Tilers in the APY Lands

Local tiling considerations

• Extreme heat and thermal movement

  Summer temperatures regularly pass 40 degrees and winter nights drop close to freezing, so tiles and substrates move more than they do in Adelaide. We use flexible adhesives and place movement joints in line with AS 3958.1, particularly on external and sun-exposed floors.

• Everything comes in by road

  There is no tile supplier in the APY Lands, and the access roads west of the Stuart Highway are unsealed and can close after rain. We bring all materials, spares and tools from Adelaide and order extra tiles so a breakage in transit does not stall the job.

• Hard-wearing wet areas

  Community housing and staff accommodation see heavy use, so bathrooms and laundries need waterproofing to AS 3740, sound screeds and a grout that stands up to frequent cleaning. Simple layouts with fewer joints and fittings are easier to maintain in a remote setting.

• Slip resistance in public buildings

  Clinics, schools and stores need floor tiles with a slip rating suited to each area, as classified under AS 4586. Red dust and sand tracked in from outside make a textured but cleanable surface the practical choice at entries and in wet areas.