Tuscan Leveling System Installation Guidelines

Tuscan Leveling System Installation Guidelines

For best results, before using straps, the straps should be soaked in room temperature (or lukewarm) water for 2 hours or 30 minutes in hot water prior to use. Soaking is one time only; regardless of how long the straps are on hand. This increases the straps elastic strength, thus giving the straps maximum tension needed for proper installation.

(The proprietary nylon composition of the strap is designed to absorb sufficient moisture so it wills strength properly during installation. This strap was engineered in a way as the mortar is drying it pulls the moisture out of the strap, making the strap more brittle so that the strap can snap off cleanly after setting material drying is complete.)

The Tuscan Leveling System straps will achieve a 1/32-grout joint, if you want a wider joint, you can use the Tuscan Leveling System with most common spacers. Simply insert corner or side spacers of the desired width, up to 1 1/2 in. See Fig. 1.

Most installers find the Tuscan Leveling System works best when the thinset or mortar is mixed towards a thinner consistency but within the manufacturers specifications.

To facilitate a speedy installation, pre-assemble the straps and caps you will need for the day’s work, leaving 1-112 to 2 in. between the bottom of the caps and the strap bottom plate. See Fig. 2.

Insert pre-assembled caps and straps under the tile edge, sliding the straps base plate under the tile being installed, at least 2 per tile side, at about 2 in. to 3 in. from the corners (more for larger or more flexible tiles). The recommended spacing of each strap is 6 to 10 in. apart. See Fig. 3.

Important note: When inserting the caps and strap under the side of the tile, DO NOT place them at the tile corners. Inserting them on tile corners will prevent an accurate installation, and could crack or break the corners of the tiles when removed. It will also be very hard to keep the grout joint line straight.

Make sure you always back-butter each tile just before installation.

Once the pre-assembled cap and strap is in place you are ready to set the tiles. After the insertion of the caps and straps on the side of the tiles, install the other tiles that fit against the first tiles. After that is done, tighten the straps and caps with the installation gun (manual or ergonomic) until tile is level with adjoining tiles. See Fig. 4.

Repeat this process and upon setting the next tile into place, make sure you keep your grout joints clean of thinset by using a cut off stiff paintbrush or any stiff nylon bristle brush. This will remove any excess setting material that may have oozed up in the joints. This is easily accomplished by wiping the mud away in the direction of the grout line. Always ensure that the grout joint is clean and ready to grout. It is very important to keep mud from hardening between the touching point of the strap and the tiles edge to ensure a clean break of the strap. See Fig. 5.

If you have to quit for the day and you will be continuing the installation the

If you have to quit for the day and you will be continuing the installation the following day: make sure you remove the thinset or setting material from the last row of tiles, using the strap base to leave a small hollow spot for the following day to insert the base of the straps under it. See Fig. 6.

On the following day, begin by making sure you fill the hollow spots from the previous day with a margin trowel and ‘pack’ the tile underneath with thinset. Insert the straps and caps and start your installation again, following the same process as before. See Fig. 7.

To Tighten Cap and set Tile:

Instructions for using the Ergonomic Installation Tool

Set tool lever to STD, then turn the smaller fine adjust red knob to level #1 /5 To increase tension rotate knob clockwise, use higher STD number for setting bigger tiles. (The HVY setting is used only for breaking the straps). See Fig. 8.

Place the installation tool on the strap to lock the cap into place. Pull the installation tool trigger until the desired tension is obtained, creating a lippage free surface.

Instructions for using the Manual Installation Tool

Place the manual installation tool on the strap to lock the cap into place. Squeeze the installation tool handle until the desired tension is obtained, creating a lippage free surface. See Fig. 9

TO BREAK STRAP AFTER MORTAR HAS SET:

After setting material has properly cured, remove the straps and caps by snapping the strap off at its breaking point. On the ergonomic tool set the installation tool lever to HVY, then turn smaller fine adjust red knob to highest setting #8. See Fig. 10.

On the manual tool squeeze the installation tool handle until the strap breaks off. See Fig. 11.

