Tile is an excellent material, which is very popular as a floor covering. It has undeniable advantages over other options, which makes it indispensable for repairs.
The installation process is also interesting. This is not a very complicated procedure, but you should still invite specialists who are guaranteed to do everything right, and you will be satisfied with the result. But after the laying is completed, many tile owners have a question: "How much should the coating dry and when can I start walking on it?".
Factors Affecting Tile Drying Speed
There are several parameters that have a significant impact on the drying process of the finished coating. They must be taken into account even before the start of installation in order to plan the time when you can start using it.
First of all, the temperature in the room plays a huge role. A prerequisite is a positive indicator. Otherwise, there is no point in laying - the probability is high that the installation will fail and the tile will lie unevenly and ugly.
Then pay attention to the humidity in the room. The optimal indicator would be approximately 60%. If this figure increases, it is unlikely to be able to lay a tile. In this case, the adhesive may not dry at all and the coating will not stick to the floor.
The last important factor is the level of water absorption of the base. If it is too high, then laying the tile will not work, as in the case of high humidity in the room. If the level is too low, then all the water from the glue will remain inside, which means that the tile will not stick.
How long can I walk on the tile
An unequivocal answer to the question of when you can begin to walk on the surface will not work. It also depends on the glue mixture that you have chosen.
Each manufacturer indicates the drying time on the jar, so you should pay attention to it even when buying glue. There are mixtures that dry in 5-7 hours after completion of work, but this does not mean that this will be the case with any glue.
IMPORTANT! Carefully follow the instructions and do not violate the instructions given by the manufacturer. You should not start using the tile until it finally dries - one mistake can lead to the fact that tile laying will even have to be redone. To prevent this from happening, wait a certain time and only after that start walking on the new surface.
How long does the floor tile dry in adverse conditions?
The most favorable conditions are the room temperature in the room and the average humidity level. But what to do if it is cold in the room, and it is absolutely necessary to lay the tiles?
In this case, it is necessary to heat the floor, otherwise the glue will not dry at all. It will either remain in the same state, or, at an extremely low temperature, will begin to freeze. Then, even after a very long time, it will not work to start using the floor - the coating will constantly deform, shift and even crack.
The most common mistake when laying tiles in such conditions is that the air in the room is heated, and not the floor itself. To avoid this, you must use a heat gun. In a similar situation, the glue will harden for about two days, but the result will still be satisfactory.
In addition, high humidity is a problem. Be sure to let the base dry before starting installation.
How to check if a tile has dried
It is impossible to completely determine whether a tile is stuck or not. Some try to disconnect one part of it, but it’s better not to. You can also tap on the tile - a more muffled sound indicates that there are voids.
If you notice that any part is leaving, then you should disconnect it, remove the glue and stick it on a new one.Try to wait longer than what is written on the package. So you can be sure that the coating is stuck and you can walk on it.
Now you know how much the tile dries under various conditions and what factors influence the speed of this process.
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