How long does it take for floor tiles to dry after installation?

Tiles are an excellent material that are very popular as flooring. It has undeniable advantages over other options, which makes it indispensable for repairs.

The installation process is also interesting. This is not a very complicated procedure, but you should still invite specialists who are guaranteed to do everything correctly, and you will be satisfied with the result. But after the installation is completed, many tile owners have a question: “How long should the coating dry and when can you start walking on it?”

Factors affecting the drying speed of tiles

There are several parameters that have a significant impact on the drying process of the finished coating. They should definitely be taken into account before starting installation in order to plan the time when you can start using it.

First of all, the temperature in the room plays a huge role. A prerequisite is a positive indicator. Otherwise, there is no point in doing the installation - there is a high probability that the installation will go unsatisfactorily, and the tiles will lie unevenly and unsightly.

Next, pay attention to the humidity in the room. The optimal figure would be approximately 60%. If this figure increases, it is unlikely that it will be possible to lay the tiles.In this case, the glue may not dry at all and the coating will not stick to the floor.

The last important factor is the level of water absorption of the base. If it is too high, it will not be possible to lay the tiles, as in the case of high humidity in the room. If the level is too low, all the water from the adhesive will remain inside, which means the tiles will not stick.

How long before you can walk on tiles?

It is impossible to give a definite answer to the question of when you can start walking on the surface. This also depends on the adhesive mixture you have chosen.

Each manufacturer indicates the drying time on the jar, so you should pay attention to it when purchasing glue. There are mixtures that dry out 5-7 hours after completion of work, but this does not mean that this will happen with any glue.

IMPORTANT! Follow the instructions carefully and do not violate the instructions given by the manufacturer. You should not start using the tiles until they are completely dry - one mistake can lead to the fact that the tile installation will even have to be redone. To prevent this from happening, wait a certain amount of time and only then start walking on the new surface.

How long does it take for floor tiles to dry in unfavorable conditions?

The most favorable conditions are considered to be room temperature and average humidity levels. But what to do if the room is cold and you absolutely need to lay tiles?

In this case, it is necessary to warm up the floor, otherwise the glue will not dry at all. It will either remain in the same state or, at extremely low temperatures, begin to freeze.Then, even after a very long time, you will not be able to start using the floor - the coating will constantly deform, shift and even crack.

The most common mistake when laying tiles in such conditions is that it is the air in the room that heats up, and not the floor itself. To avoid this, you need to use a heat gun. In such a situation, the glue will harden for about two days, but the result will still be satisfactory.

In addition, high humidity is a problem. Be sure to let the base dry before starting installation.

How to check if tiles are dry

It is impossible to determine one hundred percent whether the tile is stuck or not. Some try to disconnect one part of it, but it is better not to do this. You can also knock on the tiles - a duller sound indicates that there are voids.

If you notice that any part is coming off, you should disconnect it, remove the glue and glue it on again. Try to wait longer than what is written on the package. This way you can be sure that the coating is stuck and you can walk on it.

Now you know how long it takes for tiles to dry under different conditions and what factors influence the speed of this process.