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***This information is offered as a guide only***
We highly suggest consulting a professional tile installer before or at time of installation.

Unpacking:
It is important that upon delivery you review the entire contents of your order to make sure that it is acceptable. We highly recommend laying out all tile before installation to verify color, quantity, and to check for any hidden damage. ModRocks pebble tile is mesh mounted on 12"x12" sheets with interlocking edges. Spread sheets on the floor and arrange so that sheets interlock. Slight variations in color and size are inherent in pebble tile. Installation constitutes acceptance.

Surface Preparation:
Surfaces to be tiled must be smooth, dry, flat, perfectly clean and, if necessary, waterproofed. Remove all loose material and patch as necessary. An improperly prepared substrate can lead to maintenance headaches, particularly in kitchens and baths where damage caused by previous problems may be hiding behind the walls. Mark out grid line and plan tile layout.

Water Proofing:
Use a waterproofing membrane over the substrate in wet areas. Follow the waterproof membrane manufacturer's instructions for installation.

Expansion Joints:
For most installations, expansion joints must be used: a) around the perimeter of the installation, b) where the tile abuts restraining surfaces such as perimeter walls or ceilings, or c) where substrates of different materials meet. Depending on the size of the installation, underlying material and climate variations, the requirements for expansion joints will vary. An architect should provide the location and number of expansion joints. For more information please consult the Tile Council of America's Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation.

Setting Materials:
Use white or grey multi-purpose thin-set to install ModRocks pebble tile. Using a 1/4"e; notched trowel, evenly spread thin set over the substrate, combing thin-set with the notched side of trowel. Push ModRocks mesh into thin-set, arranging sheets so they interlock together evenly. Wipe thin-set from surface of pebbles.

Grouting:
Allow thin-set to cure for 24 hours before grouting. Apply multi-purpose sanded grout with rubber grout float or use rubber gloves and apply with your hands, pushing grout between rocks, making sure that all the grout joints have been filled, and wiping away excess. Leave the grout to dry for 10-20 minutes. Use a slightly damp sponge, wipe across the pebble tile to remove the grout film from the surface of the tile. Turn the sponge after each wipe, using each side of the sponge only once. Wait another 10-20 minutes or until grout starts to dry and repeat. Wipe pebbles with a lint-free cloth as the final step buffing away all residual grout from the surface of the pebbles.

TIP:Spray dry surfaces with a little water using a mister to minimize grout sticking to the face of pebbles.

Sealing:
After the grout is cured, seal the ModRocks and grout with a penetrating or impregnating sealer. If you want a deeper color use an enhancing sealer to bring out the color of the stones. Reapply sealer per manufacturer's instructions.

Cutting:
ModRocks can be cut with a diamond blade wet saw. Individual pebbles can also be removed from the mesh and moved to fill in where necessary. It is usually easier to remove a larger pebble and replace it with a smaller pebble than it is to cut individual pebbles.

Maintenance:
No special maintenance is required since pebble tiles are easy to clean by wiping with a damp cloth as you would any wall or ceiling. To remove stubborn stains use a commercial nonabrasive cleaner like Windex or a solution of soap less detergent. The surface should be scrubbed, rinsed thoroughly with clean water and dried. Shower areas generally require more periodic cleaning in order to remove soap scum, body oils and hard water deposits. Normally, shower areas may be cleaned by spraying an all-purpose cleaner on the tile, letting it stand for 3-5 minutes and then rinsing. A white vinegar and water solution should remove most hard water stains.