Frequently Asked Questions

Composite material of clay and other inorganic raw materials, generally used to coat floors and walls, being formed by extrusion, or by pressing, may be formed by other processes. It can be glazed or unglazed, in correspondence with the symbols G (glazed) or U (unglazed). The ceramic tiles are incombustible and are not affected by light. The ceramic tiles for coating are technically grouped by their water absorption class and by the manufacturing method.

When choosing the model that best harmonizes with the environment, it is very important to check if the ceramic coating model chosen is indicated for the place to be installed, in case of doubts consult our SAC.
During the survey of the area to be coated, add in the calculation the baseboard and evaluate the need for special cuts.

Technical Reserve, make sure that the footage of the purchased product is sufficient, always buy 5% of the same lot, this reserve is recommended for possible unforeseen events that may occur during the work (replacement of ceramic tiles by falling objects, need for structural repairs, among others).

Gauge is the separation / size pattern of ceramic tiles, during the manufacturing process, there are unavoidable dimensional variations that occur and are foreseen in technical standards (NBR 13818 and NBR 15463).

In order to facilitate the sealing, the ceramic tiles are separated in sizes (gauges), this separation is identified in the packaging of the product, however if the acquired footage is insufficient to finish the work, it is necessary to verify in the resale if the additional lot has the same pattern of gauge, otherwise it is essential that this separation is carried out in the work.

ALWAYS VERIFY IF THE MATERIAL ACQUIRED HAS THE SAME GAUGE PATTERN

Even rectified products may have small variations in size, so it is essential that the minimum sealing joint indicated for each type of product is respected.

The identification of shade of the ceramic tiles is used to separate the small color variations between the productions or in the same period of production, this variation is inherent to the ceramic tiles manufacturing process and occurs when the materials used pass through the burning process.

The separation of the ceramic tiles tonality is identified in the packaging of the product, however if the acquired footage is insufficient to finish the work, it is necessary to verify in the resale if the additional lot has the same tone pattern, otherwise it is essential that this separation Carried out at the site.

ALWAYS CHECK IF THE MATERIAL YOU PURCHASED HAS THE SAME TONER PATTERN

Ceramic tiles are inert to the action of light, even the ultraviolet rays do not cause color loss or fading on the surface of the ceramic material.

Use in the sealing of ceramic tiles, good quality adhesive mortar, following the mortar manufacturer's recommendation for the type of product and environment. Below are some indications of use:

ATTENTION: For special sealings like facade, floor on floor, fireplaces, grills, swimming pools, among others, it is necessary to use special mortar, indicated for the certain application.

During the receipt of the product in the work, check:

• The reference given is the same as the model you purchased;
• All boxes have the same information as GAUGE and TONALITY;
• The delivered material is in good condition.
• Store the boxes in upright position with a maximum of 3 rows stacking and in a flat, covered location;
• Attention with the movement of the product in the work, the surface of the ceramic plate is glazed, larger impacts can damage the product (superficial scratches, chipped edges etc.).

The installation of the coverings must be one of the last activities in the work, one must avoid walking on the newly sealed floor and protect the coatings of the work residues (sand, rubble etc.).

The sealing of the ceramic tiles must follow the normative recommendations of ABNT NBR 13753 - Internal or external floor covering, ABNT NBR 13754 - Internal wall covering and ABNT NBR 13755 - Exterior wall and facade cladding.

Use in the sealing of ceramic tiles good quality adhesive mortar following the mortar manufacturer's recommendation for the type of product and environment.

To ensure smooth distribution and reduce the need for trimming, we recommend simulating the pagination of the environment prior to sealing.

Respect the curing times for the installation of ceramic tiles, 28 days for curing the concreting of the base or 14 days for curing the counter-floor, grouting the coverings only after 3 days of sealing, using wide wooden planks to walk on the floor.

Use the minimum joints recommended by the manufacturer.

