Are you familiar with the Tuscan Leveling System?
It’s a terrific resource to use when you’re installing tile.
If you aren’t, you’ll find this article helpful. And if you are, it will be a refresher.
You see, the representative from Pearl Distributors showed us how to use the Tuscan Leveling System when installing tile. He demonstrated the one-piece Tuscan SeamClip and the two-piece Tuscan Leveling System.
As he explained, these systems represent valuable tools to make installing tile easier, especially with tiles becoming larger and more flexible, and ensure a lippage-free installation.
>> See Create a Lippage-free Tile Installation with the Tuscan Leveling System
Here are highlights from the presentation. We’ve included a 13:54-minute video from the demonstration at the end of the article.
Preparing the Tile Installation Surface is Critical!
Regardless of which leveling system you use, you must prepare the installation surface, whether it’s a floor or a wall before you start installing tile.
If you don’t prep the floor, no matter which system you use, you will have issues. Follow the tile installation recommendations from the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), as the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and other tile industry associations recommend.
You will need a medium bed thinset and 1/2″ notch trowel. The thinset should be on the loose side according to manufacturer recommendations. You don’t want it to be thick because then you can’t work with it.
Spread the thinset; you will want peaks just standing. Back-butter each tile.
What is the Tuscan Seam Clip?
The Tuscan SeamClip is a unique one-piece system that clicks into place only using your hands. There are no tools required. Removal is easy, too, using a rubber mallet in the direction of the grout joint.
The SeamClips™ come in sizes based on the thickness of the tile you are setting:
- White for tiles 1/8” – ¼” thick
- Blue for tiles ¼” – 3/8” thick
- Red, Orange, Green, and Purple for tiles 3/8” – ½” thick
What’s new is that Tuscan SeamClips are now pre-spaced to add grout joints during tile installation. More specifically, the four clips that can accommodate gauged tiles from 3/8″ to 1/2″ thick are conveniently color-coded for easy identification as follows:
- Red for 1/32″ grout sizes
- Orange for 1/16″ grout sizes
- Green for 1/8″ grout sizes
- Purple for 3/16″ grout sizes
