COLD WEATHER DISCUSSION

George,

Porcelain tiles are considered impervious because of the low absorption rate that they have.

Porcelain tiles have an absorption rate that goes from .5% to 3% and they are still considered impervious (even at 3%) and made for freeze/thaw conditions in the most extreme environments. There is a plaza at Mount Rushmore where all LATICRETE products were used and it is still there today, but the grout is a Portland cement based grout that had a latex additive put in it. The absorption rate of this grout is around 3.5%. I don’t know that Vermont is going to be more extreme than South Dakota and we have no problems at this installation site.

There is no product (tile or grout) on the market these days that does not have an absorption rate.

.5% is just about as good as you can get (we only have one product that beats it and it is an industrial epoxy grout with an absorption rate of .16%).

How are you going to get the sealant to soak in if you have a .5% absorption rate?

Mark Brooks
Technical Services Supervisor
mabrooks@laticrete.com

From: George Fishman [ HYPERLINK "mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net" mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 9:01 PM
To: Mark Brooks
Subject: Re: Web request for technical service - followup

Mark, the cold resistance part is great (actually minus 40 is what your literature says), but what about the water absorption -- 0.5% isn’t a lot, unless it’s enough to cause intrusion of some droplets that pop tiles. That’s what I keep coming back to and why I want to know if you can advise a sealant. If it were waterproof then we wouldn’t have an issue to resolve.

Thanks,
George

From: Mark Brooks <mabrooks@laticrete.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2006 17:51:22 -0400
To: George Fishman <gfmosaics@bellsouth.net>
Conversation: Web request for technical service - followup
Subject: RE: Web request for technical service - followup

George,

LATICRETE SpectraLOCK Grout has no minimum temperature. It can withstand any temperature that mother nature can throw at it.

Mark Brooks
Technical Services Supervisor
mabrooks@laticrete.com

From: George Fishman [ HYPERLINK "mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net" mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net] < HYPERLINK "mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net%5d" mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net%5d>
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 3:41 PM
To: Mark Brooks
Subject: Re: Web request for technical service - followup

Mark,
It could get minus 30 degrees F.. Will be installed in granite memorial in cemetery -- outdoors in Vermont. Since water penetration (0.5%) is possible, I would certainly prefer to suggest application of a sealant. Anything to reduce potential hazard is a plus. But obviously it needs to be compatible.
Thanks,
George

George,

How cold?

To my knowledge, there are no issues regarding LATICRETE SpectraLOCK Grout in extremely cold environments, but for clarification I need to know exactly how cold we are talking about.

Please let me know when you get an opportunity.

Thanks,

Mark Brooks
Technical Services Supervisor
mabrooks@laticrete.com

From: George Fishman [ HYPERLINK "mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net" mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 2:08 PM
To: Mark Brooks
Subject: Re: Web request for technical service - followup

Mark,
I don’t see anything in your Spectralock literature about low-temp cautions or special procedures (post-application). What’s your company’s experience with Spectralock in extreme cold environments?

This is a very small project — esp for you — but poses great hazard to my wallet and reputation. I would really appreciate your help.
Thanks,
George

From: George Fishman <gfmosaics@bellsouth.net>
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2006 18:13:34 -0400
To: Mark Brooks <mabrooks@laticrete.com>
Conversation: Web request for technical service - followup
Subject: Re: Web request for technical service - followup

Mark,

I’m floored. The main reason I thought Spectralock was the best choice is that it would keep all water out. Is there a penetrating sealant you know will accomplish that? This is an area where it can get 30 below zero. I see it’s rated for minus 40 degrees.

I know the Latasil will protect the edges, but I’m terrified of water getting into the grout and popping glass. What’s going to protect our reputation?

Thanks for your concern and help
Best regards,
George

From: Mark Brooks <mabrooks@laticrete.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2006 16:30:27 -0400
To: George Fishman <gfmosaics@bellsouth.net>
Conversation: Web request for technical service - followup
Subject: RE: Web request for technical service - followup

George,

You are absolutely correct.

If any of the LATAPOXY 300 Epoxy Adhesive oozes out it needs to be removed while it is wet because after it dries, you won’t be able to remove it.

An epoxy grout has an absorption rate of .5% so you may get a small amount of water penetration.

LATICRETE Latasil Tile and Stone Sealant can be used around the edges and I would recommend taping off the areas that you will be using the silicone on so you don’t have to come back and try to remove it after the fact.

Mark Brooks
Technical Services Supervisor
mabrooks@laticrete.com

From: George Fishman [ HYPERLINK "mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net" mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net] < HYPERLINK "mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net%5d" mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net%5d>
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 3:01 PM
To: Mark Brooks
Subject: Re: Web request for technical service - followup

Mark, Actually, there should be no water entering through the epoxy grout (or the solid granite slab), so we’re covered there. I understand that voids are undesirable in any case and I will certainly recommend that he clamp. He’s a furniture maker, so clamps are one thing he’s sure to have in abundance!

