Spacers made of foamed polymeric material and method of using same in laying tile

Abstract

A method of laying tiles to maintain uniform spacing between rows and columns of the tiles is disclosed. The method comprises spreading a mastic material on the substrate to which the tiles are to be applied; placing the tiles in columns and rows on the substrate and in contact with the mastic on the substrate; placing spacer elements between the corners of adjacent tiles as the tiles are laid, wherein the spacer elements are made of a solid, semi-rigid, foamed polymeric material; allowing the mastic to set and firmly adhere the laid tiles to the substrate; applying a flame to the spacer elements between the tiles after the tiles have been firmly adhered to the substrate to melt and burn the polymeric material of the spacer elements so as to create substantially open channels between the adjacent tiles; and filling the channels between the tiles with a grout. A single piece spacer element is also disclosed for insertion between corner joint spaces between tiles for uniform spacing of the tiles. The spacer element comprises a plurality of legs extending radially from a common juncture, with the spacer element being formed of a solid, semi-rigid, foamed polymeric material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.