Checklist - Before / During / After marble and granite finishes

CHECKLIST

Final inspection of stone tiling works

1. Jointing

1.1 Tile size should be consistent within ± 1% (or) up to 3mm (or) according to specifications (whichever is

stricter).

1.2 Joints are aligned and consistent with skirting and wall tiles.

1. Jointing (cont.)

1. Jointing (cont.)

1.3 Consistent skirting thickness.

1. Jointing (cont.)

1.4 Consistent and neat pointing.

2. Finishing

2.1 Mortar stains or paint drips should not be seen.

2. Finishing (cont.)

2.2 Consistent colour tone.

3. Evenness

3.1 Surface are even (not more than 3mm over 1.2m) and levelled to proper falls in wet areas.

3. Evenness (cont.)

3.2 Lippage between 2 tiles should not be more than 1mm.

4. Cracks & Damages

4.1 From a distance of 1.5m, no visible chips, cracks and other damages.

4. Cracks & Damages (cont.)4.1 (cont.) other damages.

5. Hollowness

5.1 No hollow sound when tapped with a hard object.

PROTECTION

Preventing damages and rework.

Protection Works

Protection should provided immediately after completion.

How? Mopping away all dust,

dirt and grit. Covering with

corrugate sheets / polyethylene sheet / cardboard / wooden board (heavy traffic).

Protection Works (cont.)

Site control : No traffic is permitted for 4 days after

completion of tile flooring


The 4th day – 10th day, only light foot traffic is permitted.

Caution ! When using sawdust, may cause staining.


Stone walls : Prohibited impact vibration and hammering

on adjacent / or backside of wall. Immediately after completion, as long as the

proper curing time of materials requires.

Proper co-ordination among construction trades: Prescheduled exact time-windows for

contractors to access site. Prevent work conflicts

COMMON COMPLAINTSUnderstand the complaints and Prevent them.

Common Complaints from Owners

Jointing

Common Complains Possible Causes Recommendations

1.1 Out of alignment

a) Inconsistent dimensions of stone tiles.

b) Poor workmanship i.e. tiles not properly aligned during installation.

Select suitable stone. Use skilled workers.


Finishing


2.1 Efflorescence a) Salts within stone and / or bedding material.

b) Moisture getting into adhesive from under the floor or through tile joints.

Avoid excessive wetting.

Use proper waterproofing.


Finishing


2.2 Inconsistent tonality

a) Choice of materials with excessive colour variations.

b) Lack of pre-laying to ensure colour variation is acceptable.

c) Prolonged dampness due to water ingress.

Select suitable stone.

Carry out pre-lay.

Use proper waterproofing.


Finishing


2.3 Pinholes a) Use of porous marble without proper care.

b) Inherent characteristics in stone.

Patching marble in factory.

Inherent.


FinishingCommon Complains

Possible Causes Recommendations

2.4 Splotches or dull areas in polished surfaces.

a) Spillage and left-over of food and cosmetic products.

b) Cleaning solution such as acidic and strong alkaline cleaners.

c) Alkalinity of cement based grouts.

d) Efflorescence.

e) Inherent characteristics in stone.

Avoid spillage / quick cleaning.

Use suitable cleaning solution.

Use suitable grout.

Avoid excessive wetting.

Minimize exposure to sunlight.

Inherent.


Evenness


3.1 Uneven surface or lippage

a) Warped stone tiles.

b) Varied stone tile thickness.

c) Uneven substrate or cement / sand screed.

d) Incorrect bedding thickness.

Proper dimensional stability.

Correct tile thickness.

Proper surface preparation.

Use proper tools.


Evenness (cont.)Common Complains Possible Causes Recommendations

3.1 Uneven surface or lippage

d) Lack of consideration for curing of bedding material.

e) Insufficient levelling of each individual tile.

f) Insufficient tapping of the tiles into position.

g) Premature loading onto freshly completed stone.

Enough time to be allowed for curing.

Ensure stones are even and level using sprit level.

Ensure stones are uniformly tapped into place.

Proper protection.


Cracks and DamagesCommon Complains Possible Causes Recommendations

4.1 Cracks a) Inadequate expansion or control joints.

b) Tiles laid over crack.

c) Cutting and poor handling.

d) Direct impact.

e) Damage by other trade after laying if unprotected.

Allow movement joints.

Need special treatment.

Use proper tools.

Proper protection.

Proper protection.


Cracks and Damages (cont.)Common Complains Possible Causes Recommendations

4.1 Cracks (cont.) f) Inherent characteristics of stones such as natural veins for e.g. stylolites.

g) Excessive external vibration.

Inherent.

No butt joint. Allow movement joint.



4.2 Chipping / jagged edges

a) Direct impact.

b) Damage by other trade after laying if unprotected.

c) Poor cutting and handling.

d) Butt joint / not sufficient movement joint.

Proper protection.

Proper protection.

Use proper tools.

No butt joint. Allow movement joint.



4.3 Adhesion failure a) Inadequate provision of expansion or control joints.

b) Inadequate stone and bedding material.

c) Concrete or cement / sand screed not properly cured and drying shrinkage cracks occur after stone installation.

Allow movement joints.

Use suitable materials.

Allow sufficient curing.



4.3 Adhesion failure (cont.)

d) Substrate not properly cleaned and prepared.

e) Contamination of the back of stone tiles by dust and dirt deposited.

f) Incompatible resin used to secure the nylon reinforcement.

g) Incompatible sealer used.

Proper surface preparation.

Clean back of tiles before installation.

Check compatibility of resin used.

Check compatibility of sealer used.


Cracks and Damages (cont.)


4.3 Adhesion failure (cont.)

g) Incorrect installation of stone tiles e.g. insufficient tapping of tiles into position or tiles were applied onto the adhesive layer after the “open time” had lapsed.

h) Inadequate provision of mechanical key in tiles.

Installed stone according to recommended installation methods.

Allow adequate mechanical key or use appropriate adhesive.


HollownessCommon Complains Possible Causes Recommendations

5.1 “Hollow” sound a) Stone set on a concrete slab over a large open area.

b) Air entrapped or void in either the setting bed or slab, causing one part of the floor to sound differently than another.

c) There may be voids within stone.

Acoustical effect rather than bonding problems.

Stone to be properly laid.

Select suitable stone.


Hollowness (cont.)Common Complains Possible Causes Recommendations

5.1 “Hollow” sound (cont.)

d) Separation or waterproofing membranes installed between a slab and the bedding material.

e) Elevation of subsurface is irregular, causing one part of the floor to sound differently than another.

Acoustical effect rather than bonding problems.

Stone to be properly laid.


Hollowness (cont.)Common Complains Possible Causes Recommendations

5.1 “Hollow” sound (cont.)

f) The back surface of the stone unit may be irregular rather than flat, causing one part of the floor to sound differently than another.

Stone to be solidly bedded.

Checklist - Before / During / After marble and granite finishes

Design

common complaints

damages common

owners evenness common

proper protection

owners cracks

cracks damages

protection works protection

suitable stone