Tools required:  Wet saw, sponges, cloths, 4" paint brush, spirit level, masons bit, squeegee, 6 mm comb, water bucket. 
  

1. Decide on diamond or square pattern.  The former looks lively and runs straight into the edges; the latter looks conservative and evenness at the edges is important.  A brick pattern looks interesting as well.  For flagstone, brick or herringbone pattern looks best. Put the most colourful side of tile face up.  If surface is uneven put to skirting side where there is least traffic. 

2. Fix the tiles to a well-cured base (6 weeks old - BS regulations) with good quality cement based floor adhesive.  Allow to dry.  Expansion joints should be allowed for when covering large areas.  Adhesive should be a minimum of 6 mm thick and 10 mm for flagstone.  Butter backs of tiles.  The thinner tiles should be built up with more adhesive to make them level with the thick tiles so as to prevent lipping which may cause people to trip up later.  It is vitally important that all unevenness be tapped down into the thick bed of adhesive.  Grout space is to be a minimum of 10 mm and not greater than 15 mm or else the grout will sag in the middle.   

NB  If cement sand screed is the preferred bed the tiles are to be laid on, ask for that instruction sheet. 

3. At this stage the slate tiles should be sealed with HG Golvpolish or similar to assist in making it easier to pull the grout into the spaces and remove the grout scum.  Apply with a 4" paint brush.  Any excesses should be wiped off if they haven’t dried after 15 minutes. 

4. Grouting can commence as soon as the Golvpolish has dried out (3 - 4 hours, if you grout too soon it will stick to the wax and make it impossible to clean).  Use Sandstone grout only for Rustic Rosa and Oriental Autumn and Grey Wide joint for Charcoal and Black Flagstone.   Mix the grout to a pasty consistency according to the manufacturer's instructions.  (If it is too watery, salts will occur in the grout).  Pull the grout into the spaces with a squeegee and level off.  The grout should be flush with the surface of the tiles and not recessed.  This is achieved by allowing the grout to dry out longer.  Remove the surplus grout with a series of clean sponges and buckets of clean water.  Wipe with a damp sponge and rinse clean every time.  Allow the grout to dry out and harden ie 48 - 72 hours or longer.  Protect floor from other trades with 8" x 4" hardboard or block off the room.  Many jobs have been destroyed because this was not done.  If in doubt contact me on 087-2623672 or 00-353-87-2623672 (Nr Irl)   UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES USE CONTRACT CLEANERS TO CLEAN TILES EITHER. 

5. The next day, rub down surfaces with a dry towel to remove grout marks.  Apply HG Remover, which is a weak acid to the entire floor, following the manufacturer’s instructions, to give a really clean look. 

6. Seal the tiles with a second coat of HG Golvpolish to achieve a satin look.  More will cause a glazed look and spoil the natural appearance.  Also, foot traffic will cause scratch marks on the glaze. 

7. In relation to maintenance, contact the shop where the product was purchased so that they can give you my address for a maintenance sheet to be sent to you. 

Tools:  Angle Grinder or Wet Saw, comb 6 mm, Squeegee, sponges, bucket, plastic scrubbing pad, spirit level 

1. Stack tiles upright and not on the flat to prevent breakages when delivering to site.  Select from the pallet by laying them out on the floor into smooth and rough surfaces.  Use the rougher at the skirting edge and the smoother tiles in the middle. 

1. Lay tiles onto a concrete floor only, as a timber floor would have to be reinforced (impractical). 

2. Use a fastset floor adhesive combing it to a minimum depth of 6 mm.  Butter the backs of the tiles as well to make them level. 

3. The average thickness is 25 mm, so place the thickest tiles down first.  Use the thinner ones second, raising them up to the level of the thicker ones by building up with adhesive. Use broken slate chips to prop up the thinner tiles.  Average coverage per 20 kg bag is 3 yds2. 

4. Grout space should be 10 mm and not greater than 15 mm or else the Sandstone Grout will sag. 

5. The fastset adhesive takes 4/5 hours to harden and longer in winter, depending on drying conditions. 

6. Before grouting apply a coat of HG Impregnator ONLY.  This makes it easier to pull the grout into the grout spaces with the Squeegee and clean off later.  It takes approximately 4 hours to dry and longer in winter, if it is damp and moist. 

7. Use Sandstone Grout over the entire area.  Level off with the surface of the tiles by allowing it to practically dry out proud of the surface.  At this stage the centres of the tiles will have dried out white and the edges and the grout space will be mustard in colour.  Remove as much of the grout as you can from the central areas of each tile.  Leave the grout to semi-harden before wiping off with the surface of the tiles. 

8. Using the plastic scrubbing pad, clean the central area of the tiles without touching the grout space.  Wipe off with a damp (not wet) sponge.  Proceed to level the grout space with a new sponge rather than a used one, so that there are no streak marks made on the grout. 

9. Allow 24 - 48 hours for the grout to dry out and longer in winter, depending on drying conditions. 

10. Rub off the grout scum on the surface of the tiles by using a series of old clean towels. 

11. Wash the floor with HG Remover ONLY to remove all traces of grout scum following the manufacturer’s instructions. 

12. When completely dry, apply a second coat of HG Impregnator to the entire area including the grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

14. Floors can be cleaned by using soft soap (Lux Flakes) to remove the surface dirt, followed by HG Superfloor to give it a satin look.  Contact your shop for further details.