TILE CARE & MAINTENANCE


POLISHING AND PREVENTION:


TOP TILE CARE TIPS As far as floorcoverings go, tiles can be regarded as one of the most durable.


Here, Peter Vann, Director of Ceramique Internationale, explains what you should consider and how to look after manufactured tiles to make them retain their good looks for longer.


GLAZE OVER Fitting glazed ceramic or porcelain tiles, as opposed to natural stone product, are a low maintenance option in many ways. In general, this type of wall and floorcovering needs very little maintenance, other than vacuuming and washing down when dirt builds up. Even surface stains such as coffee and soap can be easily cleaned with nothing but water in most cases – the most accessible and cost-effective solvent available!


People often assume that bathroom wall and floor tiles with a matt glaze are harder to clean and keep clean than those with a shiny glaze, but this is also not the case. They are both glazed and that surface is impenetrable, therefore making them straightforward to clean and maintain.


SPLASHING AROUND However, floors exposed to water and moisture can provide a slightly different challenge where a surface with anti-slip characteristics is used. It is generally recommended to use tiles with an A,B,C anti-slip rating in bathrooms, wetrooms and larger areas, such as swimming pools where you are likely to have wet, bare feet. Put very simply, this rating equates to ‘good, better, best’ tiles and means the tile has a surface texture or particles on the surface to help reduce the aquaplaning effect between bare feet and moisture.


At the point of installation, tiles with these anti-slip characteristics require extra care when 'cleaning- off' after grouting, to ensure all


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excesses are removed from the irregular surface. And, in addition, this type of tile inevitably requires a higher frequency of cleaning – but should still clean easily.


“IF YOU CHOOSE WELL, TILES ARE A GREAT,


LOW MAINTENANCE OPTION FOR


ALMOST ANY SURFACE AND ROOM.”


EXTRA CARE Of course, there are certain types of tiles that require extra care and treatments to maintain their looks. For example, low-cost homogenous polished porcelain tiles, often imported from the Far East, can be really prone to staining. This is because the polishing process used to make them shiny actually widens the microscopic pores on the surface. So if they are less densely pressed, or not fired effectively, the surface becomes porous when polished – making them more likely to stain or mark.


If you do opt for these products, they need to be treated with an impregnating sealer to help protect them at the point of installation and then periodically throughout their life.


Another type of popular floor tile that requires extra care is natural unglazed terracotta, which is highly porous by nature and needs to be sealed to protect the surface. This type of floor tile also requires regular


maintenance using appropriate specific cleansing agents.


Highly polished floor tiles, especially in strong colours are best cleaned WITHOUT using chemicals because the chemicals themselves can leave deposits which create ‘smear’ marks. Clean water is the best solvent, but remember- nothing beats a bit of elbow grease.


We have discovered the Enjo Fibre Technology Cleaning System which is both environmentally friendly and highly effective for floor and wall tiles – we even use it on our own showroom floor!


GROUTING One challenge that has become more prominent in recent years is maintaining grouting. There has been a significant increase in pale coloured grouting that is designed to co-ordinate with tiles rather than contrast with it – and of course any floor grouting is susceptible to staining and discolouration. The best option is to treat new grouting with a sealant such as Meta Crème which is 100% waterproof so stains cannot be absorbed and any spillages – including coffee, tea, olive oil, hair products etc - can easily be cleaned off.


Of course, prevention is better than cure, but if it is too late to protect your grout there are some great products out there that can help you clean it up.


In essence, if you choose well, tiles are a great, low maintenance option for almost any surface and room.


www.tilesandmosaics.co.uk www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk


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