Countertops

1. Determine if it is an acceptable type of substrate to receive a tile installation. It must be structurally sound, solid and stable.
2. When applicable, replace the substrate with an appropriate material such as exterior grade plywood or a combination of exterior grade plywood and cement board.
3. A minimum substrate thickness of 1” is recommended. This can be achieved one of 2 ways:
   1) by installing 2 layers of any 1/2” plywood – where the top layer is exterior grade plywood;
   2) by installing 1 layer of any 3/4” plywood, with a 1/4” cement backer board over the plywood.
   (The cement backer board must be fastened per manufacturer’s recommendations).
4. Clean the substrate (or existing countertop). 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 cement board substrates, tape and fill joints per the cement board manufacturer’s written instructions. For exterior-grade plywood, use acrylic caulk at the joints, allowing it to dry before setting tile.
2. If you are planning to tile over an existing finish such as existing ceramic tile, existing porcelain tile, existing natural stone, or existing laminate, contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for guidance in preparing the surface if needed.

1. Measure and mark the center points of two opposite edges on the countertop. Use a chalk line tool, china marker or pencil to create a line, connecting the two points.
2. Measure and mark the center points of the two remaining edges. Create a line connecting these points. The intersection of the two lines marks the center point of the countertop.
3. Check that lines are square by using a framing square and adjust as needed.
4. If you are using border tiles or edge trim tiles, measure and mark lines to indicate these areas.
5. Dry-fit a row of tiles (or mosaic tile sheets) by placing the tile (or sheets) 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 your layout.
7. Dry-fit all field tiles as well as border and edge trim tiles.
8. Pre-cut all tiles. Note: If you are using small mosaic tile sheets with tiles of about 1″ x 1″ (2.5 x 2.5 cm), and you prefer not to cut the tile, it is acceptable to hand-space some of the tiles to avoid cuts.

Note: Make sure you are using the right thin-set for your project. (If uncertain, please contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for guidance).

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, wipe down the substrate, and using the straight (flat) side of the trowel, apply a thin, even coat to the surface. Using a notched trowel, spread mortar while holding the trowel at a 45-degree angle to the floor.
5. 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.
6. In the same way, apply a thin coat of thin-set mortar to the back of the tile. (This does not apply to mosaic tile).
7. If using tiles larger than 15″ (38 cm) on any side, back-butter tiles before setting tile to provide uniform mortar coverage and maximum support. Otherwise, use the correct trowel for the project. Alternatively, using a thin-set formulated for large-format tiles eliminates the need for backbuttering. Contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for guidance if needed.
8. Only spread as much mortar as can be covered with tiles before the mortar skins over or loses transfer when touched.

Note: If mesh-backed mosaic tile sheets are used, skip Step 5 and go to Step 6.

1. Place the first field tile at the intersection of the layout lines, making sure that the tile is properly aligned with both chalk 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, and there should be no 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 and straight, uniform grout joints.
7. Allow field tiles to dry to a firm set, and then install border tile and edge trim tiles. 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 and avoid disturbing the tile.
9. (Go to Step 7.)

Note: Follow the written instructions of the mosaic tile’s manufacturer when instructions are provided.

1. Gently place the first sheet of tiles at the intersection of the layout lines, making sure that the sheet is properly aligned with both chalk lines.
2. Gently place additional sheets in position on the substrate.
3. Using a soft foam rubber grout float , place the float flat against the top surface of the sheet and apply gentle pressure. This will ensure that the mortar transfers to the back of the mosaic tile and that the tile is in an even plane with the adjacent mosaic tile sheets. Avoid pushing too hard, which will result in mortar coming upward and filling the grout joints.
4. Check several of the installed mosaic tile sheets for adequate mortar coverage by lifting them up. All of the ridges should be collapsed, and there should be no voids or trowel lines. Mortar should also cover the entire back of each individual tile sheet without voids or trowel lines. Note: This is especially important for clear and translucent glass tiles.
5. Keep a damp sponge nearby for quick cleanup in case mortar is dropped on the tiles or any other surfaces.
6. Keep grout joints free of mortar.
7. Place plenty of spacers in between mosaic tile sheets to ensure even spacing between tiles and straight, uniform grout joints.
8. Allow mosaic tile sheets to dry to a firm set, and then install border tile and edge trim tiles. Refer to the instructions on the package of mortar or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for recommended drying times.
9. Protect the area from use and avoid disturbing the tile.

1. Allow all tiles to dry to a firm set. Refer to the instructions on the package or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for recommended drying times.
2. Remove the spacers.
3. Certain types of tiles – such as heavily pitted tiles, unglazed tiles, and tiles with textured surfaces such as some wood-look tiles – may require special preparation prior to grouting. The application of a pre-grouting sealer may be necessary to prevent grout haze and permanent staining of the tile. Contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for guidance if needed.

Note: Make sure you are using the right grout for your project. (If uncertain, please contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for guidance).

1. Moisten the surface of the tile with a damp sponge.
2. If Keracolor^® U Unsanded Grout, Keracolor S Sanded Grout or Ultracolor^® 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 Unsanded Grout or Keracolor S Sanded Grout, mix the entire bag of grout with 3/4 (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.
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 grouting a large area with Ultracolor Plus FA or MAPEI Flexcolor^® CQ, 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. Note: This is especially important when using a rapid-setting cement-based grout such as MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA.
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 on hand will simplify this process.
5. If grouting with MAPEI Keracolor S Sanded Grout or MAPEI Keracolor U Unsanded 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.
6. 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.

1. Apply flexible caulk such as MAPEI Mapesil T^® Plus in areas of movement such as wall/countertop transitions, countertop/backsplash line and the sink/countertop line.