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LAYING  CEMENT  TILES,  IMPREGNATION  AND  MAINTENANCE

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CORRECT INSTALLATION AND A LONG SERVICE LIFE OF THE PAVING

Thank you for choosing MANU TILES cement tiles.


Our cement tiles are produced using traditional craftsmanship in Morocco. Each tile is unique, and individual pieces may therefore vary slightly in shade, texture or pattern. These characteristics are not defects in the product, but rather confirm its uniqueness.

It is important to follow the procedure below to ensure correct installation, a long service life for the tiles and the preservation of their appearance.


1 / INSPECTING THE TILES

Before starting the installation, carefully inspect all the tiles supplied.

  • Check the dimensions, colour and overall condition of the tiles.
  • Do not lay tiles that are mechanically damaged or defective.
  • When laying the tiles, take them from several boxes at the same time to ensure a natural mix of shades.
  • Once the tiles have been laid, their appearance is deemed to have been accepted.


2 / PREPARING THE SUBSTRATE

Before laying, it is essential to check that all conditions for the correct installation of cement tiles are met.

The substrate must be:

  • solid,
  • dry,
  • clean,
  • perfectly level,
  • free from dust, grease, oil and loose particles,
  • and the substrate should be sufficiently dry.

In the event of unevenness, we recommend levelling the substrate with a suitable self-levelling compound before laying.

Before bonding, we recommend priming the substrate with a suitable primer in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations for the construction chemicals.


3 / DRY LAYOUT OF TILES

Before grouting, we recommend laying out the tiles dry.

This allows you to check:

  • pattern alignment,
  • colour distribution,
  • the overall appearance of the tiled area.


4 / TILING

Use a high-quality white flexible adhesive suitable for cement-based tiles or natural stone.

Recommended procedure:

  • apply the adhesive to both the substrate and the back of the tile (Buttering-Floating method),
  • lay the tiles carefully without moving them once they are on the layer of adhesive,
  • do not use heavy blows or excessive force,
  • the recommended joint width is 2–3 mm,
  • check the flatness of the surface as you go,
  • remove any excess adhesive immediately.

Once laying is complete, allow the adhesive to cure in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.


5 / FIRST SEALANT APPLICATION

Once the adhesive has cured and before grouting, the tiles must be sealed.

Recommended product:

IMPREGNATION FILA W68

  • Apply the first coat of sealant evenly to a clean and dry surface.
  • Allow the impregnation to dry completely in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.


6 / GROUTING

Once the first coat of impregnation has dried, you can proceed with grouting.

We recommend using a high-quality cement-based grout with a finer grain size suitable for cement tiles.

When grouting:

  • work in small sections,
  • remove any excess grout immediately using a damp sponge, wiping several times in succession,
  • never allow the grout to dry on the surface of the tiles,
  • always check that no grout residue remains anywhere,
  • do not use a metal trowel; use a rubber trowel instead.


7 / DEEP CLEANING

If the surface becomes soiled after grouting, Fila Cleaner PRO can be used for deep cleaning at a higher concentration, in accordance with the product's package leaflet.

FILA CLEANER PRO

This is a neutral cleaning agent which:

  • gently cleans the surface,
  • does not damage the impregnation,
  • helps to preserve the natural appearance of the tiles.


8 / SECOND IMPREGNATION

Once the grout has dried completely, apply a second coat of impregnation.

Use:

IMPREGNATION FILA W68 

  • For high-traffic areas (kitchens, entrance halls, restaurants, commercial premises or bathrooms), we also recommend applying a third coat of impregnation.
  • Apply each subsequent coat only once the previous coat has dried completely.


9 / REGULAR MAINTENANCE

For routine maintenance, we recommend using:

FILA CLEANER PRO

This is a neutral cleaning agent which:

  • gently cleans the surface,
  • does not damage the impregnation,
  • helps to preserve the natural appearance of the tiles.

Do not use:

  • acidic cleaning agents,
  • strongly alkaline agents,
  • abrasive cleaning products,
  • scouring pads or other coarse tools.

We recommend removing any spilled liquids as soon as possible.


10 / INSTALLATION IN BATHROOMS AND SHOWER ENCLOSURES

Cement tiles are also suitable for bathrooms and shower enclosures, provided they are laid and treated correctly.

Waterproofing

Before laying, the substrate must be treated with a high-quality waterproofing screed designed for damp areas.

We recommend applying waterproofing in particular:

  • to bathroom floors,
  • to shower enclosure walls,
  • around baths,
  • behind washbasins,
  • in all areas where there may be prolonged exposure to water.

All corners, edges, pipe penetrations and expansion joints must be sealed with waterproofing tapes and collars in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations for the waterproofing system.

The waterproofing must be fully cured before the tiles are laid.

Tiling

We recommend using a high-quality, flexible tile adhesive.

Impregnation

In shower cubicles, we recommend:

  • a coat of FILA W68 impregnation before grouting,
  • a coat after grouting,
  • a coat of impregnation as additional surface protection,
  • to be applied every 2–3 years.

Important

  • Waterproofing protects the building structure against water ingress.
  • Waterproofing protects the cement tiles themselves against water absorption and soiling.
  • Waterproofing does not replace impregnation, and impregnation does not replace waterproofing.
  • Both layers of protection are essential for the bathroom to function properly.


11 / BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PROCEDURE

  • Check all the tiles.
  • Prepare and prime the substrate.
  • Lay out the tiles without adhesive.
  • Lay the tiles using a high-quality flexible adhesive.
  • Allow the adhesive to set.
  • Apply the first coat of FILA W68 impregnation.
  • Grout the tiles.
  • Allow the grout to dry thoroughly.
  • Apply the second coat of FILA W68 impregnation.
  • For areas subject to heavier wear, apply a third coat of impregnation.
  • For routine maintenance, use FILA CLEANER PRO.


12 / IMPORTANT NOTICE

This document is intended solely as a general guide to the installation, waterproofing and maintenance of MANU TILES cement tiles.

As each project may differ in terms of substrate type, environment, materials used and construction conditions, we recommend that the installation be carried out by an experienced professional.

During installation, it is always necessary to follow the technical procedures and recommendations of the manufacturers of all materials used (adhesives, waterproofing products, grouts, impregnating agents and cleaning products).

MANU TILES accepts no liability for damage caused by incorrect installation, unsuitable materials, failure to follow technical procedures or unprofessional installation.

In the event of any uncertainty, we recommend consulting a qualified tiler or specialist installer regarding the installation procedure before commencing work.

MANU TILES reserves the right to update this document on an ongoing basis in line with the latest technical findings, practical experience and recommendations from manufacturers of construction chemicals.

By following these instructions, you will ensure a long service life, high durability and the preservation of the natural beauty of MANU TILES cement tiles for many years to come.