Use and Care Manual

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TILE

CARE &

MAINTENANCE

CARE & MAINTENANCE PAGE 1 OF 7

CERAMIC TILE

Routine Care

Tile, whether glazed ceramic or porcelain, should be maintained on a regular and frequent basis to prevent build-up of soil,

grease, residue, soap detergents, sealers, dampness, liquids, etc., to keep the surface clean and lessen slippery conditions.

Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles require minimal maintenance. Either can be cleaned with clear water and/or a pH neutral

liquid cleaner (soapless). Follow with a clear water rinse and wipe dry to prevent lm formation. As with most porcelains,

spilled liquids may stain light-colored products if not promptly removed. Neither sealing nor acid cleaning is recommended for

any glazed ceramic or porcelain tile.

Removal of Sealers/Waxes/Floor Finishes

If you need to remove a topical sealer or oor wax from a ceramic tile you should use a Tile Sealer & Adhesive Remover.

Always test a small area rst. Apply a liberal amount of undiluted sealer & adhesive remover to a manageable area.

Allow setting without drying until coating or residue softens. Reapply if necessary until sealer softens and can be removed.

If necessary, agitate with white nylon scrub pad. Wipe up the residue with a cotton towel or sponge. Rinse thoroughly

with clean water.

NOTE: Do not use on Natural Stone products.

CERAMIC TILE GROUT CARE

Penetrating/Impregnating Sealer

Most tile installations use cementitious grouts.

This type of grout should be sealed after installation to prevent the color from staining. The grout should be sealed with a

penetrating/impregnating sealer (often called grout sealers) which does not contain silicone, as silicone can shorten the

useful life of the sealer.

Epoxy grouts, conversely, are chemically cured and acid resistant and, as a result, do not require a sealer. The application of

a good quality penetrating/impregnating sealer into the grout joints of a cementitious grout will not change the natural color of

the grout, but will prevent the penetration of moisture, simplify maintenance, and help prevent staining or discoloration.

Only the grout needs to be sealed, not glazed oor or wall tiles. Grout can be sealed 72 hours after installation. There are

different grades of penetrating/impregnating sealers, therefore the useful life and price will differ between a low quality and

high quality sealer. You may need to reapply the sealer on an annual basis depending on the sealer quality, trafc patterns,

and maintenance routine. Some sealers have multiple year warranties for useful life. Refer to the manufacturer’s warranty,

technical & product information for specic details on product installation, useful life, and product applications (including any

warnings) before use.

Summary of content (7 pages)

PAGE 1
TILE CARE & MAINTENANCE CERAMIC TILE Routine Care Tile, whether glazed ceramic or porcelain, should be maintained on a regular and frequent basis to prevent build-up of soil, grease, residue, soap detergents, sealers, dampness, liquids, etc., to keep the surface clean and lessen slippery conditions. Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles require minimal maintenance. Either can be cleaned with clear water and/or a pH neutral liquid cleaner (soapless).
PAGE 2
TILE CARE & MAINTENANCE CERAMIC TILE GROUT CARE (continued) Grout Maintenance Neither sealing the grout nor using a 100% Epoxy Grout will guarantee against surface buildup or discoloration of the grout. Grout needs to be cleaned on a periodic basis to remove any surface buildup. Routine grout cleaning can be done with a daily concentrated household or commercial cleaner depending on the application.
PAGE 3
TILE CARE & MAINTENANCE Stone Cleaners Only use cleaners specifically designed for cleaning stone. These cleaners contain no acids and are concentrated neutral pH cleaners that will not affect existing sealers or wax-type coatings. The surface of the stone should be dampened with clear water. This will keep the cleaning solution on the surface so it can be effective. A solution of the cleaner and water mixed to manufacturer’s instructions should be applied to the stone surface with a sponge or mop.
PAGE 4
TILE CARE & MAINTENANCE NATURAL STONE NEW INSTALLATIONS Sealing is strongly recommended for newly installed marble and other Natural Stone to provide maximum below surface stain protection. Immediately after Natural Stone has been installed and grouted, the new installation should be covered with brown paper to protect it from debris during the remaining construction process.
PAGE 5
TILE CARE & MAINTENANCE MANUFACTURED STONE Routine Care Care should be taken to avoid smearing mortar on the surface of the veneers. Accidental smears should be removed using a dry whiskbroom only after mortar has dried completely. Never use a wet brush or wire brush. Do not power-wash, sandblast, use acid or acid-based products. Dirt or other materials may be removed with a strong solution of granulated soap or detergent and water with a bristle brush.
PAGE 6
TILE CARE & MAINTENANCE POLISHED PORCELAIN (continued) With proper installation techniques, preventative care and effective maintenance procedures, fully polished impervious porcelain and polished glazed porcelain tile is a durable, high value, long lasting tile floor and wall option for most commercial and residential spaces. UNGLAZED/MATTE/TEXTURED PORCELAIN Porcelain tiles with a matte or textured surface may contain structure or micro texture for slip resistance and visual enhancement.
PAGE 7
TILE CARE & MAINTENANCE STONE MOSAIC (continued) On walls, kitchen counters or vanity tops, a spray bottle can be used to apply the cleaning solution. Allow sitting for manufacturer’s specified amount of time (usually 3 to 5 minutes). Agitate with a sponge, synthetic mop, soft bristle brush or through the use of a floor scrubbing machine. Mop up dirty solution and buff dry.