Tools required:  Angle grinder, sponges, cloths, 4" paint brush, shining brush, squeegee, 6 mm comb, water bucket.  If using a wet saw, cut tiles must be dried with a dry cloth or else salting will occur. 

1. When goods arrive on site, store inside to protect pallets from rain, which causes salting. Stack tiles upright, and not on the flat, to prevent breakages.   

1. The tiler should make himself familiar with the display board in the tile showroom, ie the colour of the grout, the pattern and the sealers used.  Any tiles with chipped edges or markings should be used as cuts or against the skirting board. 

2. Decide on a diamond or square pattern.  The former looks lively and is run straight into the edges; the latter looks conservative and evenness at the edges is important.  Ask for details when expansion joints are required. 

3. On the first day fix the tiles to a well-cured base (6 weeks old - BS regulation) with a good quality rapid set floor adhesive.  Allow to dry.  Grout space should be a minimum of 10 mm and less than 15 mm or else the grout will sag in the middle.  Sandstone Grout looks best.  Protect from other trades by 8' x 4' hardboard or plastic sheeting.  Many jobs have been destroyed because this was not done.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES USE CONTRACT CLEANERS TO CLEAN TILES. 

4. Apply one coat of linseed oil with a 4" paintbrush.  The tile should dry to a matt appearance.  Any excesses should be wiped up with a clean towel after 5 - 10 minutes.  This makes the grout easier to pull into spaces and clean off.  Avoid smoking and cigarette ends, which may ignite material.  Do not apply in temperatures less than 50 C. 

5. On the second day, grout the tiles with a good quality Wide-joint Sandstone Grout.  Mix to a pasty consistency (if it is too watery, salts will occur in the grout).  The level of 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 surplus grout and clean off floor before it has cured with a series of sponges and buckets of clean water.  Do not slop water all over the floor as this causes salts to occur.  Wipe with damp sponges and rinse clean every time. 

6. Allow the grout to dry out (ie 48 - 72 hours).  Rub grout scum from the tiles with a clean dry cloth.  If salts occur, apply HG Remover to these areas according to the manufacturer's instructions.  If in doubt, contact me on 087-2-623672 or 00-353-87-2623672 (Nr Irl). 

7. When the tiles and grout are totally dry, apply a second coat of Linseed Oil not only to the tile but the grout as well to prevent it staining.  The tiles and grout should absorb this solution and any excesses such as puddling should be dried up after 5 - 10 minutes with a dry cloth.  This stage is critical and the tiler must not leave the job until the whole floor area has been wiped to a matt finish.  Leave used cloths outside to prevent self-combustion. 

8. The next day, apply a coat of beeswax with a clean cloth (and not with the shining brush).  Do two courses of tiles at a time (which is approximately the length of your arm).  Allow 5 - 10 minutes to harden.  Shine with a large shoe-shine brush.  Repeat the process until the entire floor is done.  Additional applications of wax give increased hardness and shine. 

9. The client should be left with tins of wax for future maintenance and given my address for a maintenance sheet to be sent to them.  This can be obtained from the shop where the goods were bought.