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We recommend that the relevant installation guide(s) is read before starting your project. These can all be found using the links below. If you can't find the answers you are looking for or have a specific query our showroom staff and Technical Team are on hand to help.
To find your nearest showroomclick hereorcall +44 (0)1295 812088, option 1
Q. My Mosaic tiles have been supplied with brown paper on them. Can you explain which way around the front of the tiles will be please? A. The tile pieces are mounted on to a brown paper using a water soluble adhesive, and this paper keeps the tiles together in their intended pattern. The brown paper is fixed to the front of the tiles and should be removed once the tiles have been fixed into the adhesive.
Q. Why are my mosaic tiles mounted on to a brown paper and not a mosaic mesh? A. Each piece is slightly irregular in shape and can appear transparent, therefore a mesh would be visible. Transparent tiles rely on a light, flat bed of adhesive to fix them. The brown paper should be removed shortly after fixing the tiles in to the adhesive.
Q. I’ve placed a top up order for some extra tiles I require, however, the extra tiles appear to have a different shade or colour? A. Most tiles supplied in one order will often be from the same batch or consignment. Having a slight shade or colour difference between tiles is very likely with top up orders. On any one order, we would recommend allowing 10 % for extra tiles lost to cuts and wastage.
Q. We have just installed our tiles and some appear to be changing to a different colour or shade? A. Moisture trapped behind tiles can sometimes alter their shade or colour. It is very important to allow moisture trapped behind a tile to disperse or dry prior to applying grout or sealants. Once dry, the tiles should eventually return to their original shade or colour.
Q. The grout around my tiles appears to darken after water has been applied to the tile’s surface? A. Most grouts will absorb some water or moisture and this will darken the appearance of the grout temporarily. To reduce the effects of this, a sealant can be applied to the grout.
Q. Why do I need to use a sealant on my tiles? A. Some tiles such as Stone, Encaustic or Crackle glaze tiles, have an absorbent surface. Tiles with an absorbent surface must be sealed prior to applying grout otherwise pigments within the grout can penetrate the tile’s surface and cause staining. In addition to this, the sealant will offer some further protection from oil and water based stains. Please note: moisture sitting behind tiles must be allowed to disperse or dry prior to applying a sealant.
Q. How will I know if my tiles require sealing? A. Information on whether a tile requires sealant can be obtained from the Fired Earth website, brochure or discussing with a Fired Earth showroom.
Q. Will my tiles require regular maintenance? A. To keep your tiles looking beautiful, we would always encourage the use of maintenance products recommended by Fired Earth. These products are designed to work in harmony with both the tiles and any care products applied to the tiles.
Q. My tiler is having difficulty cutting my Fired Earth tiles. A. Tiles can be produced from several different types of material, therefore it is imperative that the most appropriate type of cutter is used for that tile. Tile cutting information can be sourced from the tiling installation guides found on the Fired Earth website
Q. Can I obtain the RAL number for Fired Earth paint? A. Unfortunately, Fired Earth paints are not identifiable under the RAL System.
Q. Is Fired Earth paint oil or water based? A. Both the emulsion and eggshell paints in the range are a water based paint with minimal VOC content.
Q. I have recently painted my room with Fired Earth paint however, on some of the walls the paint does not appear to be drying properly and looks very patchy? A. All Fired Earth paints are water based and they dry by evaporation. If the paint is applied to a substrate which is damp in some areas then this will inhibit the drying of the paint. We would suggest applying some paint to a different background such as a piece of card to test the behavior of the paint.
Q. I am painting a lighter colour over an existing darker colour and the paint does not appear to be covering that well? A. Occasionally the quantity of paint ordered is not enough to sufficiently cover the area therefore the paint can become ‘stretched out’. As a result of this, the paint coat becomes thin and becomes less effective at covering over existing coats of paint. Like all paints, Fired Earth paints are recommended as a two coat application however, painting over a very high contrast colour may actually require three coats.
Q. The colour of the paint in the tin appears to be different to how I expected? A. Paints can separate out during storage and should always be mixed thoroughly prior to use. Using an implement long enough to reach the base of the tin is advisable as some darker pigments within the paint can sink to the base of the tin.
Q. I have stirred the paint thoroughly, but the colour of the paint on the wall appears different to how I expected. A. The substrate beneath the paint may affect the colour. We would suggest applying some paint to a different background such as a piece of card to test the colour of the paint.
Q. My Fired Earth Acrylic Eggshell paint appears to slip around when applied to a previously painted back ground. A. Many existing gloss paints are oil based and these will be difficult to cover with a water based paint such as Fired Earth Eggshell. Generally, the oil based paint should be rubbed down with a fine sand paper and then thoroughly cleaned with sugar soap or white spirit prior to applying eggshell paint. We would recommend carrying out a small test in an inconspicuous area first to test the application of the paint. If the application of the paint continues to be difficult then it may be necessary to apply a suitable water based acrylic primer or inter-coat.
Q. I have painted the wall, however the paint appears ‘streaky’. A. It is likely that the paint has not been mixed fully before use, especially if the paint is some months old then separation can occur.
Q. I have opened a tin of Fired Earth paint and there is an unpleasant smell emitted. A. Occasionally if air gets in to the tin, the paint can become contaminated by bacteria. Please contact the showroom responsible for the sale of the paint to discuss a replacement.
Q. I have recently painted my hallway in Fired Earth Matt Emulsion and it appears to mark very easily. A. Paints can take over two weeks to achieve full hardness, therefore the paint may be more prone to marking if it has recently been applied. Fired Earth would recommend using an Eggshell paint in high traffic areas.
