Tile Installation & Maintenance: Tips from the Pros

By Union Tiles

Tiles are one of the most enduring finishes in architecture, but their longevity depends on decisions made long before the first grout line is struck. As any seasoned contractor will attest, shortcuts during installation can haunt a building for decades. Drawing on guidance from seasoned contractors, and Union Tiles’ own technical advisors, this article distils best-practice principles that safeguard your investment – from substrate to after-care.

1 | Pre-Installation: Where Success Begins

a. Assess & Prepare the Substrate

A tile assembly is only as sound as the surface beneath it.

1. Flatness & Level: SANS 10145 recommends no deviation greater than 3 mm over 2 m. Use self-levelling screeds for uneven concrete and tile-backer boards over timber.
2. Structural Movement: Identify control joints; isolate tiled areas on suspended slabs with uncoupling membranes.
3. Moisture Testing: In coastal KwaZulu-Natal, slabs can take longer to dry. A carbide bomb or digital hygrometer should confirm < 3 % moisture before bonding. Excess humidity triggers debonding and efflorescence months later.

b. Moisture Barriers & Primers

Cape Town’s winter rains and high water tables demand robust waterproofing. Apply liquid-rubber membranes on bathrooms, balconies, and rooftops, lapping 100 mm up walls. For highly absorbent screeds, use an acrylic primer; it prevents rapid moisture loss from the adhesive, ensuring full cure.

c. Adhesive Choice

Heavy porcelain (> 60 × 60 cm) needs a flexible C2 S1 adhesive compliant with EN 12004. Add 10–15 % extra open time in hot Highveld summers by damp-sponge cooling the substrate just prior to trowelling.

2 | Grouting & Sealing: Locking In Longevity

a. Grout Joint Design

• Width: Large-format tiles require 3 mm joints to accommodate thermal movement; mosaics look best at 1,5 mm.
• Colour Strategy: A near-match conceals irregularities, while contrast accents pattern. Remember: darker pigments can highlight efflorescence on exterior façades.

b. Mixing & Application

Veteran tiling contractors often “slake time.” Let cement-based grout stand 5 minutes after mixing, then remix; this hydrates polymers fully and prevents pin-holes. Pack joints diagonally with a rubber float and sponge within 15 minutes to avoid haze.

c. Sealing Stone & Porcelain

Natural stone – travertine, slate, marble – requires penetrating sealers that breathe. Two coats, applied 24 hours apart, protect against red wine or braai-fat stains. Though many porcelains are technically non-porous, polished or micro-textured finishes benefit from a pre-grout sealer that repels dye transfer.

3 | Ongoing Care: Protecting the Finish

a. Cleaning Solutions

• Daily: pH-neutral cleaners remove dirt without stripping sealers.
• Deep Clean: Quarterly, use an alkaline degreaser on kitchen floors and an acid-free descaler in showers (traditional acid eats grout).
• Stain Response: Blot, don’t rub. Apply poultice on stubborn oil marks, pulling stains out without spreading them.

b. Avoiding Surface Damage

Chair tips and high-heel traffic can scar glazed ceramics. Fit furniture with felt pads. In commercial foyers, walk-off mats capture 85 % of grit within 6 m of the door, a metric recommended by the Tile Council of North America and equally relevant to Sandton office towers.

c. Rejuvenation, Not Demolition

For heritage terrazzo and natural stone, Union Tiles’ Floor Rejuvenation service grinds, re-polishes, and re-seals without replacing a single tile. The process diverts tonnes of debris from landfill and restores lobby sheen overnight – minimal downtime, maximum sustainability.

5 | Final Word: The Sage Approach

A true craftsman respects what the eye will never see: the primer beneath a slab or the exact water ratio in grout. By applying these time-honoured practices – and specifying quality adhesives, grouts and sealers – design professionals guarantee that their aesthetic vision endures real-world traffic, climate swings, and cleaning regimes.

Union Tiles is here to guide clients with evidence-based recommendations, meticulous technical data, and decades of field experience. Whether you’re detailing a shopping-centre concourse or a bespoke penthouse bathroom, our trained specialists stand ready to advise on substrates, expansion strategy, and finishing products – all under one roof.

Visit a Union Tiles showroom, attend one of our CPD-accredited seminars, and see first-hand how expert installation and maintenance turn beautiful tiles into lasting legacies.

 📞 +27 11 663 2000

🌐 uniontiles.co.za

References

• TAL. “Installation Guideline – Waterproofing & Tiling a Residential Shower (TAL Sureproof Shower).” December 2024. 
• Tile Council of North America. “Ceramic Tile FAQ.” 2025. 
• TAL. “Installation Guideline – Tiling onto Existing Floor Tiles.” 2023.