Cold Weather & Tile and Stone Installations

Cold Weather Tiling and Grouting

Conventional Portland cement tile & stone mortar beds, thin-set mortars, grouts and cement plasters are often permanently damaged when subject to below freezing temperatures immediately after installation.

The water content of a freshly installed mortar turning into ice often results in the Portland cement gel structure rupturing with significant loss in strength, flexibility and durability. Subsequent repairs to the damaged work and resulting site delays are extremely costly.

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PermaColor Grout and Hot Weather

Technical Service Advisory - LATICRETE PermaColor Grout and Hot Weather

This technical service advisory deals with the topic of grouting with LATICRETE® PermaColor Grout in hot weather. Note that the recommended substrate temperature range for LATICRETE PermaColor is between 40° F (4° C) and 90° F (32°C). 
LATICRETE PermaColor Grout is a fast setting grout and has been designed to set up more quickly that traditional portland cement based grouts. 
This trait lends to better color accuracy. As with all fast setting products used in hot weather, care needs to be taken to ensure satisfactory grouting results. 

Note the following recommendations:
 
·         Store grouting materials out of direct sunlight (preferably indoors) at 40° - 90°F (4° - 32° C) to extend the shelf life, pot life and working time. Do not store products in direct sunlight. If the grouting materials are too warm, they should be cooled to the specified temperature range for 24 hours prior to the start of grouting.
·         Work during cooler periods of the day (e.g. early morning).
·         Always clean the mixing pail before mixing a fresh batch of grout. Left over grout in the pail (on bottom and sides) can accelerate the setting of freshly mixed grout.
·         Keep mixing pails, cleaning water pails, and drill paddles cool and out of direct sunlight. If interior storage is not possible, shade tools and pails and / or rinse with cool water just prior to use.
·         Keep water hoses used mix and fill grout cleaning buckets out of direct sunlight and run water until cool.
·         Shade exterior areas and interior areas exposed to direct sunlight to allow surfaces to be grouted a chance to cool prior to grouting
·         Dampen surfaces to be grouted with clean, cool water just prior to grouting and allow standing water to evaporate
·         Mix LATICRETE PermaColor Grout with clean cool water. This step will extend the pot life and open time of cement grouts. Mix with a slow speed drill mixer (~300 rpm) for 1 minute. Allow the grout to slake for 5 minutes and remix with drill mixer for 1 minute.
·         Do not over-mix LATICRETE PermaColor Grout. This may generate excess heat in the pail and cause the grout to set up more quickly than desired. Mix strictly according to LATICRETE instructions on product packaging.
·         If the grout begins to stiffen and re-mixing is necessary; remix with drill mixer for 10-15 seconds to an even consistency to prolong pot life. Do not add more water. Take care not to draw in hardened (dried) grout, from the sides of the pail into the mix. This may result in lumps appearing in the joints after grouting. When hardened lumps are visible in pail, discard them prior to re-mixing the grout in the pail. Remember to always clean the mixing pail before mixing a fresh batch of grout. Left over grout in the pail (on bottom and sides) can accelerate the setting of freshly mixed grout.
 
Refer to Technical Data Sheet 176 – Hot Weather and LATICRETE for more information on using LATICRETE Systems Materials in hot weather. 

Please let me know if you have questions.
 
Arthur Mintie
Technical Services Director
LATICRETE International, Inc.
Tel. +1.203.393.0010 ext. 326
amintie@laticrete.com

Hot Weather & Tile / Stone Installations

Conventional Portland cement mortar beds, thin-set mortars, cement plasters and stuccos are often permanently damaged when subject to hot, dry temperatures or desert climates immediately after installation. High temperatures remove the water content of the mortar required for Portland cement hydration, curing and strength development. In addition, rapid drying often causes mortar to crack, crumble or lose bond.

Waterproofing membranes, anti-fracture membranes, epoxy adhesives, epoxy grouts, waterproofing membranes and many other tile & stone installation products will also be affected by hot working temperatures. Flash setting and reduced working time can result. It is important to note that surface temperature is more important than air temperature. Therefore, monitor the surface temperature of the installation. Click here to see a GREAT tool to do this.

There is a simple rule to follow when an installation is subjected to high temperatures:

The 18º Rule – for every 18ºF above 70ºF (10ºC above 21ºC), Portland cement and epoxy based materials take half as long to cure.

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