Advice on installation and maintenance
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The following preliminary conditions are required to be checked in order for laying to be done perfectly:
- Sub-bases/screeds/stairs where Marmi Scala composite marble products are to be laid must be clean, dry and cured and not contaminated by powders, greases, waxes or paint.
- The composite marble elements to be laid must be clean and dry.
- If there is a large temperature range between the laying place and the place where the composite marble elements are stored the composite marble products should be stored at the laying place at least one day prior to laying them in order to reduce the environment temperature differential and avoid thermal shock.
FLOORING
Composite marble flooring should be laid using fast setting and hydrating elastic/deformable adhesives (such as ELASTORAPID MAPEI).
Flooring should be laid using a double spreading technique.
Minimum recommended joint width is 3 mm for flooring up to 60x60 cm in size and 5 mm for flooring with sizes larger than 60x60 cm.
To facilitate drying and prevent moisture from ponding we recommend sealing the joints in the flooring at least 3-4 days after laying the flooring, using specific products for elastic joints.
In any case it is good practice to carefully follow the instructions given by the manufacturers of the various products used.
STAIRS
Make sure that the treads and risers to be laid are clean and dry and show no signs of moisture before being laid.
We recommend using fast setting and hydrating elastic/deformable adhesives (such as ELASTORAPID MAPEI) using a double spreading technique covering the entire surface of the element and not by points in order to prevent differential tensions.
It is good practice to create the following expansion joints to permit expansion and movement:
- 10 mm from side walls
- Minimum 2 mm between tread and riser
In any case it is good practice to carefully follow the instructions given by the manufacturers of the various products used.
POST-LAYING INSTRUCTIONS
It is important to protect composite marble materials after they are laid so as to prevent damage to them. It is advisable to avoid the presence of air currents after the flooring and stairs are laid since this could cause uneven drying of the element and the adhesive and create differential tensions in them.
To this end it is also advisable to cover the flooring and/or stairs in order to have slower but uniform drying. Uneven drying of composite marble covering can cause tensions that may lead to cracks or crazing.