Once Latapoxy has set up, is Latasil appropriate to fill the gap around sides of panel?

Actually I planned to suggest that the Latapoxy be scraped back if it oozes up in the groove around sides of backer panel during clamping, so that a flexible material (the Latasil) connects panel/mosaic to side surfaces of granite, rather than the Latapoxy (which will be on the back). Do you agree?

Thanks,
George

From: Mark Brooks <mabrooks@laticrete.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2006 15:37:02 -0400
To: George Fishman <gfmosaics@bellsouth.net>
Conversation: Web request for technical service - followup
Subject: RE: Web request for technical service - followup

George,

The idea of using clamps to hold the mosaic in place may be your only option due to the fact that you cannot mechanically fasten the mural.

The clamps would have to hold the mosaic in place (exerting some pressure downward/inward to make certain that it is embedded into epoxy adhesive) and not allow it to move during the entire curing process of the epoxy.

The client really needs to make certain there’s as close to 100% coverage as possible (minimum of 95%) because you can’t have any voids where water might be able to penetrate and freeze causing the mural to want to pop off (from the expansion of the freezing water).

I hope this helps.

Mark Brooks
Technical Services Supervisor
mabrooks@laticrete.com

From: George Fishman [ HYPERLINK "mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net" mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net] < HYPERLINK "mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net%5d" mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net%5d> < HYPERLINK "mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net%5d" mailto:gfmosaics@bellsouth.net%5d>
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 2:31 PM
To: Mark Brooks
Subject: Re: Web request for technical service - followup

Mark,

I know this is a somewhat complex assembly, so kindly have a look at the attachments to previous e-mail, which should clarify what’s been executed and what remains to be done. Pls don’t hesitate to call if anything is unclear. I’m very keen to give this client a through and unambiguous plan to complete the project. He’s invested an enormous amt of time and money planning, designing and expediting the stone fabrication and the mosaic for this monument to his family. I want to make sure that my part is as solid (and flexible) as it can possibly be.

The mosaic is already bonded to the backer panel using thinset/4237. (Panel was previously enveloped w/ waterproof membrane), Mosaic is grouted w/ Spectralock. I did this in my studio here in Miami.

This assembly is now ready to be adhered into a recess in the granite memorial slab/bench in Vermont.

So, if I understand you correctly, the panel can be adhered to the granite with Latapoxy.

To keep it centered within the slightly oversize recess during cure, client could use some shims (maybe chips of porcelains) -- as a caution against slumping. There’s no place for fasteners, as mosaic has no “lip” around it (panel is same size as mosaic), and I certainly don’t want to make holes through the mosaic. Would you suggest clamping mosaic to granite during cure of the Latapoxy? Is pushing and wiggling it in place insufficient to create bond (overall size about 20 x 10 inches)?

Once Latapoxy has set up, is Latasil appropriate to fill the gap around sides of panel?

Thanks again.

Best regards,
George

From: Mark Brooks <mabrooks@laticrete.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2006 14:35:44 -0400
To: George Fishman <gfmosaics@bellsouth.net>
Conversation: Web request for technical service - followup
Subject: RE: Web request for technical service - followup

George,

Thanks for the inquiry.

Hardibacker normally is mortared in and then nailed or screwed into the substrate.

The mortar bed just stabilizes the board and prevents movement as it is embedded, but if you don’t nail the board or screw it, the board has the ability still to move because it is not mechanically fastened to the substrate.

The fasteners are an extremely important part of installing backer board and without them you can have issues (such as tile coming off of the board because it is moving).

I would probably recommend that you use LATAPOXY 300 Epoxy Adhesive to attempt to bond this thing into place, but you do need to try and get fasteners into this while the epoxy is fresh so that it is held in place and can’t move at all.

I hope this helps.

Mark Brooks
Technical Services Supervisor
mabrooks@laticrete.com

From: George Fishman <gfmosaics@bellsouth.net>
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 13:08:55 -0400
To: Mark Brooks <mabrooks@laticrete.com>
Cc: Fred Puksta <fpuksta@crown-point.com>
Conversation: Web request for technical service - followup
Subject: Re: Web request for technical service - followup

Hi Mark,

Following the recommendations that you and your colleagues provided, I have adhered my glass mosaic (using 1500 series Natural grout mixed with #4237) to a backer panel. I grouted with SpectraLOCK (see attachments).

Prior to mounting, I had enveloped the Hardibacker panel with Custom Building Products RedGard to further ensure against water intrusion.

I plan to recommend Latasil to fill the gap between sides of the mosaic and the granite slab, into which it will be inlayed.

To actually adhere the panel to the back of the recess in the slab, I am seeking your suggestion for an appropriate adhesive. I assume that because everything around it will be non-pourous, it would be best to avoid a water-based thinset and trap moisture in the installation. Would the client be better off using Latapoxy, or a more flexible adhesive? What would you suggest?

Thanks again for your help.

Best regards,
George

www.georgefishmanmosaics.com

GEORGE FISHMAN MOSAICS

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