Ceramic Tile Forensics

INSPECTORS / ARCHITECTS / GENERAL CONTRACTOR / TILE CONTRACTOR
DIVISION 9 - FINISHES - TILE 09300
CSI MASTER FORMAT

Legend: A = Architect GC= General Contractor TC= Tile Contractor

General
1. A GC	1. Verify containers are sealed upon delivery with Grade Seals identifying grades of tile as required for glazed interior and ceramic mosaic tiles (quarry, glass mosaic, cement body and marble tiles are not grade sealed).
2. A GC	2. Verify tile color, sizes, patterns, shapes, and type are as approved.
3. A GC	3. Verify trim shapes are appropriate for use and as required; bullnose edges for thinset; radius edges for mortar set.
4. A GC	4. Verify mastergrade certificates are delivered with tile shipment.
5. A GC	5. Verify: grout type and color is approved.
6. A GC TC	6. Tile color is uniform; shading of color within acceptable tolerances.
7. A GC	7. Layout is as approved; generally no cuts smaller than half tile size with cuts balanced and areas centered.
8. A GC	8. Pattern of layout, alignment of trim, juncture with ceiling, and field tile are as specified.
9. A GC	9. Tile joints are straight and true.
10. A GC	10. Tile surfaces are true to plane, level and plumb.
11. A GC	11. Tile corners are flush or level with adjacent tile.
12. A GC	12. Tile edges are on an even plane, smooth to touch.
13. A GC	13. Tile cuts are smooth without jagged or flaked edges.
14. A GC TC	14. Bonding is complete and sound.
15. A GC TC	15. Finished tile is free from pits, chips, cracks or scratches.
16. A GC	16. Grout is uniform in color, tooled uniformly on cushion edged tiles, flush to top of square edged tiles, and smooth, without voids and is hard and durable.
17. A GC	17. Finished tile surface is cleaned of setting and grouting materials; do not allow muriatic acid on glazed tile.
18. A GC	18. Finished tile is protected from damage.
19. A GC	19. Tile is properly spaced as required.
20. A GC	20. Use of glass mesh mortar unit substrate conforms to manufacturer’s specifications.
21. A GC TC	21. Use of sound absorbing matting conforms to manufacturer’s specifications.
22. A GC TC	22. Surface applied accessories are fastened through tile by drilling tile or grout joints without inducing cracks.

Legend: A = Architect GC= General Contractor TC= Tile Contractor

Wall Tile, Mortar Set
23. A GC TC	23. Verify studs and furring are properly anchored and braced.
24.A GC TC	24. Backing for accessories and partitions is in place.
25. A GC TC	25. Waterproof membrane is installed if required. (TESTING)
26. A GC	26. Lath is properly located, lapped and tied; galvanized lath and wires in wet areas; galvanized or painted lath in dry areas as specified.
27. A GC	27. Mortar is Portland cement type without gypsum; scratch coat if required fully keyed to lath; mortar bed uniformly floated to cured scratch coat or masonry surface, maximum 3/4” thick, single or double back coats.
28. A GC	28. Bond coat is cement paste on uncured mortar bed or latex-portland-cement or dry set on cured mortar bed.
29. A GC	29. Wall tile is set before floor tile.
30. A GC	30. Built-in accessories are set and firmly anchored; aligned with grout joints as required.
31 A GC	31. Tile is protected from movement, 48 hours after setting and 48 hours after grouting; no work on opposite side of wall.

Legend: A = Architect GC= General Contractor TC= Tile Contractor

Wall Tile, Thinset
32 A GC TC	32. Verify wall backing is properly secured and of specified type; water resistant if gypsum board; surface sealed as required; gypsum board penetrations caulked with special sealant.
33 A GC	33. Setting materials are as specified; organic adhesive on gypsum board, dry set or latex-Portland-cement on gypsum board cementitious backer unit, masonry or cured mortar bed.
34 A GC	34. Wall tile is set before floor tile.
35 A GC TC	35. Built-in accessories are set and firmly anchored; aligned with grout joints as required.
36 A GC	36. Tile is protected from movement, 48 hours after setting and 48 hours after grouting; no work on opposite side of wall.

Legend: A = Architect GC= General Contractor TC= Tile Contractor

Floor Tile
37 A GC TC	37. Verify: non-slip tile is provided for required areas.
38 A GC	38. Masonry thresholds or metal edge bars are set to finish grade.
39 A GC TC	39. Floor drains are set to finish grade at low point.
40 A GC TC	40. Floor and/or mortar bed are uniformly sloped for drainage and accessibility as required for drainage and accessibility.
41 A GC	41. Expansion joints are located and of type as required.
42 A GC TC	42. Substrate is clean and dry; without bumps and hollows for thinset application.
43 A GC TC	43. Waterproof membrane or cleavage membrane is properly installed for mortar bed application. ( TESTING REQUIRED)
44 A GC	44. Mortar bed is properly reinforced.
45 A GC	45. Mortar bed for plastic bed is installed as work progresses; ensure excessive bed is not placed to avoid initial set.
46 A GC	46. Bond coat is cement paste on plastic mortar bed; dry set or latex-portland-cement on cured mortar bed or concrete; organic adhesive on concrete or plywood; epoxy on cured mortar bed, concrete or plywood.
47 A GC TC	47. Tile is tamped in to assure good bond; excess bond coat immediately removed before set up.
48 A GC TC	48. Where epoxy grouted, tile is wax coated on face; ensure no wax on back or edges.
49 A GC	49. Tile is protected from traffic and dirt, 48 hours after setting and 48 hours after grouting.