CAUTION:

Breaking the strap: Some installers have reported that after the mortar has set they find it quicker to kick the caps in the direction of the grout joint so they easily break away. However, in doing this, one must use caution to avoid scratching the tile! With kicking or using a rubber mallet, you may cause the metal tongue in the cap to loosen or come out, rendering the cap useless.

Under normal use, the caps can be reused 25+ times.

DO’S	DON’TS
Place straps 2″ from corner of the tile.	Place strap at the corner of the tile.
For best results always soak in lukewarm water prior to use for 2 hours, or 1/2 hour in hot water.	Do not bend the straps prior to use.
Use at minimum 50Q F (10Q C) or above after soaking.	Do not use when frozen.
Always back butter the tile or stone during installation.
Remove excess thinset from around the strap during installation

INSTALLATION GUIDE

This guide covers Installation of 1ile and Stone using Tuscan Leveling System for Floors, using MAPEl installation systems; including self-Ieveling underlayment, and waterproofing.

SUBSTRATE PREPARATION

Prior to installation; surface shall be cleaned to remove any contaminants, dirt, dust, etc. The use of a se~-Ieveling underlayment is recommended to achieve a flatness that will accept the large dimensional1ile or Stone.

MAPEl TILE AND STONE INSTALLATION PRODUCTS

For Walls & Floors: Thin-set mortars; Polymer-Modified, Single Component, thin-set adhesive mortar such as Ultraftex LFT or Liquid-Latex Modified, Two Component System, such as Kerabondil (eralastic System or Granirapid System (Rapid Setting).

For Floors: Sell-Leveling: MAPEl, Ultraplan 1 or 2 Novoplan 2, with Primer (please consult Technical Data sheet for appropriate primer recommendations based on substrate requirements).

For Walls & Floors: Waterproofing: MAPEl, Mapelastic AquaDefense, Latex-based, Waterproofing/Crack Isolation Membrane.

For Walls & Floors: Grouting; Grout shall be; ultra color Plus, Sanded Grout for joints 1116′ to I’ (1.5 mm to 2,5 mm); Keracolor S Sanded Grout for joints 118′ to 5/8′ (3mm to19 mm); Keracolor Unsanded Grout for joints 1116″ to 118″ (1,5 to 3 mm); and Opticolor is a non-sag reaction resin for joints 1116′ to 318″ (1,5 to 10 mm) for both walls and floors.

EXPANSION JOINTS

Shall be installed where any change of plane occurs, or when transitioning corners, around penetrations, or when transitioning from the wall to the 1I00r. Consult the most current TCNA Handbook (Tile Council of North America) under Detail EJ.171.

INSTALLATION OF WATERPROOFING

MAPEl Mapleastic AquaDefense Waterproofing shall be installed on interior and exterior tile installations that are exposed to continuous wet conditions. Consult the most current MAPEl Technical Data Sheet at www.mapei.com

SETTING THE TILE

The mortar should be keyed into the substrate using the flat Side of the trowel. Comb the mortar with the notch side of the trowel to ensure proper transfer from the back of the tile to the board. Place tiles firm~ into the mortar to achieve 85% to 95% of transfer to the back of the 1ile. To achieve proper bond to substrate, allow tile and mortar assembly to set up before grouting the tile.

GROUTING THE TILE

All grout joints shall be packed full and free of voids. Please consult the most current MAPEl Technical Data Sheet at mapei.com for either cement-based grouts or epoxy grouts as to the proper installation and cleaning procedures.

WARRANTY

These recommendations are covered by; MAPEl’s Best-Backed” Warranty Program, which has been carefully designed to give optimum warranty coverage for each MAPEl product listed. For more information on installation methods, and to access product data sheets, warranties and technical services, please contact MAPEl Technical Services at 1-800-992-6273 (USA and Puerto Rico) or 1-800-361-9309 (Canada), or visit www.mapei.com.

Click Here to View Action Video – Tuscan Leveling System – Coverage Chart – Installation Guidelines
– Tuscan Leveling System Installation FAQ

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