Tiles are construction materials that are used to give smooth surface and finish to floors and walls. This is modern technology that have been found very desirable. The surfaces of tiles are usually very hard and abrasion-resistant, often glossy in nature and enables quick removal of dirt. Tiles provide a cool surface and oftentimes helps to prevent dampness in buildings due to its water resistant properties.
Laying of Tiles
The laying of tiles is one process that requires carefulness. Tiles are embedded to floors and walls using thick mass of mortar made from very fine sand in order to give it cohesive properties. The mortar thickness depends on the thickness required to be filled. Prior to laying of tiles, they are soaked in water as example shown in Figure 1.
This soaking is a very important tile laying preparation process. As can be seen from the bottom surfaces of the tiles (Figure 1), they contain pores. These are common for porcelain and ceramic tiles. The purpose of the pores are to enable proper bonding of the tiles with the surfaces of floors and walls through mortar medium. These pores as much important as they are could mess up a tiled work. These pore spaces usually absorb the water from mortar thereby preventing proper settings, thus creating weak bonds between mortar and tile if the tiles are not soaked in water for about 20 – 30 minutes. The soaking of tiles in water makes the pores absorb water fully such that they do not tamper with water from mortar. This would help to prevent cracks or shedding off of tiles.
Water absorption rate of tiles
Tiles that are usually soaked vary based on the water absorption rate of the tiles. Tiles with water absorption rate less than 0.5% need not be soaked. Generally, glazed wall tiles which are commonly used in kitchen and bathroom walls, and tiles used on kitchen and bathroom floors have water absorption rate more than 10% and they need to be soaked. Their high rate of water absorption could be tied to constant exposure of these surfaces to water. Water absorption rate of porcelain tiles are usually less than 0.5% and they need not be soaked. The proper way to soak tiles is to immerse them completely in water in a large basin for as much period as indicated previously during which no bubbles is visible again.
Type/Sources of tiles in Nigeria
As stated earlier, tiles are used on floors (rooms, lobby, kitchen, toilet etc) and walls especially kitchens, columns, bathroom, fence etc). There are five sizes of tiles common in Nigeria. These are:
60 cm x 60 cm (Floor)
40 cm x 40 cm (Floors and Staircases)
30 cm x 60 cm (Floors and Staircases)
25 cm x 40 cm (Walls)
30 cm x 30 cm (Floors for Toilet and Bathroom)
Note: Wall tiles are usually glazed with smooth surfaces and cannot be used on floors
Three common sources of tiles in Nigeria are:
Locally-made tiles
Chinese-made tiles
Spanish-made tiles
Spanish-made tiles are usually more expensive and durable and comes in predominant sizes of 30 cm x 60 cm and 60 cm x 60 cm.
Chinese-made tiles come in predominant sizes of 60 cm x 60 cm, 25 cm x 40 cm and 30 cm x 60 cm.
Locally-made tiles come in predominant sizes of 40 cm x 40 cm, 60 cm x 60 cm, 25 cm x 40 cm and 30 cm x 30 cm.
