Screed

The screed can dry out faster than you expect at temperatures higher than 25 °C. This will burn the top layer. The water in the screed evaporates, leaving insufficient moisture for a chemical reaction with the cement. As a result, it won't bind with the cement. To avoid this problem as much as possible, you can lightly wet your floor with a plant sprayer in the first hours afterwards. Creating as much shadow as possible is also an option. Don't use a cover: it will take longer for your screed to dry. Are the temperatures higher than you thought when laying the screed and did the binding not happen as it should? No worries, start again and replace the burnt layer with a new layer of at least 5cm.

Tile glue

Another point of attention is the time between applying the tile glue and fitting your tiles. Unfavourable conditions such as direct sun, dry wind, high temperatures or a highly absorbent substrate mean you only have a few minutes to place your tiles. Always check whether the glue didn't get skin and whether it's still wet. Are you in doubt? Then it's best to remove the existing glue layer and remix it. We don't recommend adding extra water because this will reduce the adhesion. Early birds should remember to create shade, preventing the tiles from heating up during the day. Because of the rising temperatures of the tiles, the glue can still burn and release later.

Grout

Grout can also have too little moisture when it's hot outside. The grout will become crumbly or powdery and won't adhere very well. Avoid this by using grout that hardens fast. Working early in the morning helps as well. To optimise the binding process, use extra shadow and light moisturisation using a plant sprayer. We don't recommend covering the joints. Grouting in the evening? Although the tiles may feel cold, the substrate still contains a lot of residual heat. Test it by pouring cold water over the tiles: you'll see it gets warm immediately.