Surface Preparation
Before tiling, ensure that all surfaces are clean, firm, and free from dust, dirt, oil, grease, or any other substances that could hinder adhesion. The substrate must be robust enough to support the weight of the tiles. Check that the background has had adequate drying time as specified in the relevant sections of BS 5385, and prime it if necessary before tile application. Adhere to the guidelines in BS 5385 and BS 8000: Part 11 for workmanship. Backgrounds intended for ceramic tiles should meet Surface Regularity 1 standards, meaning that gaps under a 2m straight edge should not exceed 3mm.
For mixing, use approximately 5.4 liters of water per 20kg bag of ARDEX X 11 W. Do not exceed the maximum water content. Allow the mixed adhesive to stand for 2 minutes before remixing for 30 seconds, using a slow-speed electric drill (under 300rpm). Apply the adhesive at temperatures above 5°C. The pot life of the mixed mortar is approximately 2.5 hours at 20°C.
Application
Apply the mixed mortar to the prepared surface using a trowel, then comb through it with a suitably sized notched trowel to create a ribbed mortar bed. Fix the tiles within the open time of the adhesive, pressing them into place with a twisting and sliding motion to ensure proper contact. For wall tiling in dry internal areas, ensure maximum adhesive contact between the tile and the adhesive. Tiles smaller than 0.1 m² but heavier than 70% of the background’s load capacity should be solidly bedded, while tiles 0.1 m² or larger must also be solidly bedded. When tiling floors, wet areas, or external locations, butter the back of the tiles to achieve a solid bed and avoid voids. Select the notched trowel size based on tile size, surface type, tile back profile, and required coverage. ARDEX X 11 W can be used up to 8mm thick for floor surfaces, and up to 15mm thick in isolated areas up to 0.5m² for uncalibrated stone on concrete or cement screeds. It is suitable for both dry and moist surfaces, but moisture-sensitive materials must be dry and remain dry after installation. For wet locations, use ARDEX WPC Waterproof Protection System to create a waterproof barrier.
Mixing
Add ARDEX X 11 W powder to clean water in a clean container and mix thoroughly to achieve a slump-free, workable mortar. Use an ARDEX mixing paddle with a 10mm chuck and variable-speed electric drill for best results. The mix ratio is approximately 3.5 to 4 parts powder to 1 part water by volume. ARDEX X 11 W provides an open time of up to 45 minutes when mixed according to BS EN 12004. For optimal results, fix tiles within 30 minutes and they can be adjusted for up to 15 minutes at 20°C.
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