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Retro-Fit Base Instructions

The color, shade, and pattern of all tile varies to some degree from piece to piece and from production run to production run. In some tiles, these variations are very slight (barely noticeable) and in others they are very extreme (it might look like different color tiles in the same box). Since this wide variety in shading exists, it is important for you to be educated about the tile you are selling and for you to educate your customer. Since our material is typically mid- grade to high-end products, shading tends to play a larger factor than in the lower-end material.

As previously stated, the color shade of each tile can exhibit anything ranging from a slight variation to an extreme variation. For that reason, it is important to review at least several pieces from the same production run in order to determine acceptable shade variations. Any questions or concerns about your tile selections should be clarified prior to installing.

Speartek follows the inudstry standard four shade variations:

UNIFORM APPEARANCE – V1

All pieces from the same production line are similar.

SLIGHT VARIATION – V2

A satin smooth finish with little or no gloss. If a honed stone is designated “unfilled” (UF), the surface may have visible natural cavities as pictured here.Clearly distinguishable differences in texture and or pattern with similar colors.

MODERATE VARIATION – V3

While the colors present on a single piece will be indicative of the colors to be expected on other tiles, the amount of color on each piece will vary slightly.

SUBSTANTIAL VARIATION – V4

Random color differences from tile to tile. One tile may have totally different colors from that of other tiles. Thus, the final installation will be unique.

PREPARATION & INSTALLATION

BEFORE YOU GROUT THE STONE, AN APPROPRIATE IMPREGNATOR MUST BE USED. This allows you to have the best possible construction site protection. Application of an impregnator does not change the natural appearance of the stone. Instead, it acts as a sealant resisting grout dye absorption which eases the removal of excess grout residue and protects against stains.

MAINTENANCE & CARE

Liquid poultice can be used to clean the surface. Generally poultice is available in markets and hardware stores and is safe for almost all natural stone floors. You can make use of a floor machine, a brush and a wet vacuum to clean up the floor. If the area that you have to clean is very small, you can achieve your purpose with a hand brush, otherwise you need an automatic scrubber for larger areas. If you find that your floor gets exposed to oils and greases, you need additional protection. You will find a chemical generally termed as “Pre Treat” that is applied to the surface after grout removal. The use of this added protection before using impregnator makes the porous surface of the limestone much more resistant to staining materials, especially oils.

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Limestone Maintenance Disclaimer

Crackle Tile Installation Guidelines

Surface treatments use various hardening techniques to offer a way to tailor the surface properties of a material without changing the bulk properties.

Speartek provides Honed, Honed & Filled, Brushed, Tumbled, Polished and Split Face surface treatments for our tile and stone products.

Speartek can help you select the right edge treatment or profile for your project.