Exteriors

1. Determine if it is an acceptable type of exterior substrate to receive an exterior floor installation. It must be structurally sound, solid and stable.
2. For other exterior substrates MAPEI recommends that you hire a professional contractor.
3. Clean the exterior concrete substrate. All substrates should be clean, dry and free of dust, dirt, oil, grease, paint, tar, wax, soap, concrete curing compounds, concrete color stains, concrete sealers, clear coats, loosely bonded toppings, any primers that are not MAPEI brand, old adhesive residues (unless otherwise recommended by MAPEI), and any other substance that may prevent, reduce or affect adhesion or performance.

1. For concrete substrates, fill holes and low spots (bird baths) with an exterior-approved patching compound.
2. For cement board substrates, tape and fill joints per the cement board manufacturer’s written instructions.

1. For concrete substrates, apply MAPEI’s Mapelastic^® AquaDefense to protect the concrete from absorbing excess water and increase the longevity of the installation.
2. For cement board over wood decks, apply MAPEI’s Mapelastic AquaDefense over the cement board to protect the wood deck from premature water damage and improve the performance of the installation.
3. Note that MAPEI’s Mapelastic AquaDefense is not a roofing membrane and should not be used on decks over living spaces or storage areas.

1. Measure and mark the center points of two opposite walls or edges. Create a chalk line using a chalk line tool to connect the two points.
2. Measure and mark the center points of the two remaining walls or edges. Create a line connecting these points. The intersection of the two lines marks the center point of the floor.
3. Check that lines are square by using a framing square and adjust as needed.
4. If border tiles are being used, measure and mark lines to indicate these areas.
5. Dry-fit a row of tiles by placing the tile in position with spacers along reference lines to check for accuracy and determine tile cuts. Adjust reference lines as needed.
6. Take time to carefully plan the layout.
7. Dry-fit all field tiles as well as border tiles.
8. Pre-cut all tiles.

Check weather conditions before beginning. The area should be protected from rain, frost and freezing temperatures for several days. Refer to current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages or contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department regarding the time required before exposure to adverse weather conditions.

1. Measure water amounts carefully. Mix the mortar according to the instructions on the package. Refer to current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for detailed instructions.
2. Select a notched trowel size that is appropriate for the size of the tile. Contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for guidance if needed.
3. Using a notched trowel, spread mortar while holding the trowel at a 45-degree angle to the floor.
4. First, using the straight (flat) side of the trowel, apply a thin and even coat to the surface. Follow immediately with more mortar and “comb” the mortar in one direction, using the notched side of the trowel to achieve an even-setting bed. If the tiles are larger than 15″ (38 cm) on any side, back-butter tiles before setting them to provide uniform mortar coverage and maximum support.
5. Only spread as much mortar as can be covered with tiles before the mortar skins over or loses transfer when touched.

1. Place the first field tiles at the intersection of the layout lines, making sure the tile is properly aligned with both layout lines.
2. Continue to place the field tiles in position on the substrate and firmly apply pressure to the face of the tile while moving the tile back and forth perpendicular to the trowel ridges. This helps to ensure that the mortar transfers to the back of the tile and that the tile is in an even plane with adjacent tiles.
3. Check several of the set tiles for adequate mortar coverage by lifting them up. All of the ridges should be collapsed without voids or trowel lines. Mortar should also cover the entire back of the tile without voids or trowel lines.
4. Keep a damp sponge nearby for quick cleanup in case mortar is dropped on the tiles or any other surfaces.
5. Keep grout joints free of mortar.
6. Place plenty of spacers in between tiles to ensure even spacing between tiles in addition to straight, uniform grout joints.
7. Allow field tiles to dry to a firm set and then install border tile. Refer to the instructions on the package of mortar or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for recommended drying times.
8. Protect the area from use. Avoid walking on the tile.
9. Protect the area from rain, frost and freezing temperatures.

Check weather conditions prior to beginning. During warm weather months, avoid working in indirect sunlight and schedule grouting for the cooler part of the day such as early morning hours. You should also protect the area from rain, frost and freezing temperatures for several days. Refer to current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages or contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department regarding the time required before exposure to adverse weather conditions.

1. Allow tiles to dry until a firm set. Refer to the instructions on the package or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for recommended drying times. Note: Cooler temperatures will extend drying and curing times.
2. Remove the spacers.
3. Certain types of tiles – such as cement pavers, heavily pitted tiles, unglazed tiles, and tiles that have textured surfaces such as some wood-look tiles – may require special preparation before grouting. The application of a pre-grouting sealer may be necessary to prevent grout haze and permanent staining of the tile.

1. Moisten the surface of the tile with a damp sponge.
2. If Keracolor U, Keracolor S or UltraCare Plus FA grout is used, measure water amounts and do not add any extra water. Mix the grout according to the instructions on the package. Refer to current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for detailed instructions.
3. If MAPEI’s UltraCare^® Grout Maximizer additive is used with Keracolor U or Keracolor S grout, mix the entire bag of grout with ¾ (75%) of the coordinating unit of UltraCare Grout Maximizer and do not add any water. Add some or all of the reserved UltraCare Grout Maximizer as needed in order to reach a sticky paste consistency similar to creamy peanut butter. If using MAPEI Flexcolor CQ ready-to-use grout, be sure to have proper slope on floor applications.
4. Next, holding the grout float at a 45-degree angle, force grout into the joints to completely fill the joints with no voids.
5. When the installation area is large, grout and clean one section at a time rather than applying grout over the entire tile area.
6. Remove excess grout from the tile surface by moving the rubber float at a 90-degree angle across the tile in a diagonal direction.

1. Refer to the instructions on the grout package or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for cleaning instructions.
2. Never allow the grout to remain on the surface of the tiles for an extended length of time before completing the initial cleaning.
3. After each wipedown, rinse and wring out the sponge so that no excess water stays on the tile surface.
4. Change the rinse water frequently. Having multiple buckets of clean water at hand will simplify this process.
5. Make sure that all tiles are thoroughly cleaned before the grout dries. Note: This is especially important when using a rapid-setting cement-based grout such as MAPEI’s Ultracolor Plus FA.
6. If grouting with MAPEI’s Keracolor S or Keracolor U grout, come back about an hour later and check the tile for any residual haze. If needed, buff the tiles with a dry terrycloth towel to remove any remaining haze. Contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department if the grout haze persists.
7. If using MAPEI Flexcolor^® CQ grout, perform a second wash and use a light-duty scrubpad (the kind that is safe for china) to remove any remaining haze. Contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department if the grout haze persists.
8. If grouting with MAPEI’s Ultracolor Plus FA , all residual grout haze must be removed from the tile surface within 30 minutes to one hour after grouting.
9. If grouting with MAPEI’s Kerapoxy CQ, contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for haze removal instructions.
10. Protect the area from use. Avoid walking on the tile.
11. Protect the area from rain, frost and freezing temperatures.

1. Be sure to use Mapesil T 100%-silicone sealant for expansion joints and any change-of-plane areas (between horizontal and vertical surfaces).