For
a Ceramic Floor Tile Installation
Using
The Correct Membrane Is Vital
If
you have radiant heat and are planning a ceramic floor
tile installation, then understanding the function of
membranes will certain be beneficial. This article will
teach you about various membranes in conjunction with
radiant heat, so that your floor tile installation will
be done properly.
There
have been many tragic ceramic floor tile installation
disasters by using the wrong membranes or none at all.
If the membranes and/or bonding mortars are not compatible
your bond will be lost and problems will occur.
With
a floor tile installation make sure your membranes meet
current ANSI standards and that manufacturers instructions
are followed properly.
With
floor tile installations, membranes are used for a variety
of reasons, each having a specific purpose, such as moisture
vapor emission membranes, cork underlay, peel and stick
membranes and liquid or trowel applied membranes.
A
load bearing, bonded, uncoupling membrane is also a full
coverage membrane, but it’s made of thicker material than
the anti-fracture membrane. The air cavities that are
pressed into its surface allow for lateral movement.
A
cleavage membrane is not bonded to the concrete. The function
of this membrane is to separate the tile assembly from
the concrete and isolate the wire-reinforced mortar bed
and the ceramic floor tile installation from any instability
in the wood or concrete sub-floor.
A
crack isolation membrane is bonded to the sub-floor to
cover existing shrinkage cracks and must cover three times
the width of the floor tile used, with a minimum width
of 6 inches.
An
anti-fracture membrane is also bonded to the sub-floor,
but this membrane needs to fully cover the sub-floor in
order to protect against shrinkage, moisture and expansion
and/or contraction of the concrete.
With
a radiant heat system a moisture barrier is important
in controling moisture and stoping liquid from passing
through. Always consider all of the options, because the
improper use of a membrane may trap moisture and cuase
condensation.
Just
remember that when you’re doing a ceramic floor tile installation
make sure that you use the correct membrane especially
if you have in-floor radiant heating otherwise you could
end up with cracked tile and grout and an expensive repair
bill. -- Resource Box --
This article may be distributed freely on your website, as long as this
entire article, including links and this resource box
are unchanged.
Copyright 2006 Larry Lang All Rights Reserved.
Lang Enterprises Inc.
www.radiantheatingdisasters.com
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