scenery 0 Report post Posted November 10, 2007 Urgent help......Our contractor told us homogeneous tile no need soak. is it true? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JuzChris 1 Report post Posted November 10, 2007 Soaking or pre-cure of ceramic building materials in water is a common practice. This is a necessity when laying tile that is very soft, like Saltillo tile, or low-fired, unglazed terracotta. When a tile (or a brick for that matter) is too porous, it will suck the water out of the mortar without allowing it to set properly, leaving weak bonds between mortar and tile. Or simpler terms, reduces the strength n bond of the grout you r setting the tile in, which may cause the tiles to come loose later.Also with current improved cement fomulation for better adhersion, it's not technically necessary, though u'll find it makes the tile easier to adjust, plus u'll also get superior adhesion as some ppl claimed. Many contractors find sponging tiles wif water wld be gd enuff.Look on the box/ packaging.. typically ceramic tiles hv instructions which say "immerse in water for 1 hour before paving". While Porcelain and Homogenous tiles are rated to have very low if any water absorption, generally have very great abrasion aresistance, and generally very high breaking strength. Hence not required to soak or pre-cure. Hope this help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
armani 0 Report post Posted November 10, 2007 my tiler also did not soak prior to laying of the tile too. i guess there's no need to soak for homogenous tiles Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scenery 0 Report post Posted November 10, 2007 Thank you very much for the information Share this post Link to post Share on other sites