A tiled surface is only as good as what it is fixed to. The substrate has to be flat, sound, clean and dry enough for the adhesive, and stable: new screeds and concrete need time to cure before tiling.
- Flatness: hollows and ridges are levelled first, especially for large formats.
- Soundness: loose layers, dust, paint and oil are removed.
- Moisture: wet rooms and outdoor areas receive a waterproofing layer under the tiles.
- Priming: absorbent or very smooth surfaces are primed as the adhesive maker specifies.