CAR E & MAI N T EN A N C E G UI DE TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. CARING FOR PORCELAIN TILE 2. CARING FOR CERAMIC TILE 3. CARING FOR GLASS TILE 4. CARING FOR PEARL TILE 5. CARING FOR STONE AND MARBLE TILE 1. CARING FOR PORCELAIN TILE While many porcelain tiles have unique properties, they all have a few characteristics in common: • No porcelain tile is completely stain- or damage-proof; porous by nature, they require special care. • Keep in mind that all materials and finishes hold contaminants differently.
family kitchen and a seldom-used guest bath may represent opposite extremes, but you get the idea. A pool area may need to be cleaned more frequently because of its exposure to water and chemicals. Your maintenance plan may consist of a weekly cleaning and semiannual resealing or a daily cleaning and monthly resealing—or something in between. How to clean Regularly sweep or vacuum tiled floors to remove any abrasive dirt or debris, which can leave scratches or stains if dragged across a tile’s surface.
Sealing porcelain tile • While porcelain tiles do not require a sealer, adding one helps to protect the surrounding grout. We highly recommend using a pre-sealer or grout release before grouting. • Prolonged exposure to water can affect the wear and look of porcelain tiles. • To avoid damage, test all cleaners, sealers, and cleaning tools (such as scrub brushes) on the tile before use. Stains and scratches Different stains or contaminants may require different cleaners.
• Like all materials, ceramic tiles need maintenance, including cleaning and sealing. The frequency of a maintenance program depends on the tiled area’s location and the use it gets. The busier an area is, or the more exposure it has to the elements, the more maintenance it will require. A bustling family kitchen and a seldom-used guest bath may represent opposite extremes, but you get the idea. A pool area may need to be cleaned more frequently because of its exposure to water and chemicals.
• Do not use wax, oil-based, abrasive cleaners, or sealants on ceramic tile. • Products that contain any dyes or colors are not recommended. Sealing ceramic tile While ceramic tiles do not require a sealer, adding one helps to protect the surrounding grout. We highly recommend using a pre-sealer or grout release before grouting. • Prolonged exposure to water can affect the wear and look of ceramic tiles.
• Keep in mind that all materials and finishes hold contaminants differently. A glossy tile may not stain as readily as a matte tile, but polished finishes show scratches more easily. • Impact from hard or heavy objects may damage glass tile, which can lead to chipping or breakage. Always replace any damaged glass tiles immediately to avoid sharp edges or injury. • Like all materials, glass tiles need maintenance, including cleaning and sealing.
Pay special attention when cleaning transition areas where floors and walls meet, as well as areas exposed to more spills or messes, such as the walls behind kitchen appliances. Sealing glass tile • While glass tiles do not require a sealer, adding one helps to protect the surrounding grout. We also highly recommend using a pre-sealer or grout release before grouting. • Prolonged exposure to water can affect the wear and look of glass tile.
• Keep in mind that all materials and finishes hold contaminants differently. A glossy tile may not stain as readily as a matte tile, but polished finishes show scratches more easily. • Like all materials, pearl tiles need maintenance, including cleaning and sealing. The frequency of a maintenance program depends on the tiled area’s location and the use it gets. The busier an area is, or the more exposure it has to the elements, the more maintenance it will require.
Sealing pearl tile • While pearl tiles do not require a sealer, adding one helps to protect the surrounding grout. We also highly recommend using a pre-sealer or grout release before grouting. • Prolonged exposure to water can affect the wear and look of pearl tile. • To avoid damage, test all cleaners, sealers, and cleaning tools (such as scrub brushes) on the tile before use. Stains and scratches Different stains or contaminants may require different cleaners.
stain as readily as a matte tile, but polished finishes show scratches more easily. • Like all materials, stone and marble tiles need maintenance, including cleaning and sealing. The frequency of a maintenance program depends on the tiled area’s location and the use it gets. The busier an area is, or the more exposure it has to the elements, the more maintenance it will require. A bustling family kitchen and a seldom-used guest bath may represent opposite extremes, but you get the idea.
Pay special attention when cleaning transition areas where floors and walls meet, as well as areas exposed to more spills or messes, such as the walls behind kitchen appliances. Sealing stone and marble tile • All natural stone and marble tiles require a sealer, and in most cases, you will need to use a pre-sealer or grout release before grouting. • Prolonged exposure to water can affect the wear and look of natural stone and marble tiles.
