Use and Care Manual

Inspection:
Always inspect your tiles before they are installed, as installation of material constitutes
acceptance. Always layout your material prior to installation to ensure the appearance meets desired
results. Any questions as to acceptability must be resolved before installation. Apollo Tile is in no
way responsible for the installation of our tiles or thereafter. The responsibility for correct
installation rests with the end user.
Installation:
• To prolong the life and beauty of your installation, it is best to secure a licensed installer
familiar with the industry standards established in the NTCA, ASTM and ANSI handbooks
for tile and trade installation.
• All substrates should be firmly fixed, flat, clean, dry and free of contaminants such as dust,
oil, paint, sealers etc. to ensure proper adhesion. Wet areas need special attention and require
appropriate substrates, e.g. concrete, cement boards (compressed sheet), and/or treated
plywood.
• The use of reinforced waterproof membranes is suggested.
• Shell mosaic tiles can be installed around gently curved surfaces. Some alterations of the tile
may be required in order to create uniformity.
• The shells can easily be cut with a curved splitting clamp, glass cutter or a wet saw. The
mesh back or plastic fronts can be easily cut with a utility knife.
• Particular care should be taken to use the correct adhesive, grout and sealants. Using wrong
setting material can cause damage to the color and beauty of glass mosaic. The installer is
responsible for choosing and using the correct installation practices to achieve an acceptable
finished product. Apollo Tile is in no way responsible for the damages caused to the shell
mosaic by wrong setting material or grout.
• Follow the adhesive and grout manufacturer’s instructions carefully. The shell mosaic is
translucent, please be sure to use a white adhesive.
• Clean excess adhesive before it completely dries on the tiles with a damp cloth or sponge.
• Grouting may be done after tile is firmly set – approximately 24 hours after installation.
Clean the surface with a clean, damp sponge. To avoid abrasion of the shell a non-sanded
grout is recommended and should be used for grout joints that are 1/8” or less with tiles
susceptible to abrasion.
• Excessive grout should be cleaned from the surface as the work progresses, while grout is
fresh and before it hardens. Prior to grouting, test in a small area to make sure the surface
does not scratch during grouting.
Care and Maintenance:
Shell mosaic tiles must be regularly cleaned and maintained to prolong the life and beauty of the tile.
• Use only a mild, pH-neutral detergent cleaner and damp sponge or rag to clean your mosaic.
• Do not use acid, alkaline, and solvent-based cleaners. They can damage and/or discolor the
tiles and the grout.
• Do not allow soap, bleach or other cleaning solutions set on the surface.
• Do not wax any part of your mosaic.
• Do not let stains sit on your mosaic’s surface for extended periods. Clean promptly.