of Casalgrande Padana products are practically non-absorbent; therefore,

the use of wax and/or silicone cleaners is not required. These should

never be used, as they create a superficial film that changes the natural

characteristics of porcelain stoneware.

Should there be any stubborn stain that cannot be removed by routine

cleaning, use a more concentrated detergent and leave it on for long enough,

then rub harder until the tiles are back to their original condition. Note that

porcelain stoneware is resistant to any chemical, except hydrofluoric acid,

which eats into any ceramic, so it must never be used.

Floors of public areas should be cleaned when the place is closed, so the

floor will be dry when it reopens; otherwise, fence off the cleaned floor until

perfectly dry.

For larger places, use a washer/drier to ensure perfect cleanliness and

hygiene.

The flooring is to be considered clean when it returns to its original

appearance!

Anti-slip flooring

These surfaces are normally used in industrial or work environments and

require a few extra measures for their maintenance.

For larger places, use a washer/drier to ensure perfect cleanliness and

hygiene. These floors can also be cleaned using a pressure washer.

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