Immediately after settling, remove excess mortar between the boards with a soft or plastic wood stem with rounded and smooth tip, making grout easier and avoiding damage to the edges of the ceramic tile after curing the mortar.

After sealing, check if there is any sound card present, which must be removed and reset or replaced.

HIRING QUALIFIED WORK

The sealing joints are regular spaces between two adjacent ceramic tiles, the joints are required for the following functions:

a) To compensate the variation of gauge of the ceramic tiles, facilitating the alignment;
b) To attend the aesthetics, harmonizing the size of the ceramic tiles and the dimensions of the cloth to be coated with the width of the joints between the ceramic tiles;
c) To offer relative accommodation power to the movements of the base and the ceramic tiles;
d) To facilitate the perfect filling, guaranteeing the complete seal of the joint;
e) FFacilitate the exchange of ceramic tiles.

After grouting, check for cracks or defects to avoid infiltration problems. Use waterproof and anti-mold grout.

FOR COATINGS WITH RUSTIC, ROUGH OR EMBOSSED TEXTURE, APPLY A WAX LAYER TO COLORLESS FLOOR BEFORE GROUTING. THE WAX WILL FACILITATE THE REMOVAL OF THE EXCESS OF GROUT.

If in doubt, do not install the product before contacting the SAC from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

For a harmonious distribution, extend a few pieces taken randomly from various packages to check the pagination of the environment.

It is absolutely necessary to prepare the underfloor very well. This will prevent problems arising from moisture such as: efflorescence and stains on the ceramic tile. The ceramic tiles should be sealed dry on the adhesive mortar. If the ceramic plate is excessively dusty at its base, it should be removed.

Use adhesive mortar on the sealing of the floor and the wall, always following the manufacturer's instructions. Application must be with a toothed float. Make sure that the adhesive mortar meets the ABNT normative specifications.

Installation without joints may cause product detachment. The joints must guarantee the complete sealing of the ceramic tiles according to normative specifications of the ABNT.

Do not punch the boards with metal tools, to avoid tearing, chipping or other damage to the boards. For ceramic tiles with rustic and rough texture, we recommend that a layer of colorless wax be applied to the pieces before the grouting is done.

For perfect cutouts, use special cutter and all suitable tooling.

Make sure there are no "hollow" sounds on the boards. If so, it should be removed and sealed again.

The grouting should only be done 72 hours after the sealing. Immediately wipe with a soft sponge and moistened with clean water, use waterproof and anti-mold grout.

After sealing the ceramic tile must be protected against paint, oil, solvents, mortars or any abrasive material until the work is finished, equipment should not be allowed to be dragged directly in contact with the ceramic tiles. Exposure to the traffixc of people should preferably take place after seven days after the grouting.

Bright products are more susceptible to risk, regardless of the class of abrasion. If installed as a floor, ceramic tiles should be protected by providing shoe-cleaning devices (such as mats) in places where traffic is intense (access places and preferred paths), protected by furniture dragging felt, among other necessary protection. According to use.

To clean the ceramic tiles, we recommend the use of water, soap or neutral detergent only if it is necessary to use the following products:

ATTENTION: When using acids for cleaning, moisten the ceramic tiles before applying the dilution.

The LEF GROUP guarantees its quality products "A" under the following conditions:

• APPEARING DEFECTS: Those that are visible prior to placement. Complaints will only be accepted prior to placement, as determined by ISO 13006;
• LATENT DEFECTS: Those that appear after some time of use. For latent defects, the claims are directly related to the time of use. Each case will be analyzed taking into account whether they were specified and placed correctly and whether they were used under normal conditions. .

Comments:

• At least 95% of the pieces have no defects visible 1 meter away;
• WEIGHTS, COLORS AND MEASURES ARE SUBJECT TO INEVITABLE VARIATIONS, WHICH ARE TYPICAL OF THE PRODUCTIVE PROCESS;
• ONLY "A" QUALITY PRODUCTS ARE GUARANTEED.