SITE PREPARATION

1. Storing the material
• Store the tiles on a flat surface and stack them in their original packaging. Do not stack more than 10 boxes. Before proceeding to lay them, allow the tiles to rest for 48 hours in a closed area with a temperature between 15° C and 30° C so that they can readjust.


2. Site conditions
• The temperature in the premises must be at least 12° C, and relative humidity must not exceed 65%. The premises must be closed and covered.
• Ensure that the heating installation is fully watertight.
• The concrete must be structurally sound and dry. The result must comply with national standards and regulations for construction. The moisture level in the floor screed must not exceed 5%.
• The sub floor must be smooth, clean and dry, and non-compressible. It must meet national standards and regulations for construction.
• With screed or concrete sub floors, it is necessary to use a resurfacing or smoothing compound.
• The resurfaced base must not risk exposing the laid floor covering to rising moisture.
• In the case of a sub floor of vinyl tiles, Terrazzo marble, etc. Remove surface chemicals. Correct the irregularities of the base surface with an appropriate smoothing compound.
• In the case of a base surface made of wood/fibreboard panels/reconstituted wood panels if the floor is not even, it may be necessary, before laying the tiles, to install a panel of plywood or fibreboard, fixed at intervals of 100 cm.
• In the case of raised floors they must comply with French DTU 57.1 norm. When laying the covering it is recommended that the joints should not be aligned with those of the floor modules. Be sure not to allow the preparation product to penetrate between the floor, which would make subsequent disassembly more difficult.
• In the case of under floor heating The temperature of the floor must not exceed 28° C.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

• A special aqueous dispersion preparation product for loose-lay carpet tiles must be used. The tile layer must refer to the preparation product manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the solution is compatible with the backing of the tiles. Recommendations regarding the amount of product, gumming time and method of application must be strictly followed.Respect the recommended proportions and apply an even layer of glue with the recommended tool. Before laying the tiles, respect the gumming time and make sure that no glue is transferred when you touch it.
  It is strongly recommended that you regularly carry out unsticking tests to check that the tiles are fully movable.

LAYING THE TILES

• Check the laying style required (checkerboard or single colour) by referring to the specifications or checking with your customer service. The direction of the fibres is given by arrows on the back of the tiles. Tiles must always all be laid in the determined direction.

1. Start Point
• Measure up your room and start from a line where there will be no cut tiles less than a quarter the size of a tile in door thresholds and next to walls. Once you have determined where the AB and AC axes lie by using these instructions, trace with chalk as in the example below. (See figure)



2. Method
• Place the first tile at the intersection of the AB and AC axes and continuing laying in a staggered ‘staircase’ pattern, being careful to ensure each tile is square against its neighbours Frequently check that the tiles are properly aligned by running your finger along the edge of the tiles.
3. Blocking
• Check that the edges of the tiles touch properly. The contact pressure should however not be too great so as not to cause bumps and buckling.
4. Cut the tiles
• Tile A is the last tile before cutting; Tile B is the tile to be cut which must be placed exactly on Tile A. Tile C is an extra tile used as a template. Position it against the wall and on top of Tile B.Use its edge to trace a line on Tile B, then cut using a craft knife. Then place the cut part of Tile B it between the wall and Tile A.
5. Finishing
• Once each laying area is completed the flooring needs to be protected from the work of other tradesmen.Avoid placing heavy items on the covered areas until the surface is completed.
6. WARNING (check list)
1. Store the tiles for 48 hours at a temperature above 15°C but not exceeding 30° C.
2. Check that the material to be used in the laying area comes from the same batch. Do not accept any mixing of batches. Batch numbers are given on the label of each box.
3. Ensure that the preparation product to be used is recommended for the backing of Ideallss tiles. Respect the gumming time as well as the quantities the manufacturer recommends. Failure to respect these two rules can result in the tiles becoming stuck, and hence prevent them from being movable.
4. Never start laying from a full tile positioned against a wall. Failure to respect the staggered staircase method of laying can result in the tiles not being square to each other, causing the partial opening of joints. This is not due to poor calibration of the tiles. Make sure you follow these rules.