Q. Fired Earth Matt Emulsion paint is classed as wipeable but not washable; what does this mean? A. A wipeable paint means it will withstand wiping with a soft cloth using small amounts of water. This method would be used to remove light staining only. Heavy staining from boots, dogs or high foot traffic may be ingrained into the surface and may not be removable. A washable paint such as Fired Earth Eggshell could be cleaned with a very mild detergent however, no harsh bleach based products should be considered.
Q. I’ve used Fired Earth Matt Emulsion paint on the walls of my bathroom however, the paint appears to have water marks upon its surface? A. Areas where condensation or water splashing can occur should be painted with Eggshell rather than the Matt Emulsion. Fired Earth Eggshell is better suited to this type of environment and would be the suggested paint finish for bath bathrooms and kitchens.
Q. I’ve applied Fired Earth paint to several walls, however, on some areas of the wall the paint appears to be flaking away? A. If existing painted surfaces have not been prepared properly by removing loose or flaking paint then this will not provide a stable background for the new paint. Alternatively the problem could be associated with walls that have been covered by a filler to hide imperfections within the wall’s surface. Some fillers can be very porous and can cause the paint to shrink as moisture is rapidly drawn away from the paint. Prior to applying the paint, ensure any fillers are completely dust free and dry. Spot prime the filler with a well diluted mix of the paint and water (up to 25% thinning). Do not apply thick layers of paint which are more likely to shrink.
Q. Can I apply the paint using a spray gun? A. The eggshell and emulsion paint can be applied using an ‘Airless’ spray system.
Q. What water pressure is required for the taps and showers in the Fired Earth range? A. For optimum performance, a water pressure of between 1 – 5 bar is recommended for the majority of brassware in the range. Details of requirements for individual products can be found on the website, in the bathroom brochure and the Bathroom Technical Guide.
Q. How can I check the water pressure in my property? A. You will need to check the type of system that is installed - Is there a tank in the loft? If so, this means you have a gravity system, the height of this tank above the outlet will give a rough indication of the available pressure - the measurement should be taken from the base of the loft tank to the outlet (every meter distance is equal to 0.1 bar). If there is no tank in the property then the system is either using a mains pressure unvented system, or a combination boiler, in which case there is likely to be more than 1.0 bar pressure available. Your installer should be able to obtain a pressure reading using a suitable test gauge and offer advice.
Q. Are the toilet cisterns water saving? What water capacity will the toilet cistern hold? A. In line with water regulations, the water capacity of the toilet cisterns are restricted to a maximum 6 litre flush.
Q. What other products do I need to install a wall hung toilet pan? A. A wall hung toilet pan will require a combined wall frame and cistern. Please speak to the showroom for further advice on the products available. Q. I have received delivery of my new toilet cistern and there is no overflow. A. The overflow (or warning pipe) is no longer a requirement in the Water Regulations 1999. Should excess water enter the cistern it will now flow into the WC bowl rather than outside via an overflow pipe.
Q. Which taps and waste fittings will fit my bath and basin? A. There are a number of choices of taps and wastes available. Suggested compatible products for each bath and basin are listed in the Bathroom Technical Guide.
Q. What is the benefit of a thermostatic shower compared to a non-thermostatic shower? A. A thermostatic shower will provide the following benefits to the user: 1. a steady temperature while showering, with no temperature fluctuations 2. a maximum temperature, preventing any risk of possible scolding.
Q. How do I clean my chrome taps and showers? A. Please ensure all chrome plated brassware products are cleaned regularly using a clean, soft, damp cloth only. Abrasive cleaners or detergents must not be used as they may cause surface deterioration. For best results ensured the chrome is dried with a suitable soft dry cloth. IMPORTANT: DO NOT USE CORROSIVE CHEMICALS TO CLEAN CHROME.
Q. How do I clean my sanitary ware? A. The glazed finish of your sanitary ware should be cleaned by applying a small amount of a suitable cream cleaner. Apply using a sponge or damp cloth and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Cleaners containing abrasive ingredients or materials should be avoided.
Q. How do I clean black marks from my ceramic product? A. The black marks can be caused by metal rubbing against the ceramic surface. The metal (generally stainless steel) is softer than the ceramic and is deposited onto the surface of the ceramic if it is rubbed against it. Generally Cif cream cleaner will remove the marks, alternatively a ‘bath rubber’ can be purchased and used to rub away the mark.
Q. Do you have product dimensions, technical drawings and fitting instructions? A. Please see our website or alternatively email [email protected] for product dimensions, technical drawings and fitting instructions.
Q. I am confused, which heated towel rail should I order? A. A number of options to heat towel rails are available: Closed water system– The rail is connected to the central heating system and is heated when the central heating is on. Open water system– The rail is connected to the domestic hot water system and is heated by the hot water which flows from your taps. Duel Fuel – The rail is connected to the central heating system and an electric supply. When the central heating is on, the rail will be heated by the central heating. When the central heating is turned off, the electric switch can be turned on and the rail will be heated by electricity. Electric – The rail is prefilled and is simply connected to the electric circuit. When the supply is turned on, the rail will be heated by an internal element.
Q. What is a ‘quarter turn tap’? A. Traditionally taps used a washer to open and close the water flow, this required the control handle to be rotated through 360 degrees and several times to open or close the tap. A quarter turn tap uses a ceramic disc cartridge instead of a washer, this allows the tap to operate by simply turning the control handle through 90 degrees to control the flow of water.
