Installation Guide

Grout
The grout, whether it is for
external or internal use, should be
suitable for joints up to 1/2" wide. Generally grouts are water-
mix, but where some exibility may be needed, then a latex
additive should be used in place of or with water.
Sealing
It is recommended that the stone tiles be sealed with a quality
impregnator before and after grouting. For use in and around
water, a water repelling sealer is recommended to ensure
longevity. A color enhancer may be applied to bring out the
true color of the stone at any time after grouting. Do not
use oil based sealers!
Discolored Pebbles
Before sealing, if any pebbles are yellowed from contact with
glue, a solution of bleach and water applied to the surface will
remove any discoloration.
Curved Surfaces
Tile Connection pebble sheets can be easily tted around a
gently curved surface – a column, for example. If the sheet
is turned around a right angle, some stones will need to be
plucked o the mat where they are distorted at the corner
point. They should be replaced with smaller pebbles to
maintain uniformity.
Waterproof Membranes
These prevent water from leaking through to sub-oor framing
and/or habitable spaces below. Particular attention must be
paid to carrying the membrane up the wall, outside shower
boxes, installation of bond breakers and sealing around
penetrations. It is strongly recommended that membrane
systems are used in all wet areas.
T.C.N.A.
All installations of pebble and random tile should meet or
exceed the guidelines and specications as outlined by the
Tile Council of North America. Refer to www.tileusa.com.
PEBBLE AND MARBLE MESHED
Please read carefully before installing.
tileconnection.com
Inspection
No two pieces of natural stone are exactly alike. Tiles must be
inspected prior to installation to ensure that no blending is
required. No claims will be accepted by Tile Connection after
installation. Use of product implies acceptance.
Substrate
All substrates should be rmly xed, at, clean, dry and free of
contaminants. Deection should be a maximum of 1/360th of
the span for walls or oors. Wet areas require special attention
involving appropriate substrates (e.g concrete, compressed
sheet, gib aqualine, H3 treated plywood), the use of reinforced
waterproof membranes and, in the case of oors, a fall of the
drainage point of not less than 1:60.
Adhesive
Cement-based adhesives (thin-set) are generally suitable on
masonry substrates where no movement is anticipated. Where
slight movement could occur through thermal or pedestrian
loads, a modied cement adhesive (probably 2-part) should be
used as a minimum. It is important that each pebble is
embedded in the adhesive. Select a product suitable for
application with a 1/4" notched trowel.
Control Joints
There are numerous reasons for building movement. Control
joints are an eective way of minimizing potential damage.
By dividing a larger tiled area into a series of smaller ones,
joints can be easily formed with two angles; sealant and bond
breaker between them.
Laying and
Joint Hiding
Interlocking pebble tiles are
designed to achieve a no-
joint look. For best visual
results , Tile Connection
recommends the tiler butt
tiles together and not leave
the traditional 1/4" to 3/8"
grout gap when laying
ceramic tiles. Before
grouting, inspect that all pebbles are properly installed.
Remove and re-adhere any particular pebble that may have
been placed incorrectly.
Note: It is recommended that the grout level not be much
higher than the maximum girth of the pebbles. In this way,
more pebble is seen with less grout. The pebbles should be
as visible as possible.
– Optimum grout level
– Adhesive
– Suboor
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES AND
CONDITIONS OF PURCHASE