Checklist - Before / During / After marble and granite finishes

CHECKLIST
Final inspection of stone tiling works

1. Jointing
1.1Tile size should be consistent
 within ± 1% (or)
 up to 3mm (or)
 according to specifications (whichever is stricter).

1.2 Joints are aligned and consistent with
skirting and wall tiles.
1. Jointing (cont.)

1. Jointing (cont.)
1.3 Consistent skirting thickness.

1. Jointing (cont.)
1.4 Consistent and neat pointing.

2. Finishing
2.1 Mortar stains or paint drips should not be
seen.

2. Finishing (cont.)
2.2 Consistent colour tone.

3. Evenness
3.1 Surface are even (not more than 3mm over
1.2m) and levelled to proper falls in wet
areas.

3. Evenness (cont.)
3.2 Lippage between 2 tiles should not be
more than 1mm.

4. Cracks & Damages
4.1 From a distance of 1.5m, no visible chips,
cracks and other damages.

4. Cracks & Damages (cont.)
4.1 (cont.) other damages.

5. Hollowness
5.1 No hollow sound when tapped with a hard
object.

PROTECTION
Preventing damages and rework.

Protection Works
 Protection should
provided immediately
after completion.
 How?
 Mopping away all dust,
dirt and grit.
 Covering with corrugate
sheets / polyethylene
sheet / cardboard /
wooden board (heavy
traffic).

Protection Works (cont.)
Site control :
 No traffic is permitted for 4 days after completion
of tile flooring

 The 4th day – 10th day, only light foot traffic is
permitted.
 Caution ! When using sawdust, may cause
staining.

 Stone walls :
Prohibited impact vibration and hammering on
adjacent / or backside of wall.
Immediately after completion, as long as the
proper curing time of materials requires.
 Proper co-ordination among construction
trades:
Prescheduled exact time-windows for contractors
to access site.
Prevent work conflicts

COMMON COMPLAINTS
Understand the complaints and Prevent them.

Common Complaints from Owners
 Jointing
Common Complains Possible Causes Recommendations
1.1 Out of alignment a) Inconsistent
dimensions of stone
tiles.
b) Poor workmanship i.e.
tiles not properly
aligned during
installation.
 Select suitable stone.
 Use skilled workers.

 Finishing
2.1 Efflorescence a) Salts within stone and
/ or bedding material.
b) Moisture getting into
adhesive from under
the floor or through
tile joints.
 Avoid excessive
wetting.
 Use proper
waterproofing.

 Finishing
2.2 Inconsistent tonality a) Choice of materials
with excessive colour
variations.
b) Lack of pre-laying to
ensure colour
variation is
acceptable.
c) Prolonged dampness
due to water ingress.
 Select suitable
stone.
 Carry out pre-lay.
 Use proper
waterproofing.

 Finishing
2.3 Pinholes a) Use of porous marble
without proper care.
b) Inherent
characteristics in
stone.
 Patching marble in
factory.
 Inherent.

 Finishing
Common
Complains
Possible Causes Recommendations
2.4 Splotches
or dull areas in
polished
surfaces.
a) Spillage and left-over of food
and cosmetic products.
b) Cleaning solution such as
acidic and strong alkaline
cleaners.
c) Alkalinity of cement based
grouts.
d) Efflorescence.
e) Inherent characteristics in
stone.
 Avoid spillage / quick
cleaning.
 Use suitable cleaning
solution.
 Use suitable grout.
 Avoid excessive wetting.
 Minimize exposure to
sunlight.
 Inherent.

 Evenness
3.1 Uneven surface or
lippage
a) Warped stone tiles.
b) Varied stone tile
thickness.
c) Uneven substrate or
cement / sand screed.
d) Incorrect bedding
thickness.
 Proper dimensional
stability.
 Correct tile
thickness.
 Proper surface
preparation.
 Use proper tools.

 Evenness (cont.)
3.1 Uneven surface or
lippage
d) Lack of consideration
for curing of bedding
material.
e) Insufficient levelling of
each individual tile.
f) Insufficient tapping of
the tiles into position.
g) Premature loading
onto freshly
completed stone.
 Enough time to be
allowed for curing.
 Ensure stones are
even and level using
sprit level.
 Ensure stones are
uniformly tapped into
place.
 Proper protection.

 Cracks and Damages
4.1 Cracks a) Inadequate expansion
or control joints.
b) Tiles laid over crack.
c) Cutting and poor
handling.
d) Direct impact.
e) Damage by other
trade after laying if
unprotected.
 Allow movement
joints.
 Need special
treatment.

 Cracks and Damages (cont.)
4.1 Cracks (cont.) f) Inherent
characteristics of
stones such as natural
veins for e.g.
stylolites.
g) Excessive external
vibration.
 Inherent.
 No butt joint.
 Allow movement
joint.

4.2 Chipping / jagged
edges
a) Direct impact.
b) Damage by other
trade after laying if
unprotected.
c) Poor cutting and
handling.
d) Butt joint / not
sufficient movement
joint.
 No butt joint.
 Allow movement joint.

4.3 Adhesion failure a) Inadequate provision
of expansion or
control joints.
b) Inadequate stone and
bedding material.
c) Concrete or cement /
sand screed not
properly cured and
drying shrinkage
cracks occur after
stone installation.
 Allow movement
joints.
 Use suitable
materials.
 Allow sufficient curing.

4.3 Adhesion failure
(cont.)
d) Substrate not properly
cleaned and prepared.
e) Contamination of the
back of stone tiles by
dust and dirt deposited.
f) Incompatible resin used
to secure the nylon
reinforcement.
g) Incompatible sealer
used.
 Proper surface
preparation.
 Clean back of tiles
before installation.
 Check compatibility
of resin used.
 Check compatibility
of sealer used.

4.3 Adhesion failure
(cont.)
g) Incorrect installation of
stone tiles e.g.
insufficient tapping of
tiles into position or tiles
were applied onto the
adhesive layer after the
“open time” had lapsed.
h) Inadequate provision of
mechanical key in tiles.
 Installed stone
according to
recommended
installation methods.
 Allow adequate
mechanical key or use
appropriate adhesive.

 Hollowness
5.1 “Hollow” sound a) Stone set on a
concrete slab over a
large open area.
b) Air entrapped or void
in either the setting
bed or slab, causing
one part of the floor to
sound differently than
another.
c) There may be voids
within stone.
 Acoustical effect
rather than bonding
problems.
 Stone to be properly
laid.
 Select suitable stone.

 Hollowness (cont.)
5.1 “Hollow” sound
(cont.)
d) Separation or
waterproofing
membranes installed
between a slab and
the bedding material.
e) Elevation of
subsurface is
irregular, causing one
part of the floor to
sound differently than
another.
 Acoustical effect
rather than bonding
problems.
 Stone to be properly
laid.

 Hollowness (cont.)
5.1 “Hollow” sound
(cont.)
f) The back surface of
the stone unit may be
irregular rather than
flat, causing one part
of the floor to sound
differently than
another.
 Stone to be solidly
bedded.

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