Lippage occurs when there is a difference in elevation between two tiles placed next to each other on a floor or wall¹. Larger tiles, especially those over 450mm in length, are more likely to not be entirely flat. Consequently, minimizing lippage during the installation of large rectangular tiles can be quite difficult.
Follow these seven simple steps when installing tiles to decrease the chances of lippage.
Choose tiles with a surface flatness of less than +/-0.5% (or +/- 2.0mm)² curvature.
Prepare the substrate thoroughly to ensure it is flat and even.
Reduce brick pattern installation when using rectangular tiles by limiting the overlap to 33% (or 20cm of the tile length) for tiles sized 60cm x 60cm and smaller.
Make sure the tiling gap is at least 3mm for indoor installations. In outdoor settings, where temperatures are higher, the tiling gap should be no less than 5mm.
After laying and grouting, make sure to give ample time for drying before walking on the surface. For areas with light traffic, allow 4 days for drying, and for high traffic areas, it is advisable to wait for 14 days before use.
Make sure to utilize the leveling system to reduce lippage.
Utilize appropriate tools for tile installation throughout the entire process.
Lay tiles with the ‘arrow’ orientation indicated on the back of each tile.
Apply butter to the back of tiles before installation, especially for large format tiles (60cm x 60cm and larger).
Utilize a rubber mallet to gently tap the tile into the thinset or bonding substrate. This specialized tool is designed to minimize bounce upon striking and will not damage the tile surface.
