Before installation, the base surface must be properly cleaned to ensure a strong bond.

✅ Remove any obstructions, including:

• Uneven surfaces
• Mortar residues
• Lime, dust, and debris

2. Layout & Elastic Line Marking

Key Steps:

✅ Stake out the layout:

• Precisely measure and mark elevation control lines on the surrounding walls.
• Draw the layout lines on the base layer to ensure accurate positioning.

✅ Verify accuracy:

• Check measurements to prevent misalignment before installation.

3. Typesetting & Pre-Layout Planning

Before Paving the Calacatta Mosaic Backsplash:

1. Re-measure the elevation of the concrete base to ensure:

• Precise height alignment
• Correct slope positioning

2. Determine the bonding mortar thickness:

• The standard thickness is 3cm-5cm.
• Avoid spreading too much cement mortar at once.

Dry Mortar Preparation & Application:

✅ Water content must be strictly controlled:

• Ideal range: 7%-9% (to prevent excessive drying or improper adhesion).
  ✅ Correct mortar ratio:
• Cement to sand ratio = 1:3
• Testing method:
  • Grab a handful of mortar.
  • Form it into a ball.
  • Drop it.
  • If it crumbles evenly, the mix is correct.

4. Error Prevention & Best Practices

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Elevation control errors leading to misalignment.
• Applying excessively thick mortar layers, which can cause uneven surfaces.

✅ Best Practices for Layout Adjustments:

• For important nodes, align lofting on the map with on-site lofting.
• If the modular layout does not fit perfectly, use:
  • 45° pairings
  • Large and small panels for less visible areas (e.g., corners).
• Standardize the panel sizes as much as possible to simplify construction.

By following these steps carefully, you can achieve a flawless, durable, and aesthetically stunning Calacatta mosaic backsplash installation.