jmca_technical

1. Technical specifications
To lay the asphalt tiles is a similar procedure to working with conventional stone tiles. To achieve a good finish the correct materials and methods of work must be used according to the manufacturer's specifications. The lack of experience in working with asphalt tiles can lead to faults like cracks, discoloration or surface issues. To avoid, follow the manufacturers recommendations and consult our team of expertes. The asphalt tiles have thermoplastic properties and do not crack easily. Cracks can develop as a consequence of the movement of the sub-floor or the screed. It is crucial that the correct methods of working and the right materials are used for laying the asphalt floor. To achieve satisfactory results, the following work specifications should be followed:

2.1 Storage on site
The asphalt tiles are thermoplastic and need to be protected against direct sunlight and heat. Stack tiles on a firm base, keep dry and off the ground, cover if necessary.

2.2 Floor under-construction
The floor construction and structure must be capable of withstanding the full floor weight. Preferably a solid concrete slab or otherwise a double planked composite board floor. The surface should be brushed clean, free of oils, grease, plaster and mortar. Concrete floor should not show any cracks according to standard DIN1045. When laying over prefabricated element floors, or over insulation or subdivided surfaces, do request technical advice from the manufacturer.

2.3 Floor humidity
Asphalt tiles must be protected against rising damp. Damp proof courses should not interrupt the bond with the floor slab. All damp proof courses must be placed under the floor slab.

2.4 Levelling screed
An uneven slab should be levelled first with a cement screed layer ZE30.

2.5 Laying asphalt tiles
The specification applies to a full bond between tiles, screed and slab with no separating courses. When completed, the floor can be walked on after 3 days and used fully after 28 days with temperatures higher than 5¡ degrees Celsius. Allow more time when temperatures are lower than 5 degrees Celsius.

Workstages Laying the Asphalt Tiles

3.1 Screed
Brush a mixture of mortar, cement and water onto the concrete slab. Wet the concrete before application. Apply the mortar for one row of tiles at one time. (mixture cement/sand 1:3 to max. 1:4, consistency: medium humidity and low plasticity, DIN1053 and DIN1045) spread the mortar evenly, no cavities; lay tiles within 1 hour. For a perfect bond apply a cement wash over the mortar spread. The average depth of the mortar bed should be 25mm. Mortar: Use Mortar group III DIN 1053. Do not add any lime stone based additives. Mortar should be free of limestone. i.e. LIME FREE TRAZ cement: Cement according to DIN 1164, CEMI 32,5R, CEMI 42,5R Sand: 0-4mm, according to DIN 1045, 6.2.2 (1) or DIN 4226.

3.1.1 Working with Floor Adhesives
Lay the tiles on a composite (particle or plywood) board requires a sturdy none bouncy sub-construction. Preferably double planked. Use cement based tile adhesive to glue the tiles onto the particle board. Bed: 2-3mm.

3.2 Methods of Laying Asphalt tiles
Lay the tiles based on a grid pattern. If required cut tile edges at right angled to suit floor layout.

3.2.1 Grouted joints SEE PICTURE
After mortar has hardnend the joints of approximately 2mm can be filled with a fine sand/cement colored grout ((mix: per (25kg) ARDEX FX/(1.5kg) LIME FREE cement and colour cement pigments (max 4%vol) to match tile colour)). To achieve aesthetically pleasing results the grout should match the tile colour. Joints can be filled only when mortar has hardened, usually after 2 or 3 days. After slight hardening of the grout add a second wash of filler. After filling, wait until surface hardening is taking place and then swiftly remove all excess grout manually or with a rotating machine brush washer. To allow dillatation keep side gaps grout free. Subsequently wash floor thoroughly 3-times with plain water until all surplus of grout and any traces of cement are removed. It is advisable to remove traces of cement with DASAG-8037 cleaning agent.

3.2.2 Butted Joints SEE PICTURE
The tiles are laid tight with a minimum joint of approx 0-1mm (butted effect). Pound the tiles carefully into position. Then proceed as above (3.2.1)

3.3 Dilatation joints
Dilatation joints in the slab must be transferred into screed and floor tile pattern. Use uncut tiles only along the dilatation joints. Allow 10mm joint along to vertical wall elements and use an elastic filler. Allow dilatation joints in the floor pattern to separate areas larger than 10 x 10 meters on ground floors and 8x8 meters on upper floors.

4 Floor Finishes

4.1 Raw Varnished Floor SEE PICTURE
Afer the floor is grouted and dry proceed with the varnishing: The varnish acts as a waterproof sealant and greatly accentuates the aesthetic properties of the floor material. Varnish the completed and cleaned floor with a short haired or sponge roller, apply evenly two coats of varnish DASAG-supplied varnish (total of approx. 350 GRAMS per sqm). Layer must dry well before proceeding to next application. Usual drying time is 1 day per coat. Very important: The floor and screed must have dried out before applying the 1st coat of varnish, do NOT apply varnish onto a humid floor!!

4.1.1 Sanded and Varnished Floor SEE PICTURE
Afer the floor is grouted and dry proceed with sanding the floor with an industriel rotational sander (NOT strip or band sander!!), Sand the floor as you would treat an hardwood floor. After a smooth sanded surface has been achieved proceed varnishing the floor as described above (4.1)

4.2 Glazing Agent
If required, apply DASAG supplied glazing agent with a lamb wool roller. Drying time takes a few hours only (approx. 40-60gramms per sqm/coat).

5. Maintenance
The floors can be mopped by adding DASAG supplied cleaning agent to be added to the mopping water (alternatively use colour- and solvent-free wax based sanitary cleaning agent). If necessary the floor can be reconditioned by applying a fresh coat of the DASAG varnish as described above (4.1)