50 2018 | TECH Mortars and grouts Performance is always a key characteristic of mor- tars and grouts. But growing attention to safety for users and the environment are also prime considerations for manufactur- ers as they develop new products. “I think we will continue to see significant advancements in tile and stone instal- lation materials in regard not only to performance but also to the safety of these products,” noted Curt V. Rapp, Founder and CEO of The Tile Doctor. “Innovators in the industry are placing an increased focus on lowering, if not completely eliminating, all health-related risks to installers and also to removing any potential for nega- tive environmental impact. “Epoxy formulations for setting materials and grouts are classified as corrosives, and therefore have serious health and environmental risks,” he added. “They must be disposed of as hazardous waste in licensed facili- ties. There is now a move toward developing products that have none of these adverse risks, and are instead classified as low-level irritants, making them safer for the installer and the environment – even safer than cement grout. These new tile and stone installation products have the potential to transform the industry in a very positive way.” New developments of grout and mortar include products that are commonly made from recyclable, sustainable materi- als and emit low VOCs, said Arthur Mintie, Senior Technical Services Director for LATICRETE. “These new products are also designed to meet or exceed many regulatory require- ments and are equipped with support- ing Health Product Declarations (HPDs), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and UL GreenGuard® Certifications, which help manufacturers create, and help buyers identify, tile and flooring installation mate- rials’ impact on the environment.” According to Jeff Moen, Sales and Marketing director of FILA North America, grout haze has always been a major problem for installers. “From the standpoint of FILA Solutions, highly advanced products for cleaning both floor and wall tile need to be developed, keeping in pace with the highly sophisticated grouts that are com- ing to market. “These grouts are becoming more stain resistant, he explained, “but when not cleaned immediate- ly and properly after installation, the grout then becomes ‘the stain.’ Frankly, these new grout tech- nologies for installing tile are outpacing the ability to clean the tile.” And, with the development, and ever-increasing presence of large-format tiles and panels, cutting-edge setting products and equipment are also coming to market. “The cleanup from these products, if not done in a timely manner, can result with the finished project having a ‘picture frame’ effect.” New products for LHT and porcelain panel installs Another factor that can cause tile stains and marks is the usage of suction cups for the installation of gauged porcelain panels, which is becoming increasingly neces- sary for these large modules. “This process can result in leaving marks and stains, which need to be profession- ally and properly cleaned immediately,” FILA’s Moen said. “Good tile and grout installations are due to the correct and careful workmanship by the installer, as well as professional follow-through with proper curing conditions, cleaning and sealing procedures using state- of-the-art products.” One of the most significant advancements for large- format tile and stone is the develop- ment of Large and Heavy Tile (LHT) mortars (formerly known as medium- bed mortars), said Tom Carroll, Senior Product Manager for Merkrete. “When mortars cure they are inclined to shrink because the displacement of water causes the mortar to retract and either pull away from the tile – causing uneven coverage and hollow spots – or physically pull the tile down while it hardens, causing lippage. Newly formulated LHT mor- tars are engineered to control the amount of shrinking that occurs during the curing process, allowing the tile to stay in position.” These LHT mortars are designed with non-slump properties to withstand movement of larger and heavi- er weighted tile during installation. “They also contain Training puts excellent technologies to use in the right way Curt V. Rapp Arthur Mintie Jeff Moen Tom Carroll