In this case, the cladding surface is already damaged at the time of moving and these damages (abrasion, cracks, stains, scratches, damage due to chemicals) are visible on the surface, in other words, the cladding is in poor condition. In this case, it is assumed that the tiles met all the requirements of the Standards and were not defective.
Cause
Judging by the description of the defects, their formation immediately after delivery of the fully tiled surface indicates improper installation. Therefore, it is logical to consider improper installation as the cause of defects due to greater mechanical and chemical effects on the surface. This may include improper compaction of the tiles (when laying them on a cement-lime mortar on a floor surface), poor cleaning of the surface from excess mortar, grout and other building materials. In particular, such defects may be the result of an unfavorable interaction between the characteristics of chemical-mechanical stability and the work performed. In order to correctly diagnose the causes, you should start directly with the tile and check its strength, wear resistance and resistance to chemicals (naturally, you need to use tile samples for testing). If the test results show that the quality of the tile is inferior to what was agreed upon in advance, then the defect arose due to the poor quality of the material, but if not, then the cause of the defect could be improper installation.
Speaking about such defects, it must be remembered that in accordance with the Standards and the agreement between the buyer and supplier, there is a fairly wide range of indicators of wear resistance and resistance to chemicals. Naturally, tiles with the lowest ratings will be more susceptible to possible damage during installation. In this case, it is important that the installer is properly informed and takes the necessary precautions. The third possible cause of defects is the intense chemical-mechanical impact on the surface associated with the continuation of construction work (painters, carpenters, electricians) in conditions that are particularly unfavorable for the tiles (dirt, dust and other abrasive materials).
Prevention
To prevent the formation of such defects in accordance with the three possible causes indicated above, the following measures must be taken:
- the installer must have a good knowledge of the mechanical and chemical characteristics of the tile, especially if he is dealing with “fragile” tiles (this does not mean that the tile is defective, as we have already repeated many times, there are different types of ceramic surfaces, many of which are less stable than others );
- the intensity of some work, such as tamping tiles or cleaning them, is regulated in accordance with the properties of the tiles;
It is obvious that such a requirement must be met at the planning and design stage; the choice of installation methods and materials must ensure the highest efficiency of the work performed; - the tiled surface must be adequately protected in the interval between completion of installation and delivery of the tiled surface, for example, lay polyethylene sheets, wooden boards, a layer of sawdust, etc. on the floor.