Jim Percival, technical director at Palace Chemicals, considers how a high-quality tiling project requires a certain amount of maintenance after the tiles have been fixed
ANYONE who thinks, once your tiles are in place and the grout is dry, the job is done, is very much mistaken. A lot depends on the type of tiles, but there’s still work to do on a completed tiling job to protect its aesthetics, the hygiene of the installation and in some cases the tiles themselves.
Although sometimes, people think all tiles are impervious, this is in fact not correct. The surfaces of tiles and stones are to some degree semi-porous and are covered in microscopic pores, making them more susceptible to water penetration or the trapping of dirt, which can quickly make the tiles look stained.
To reduce this risk of staining, porous and semi-porous tiles should always be sealed. Tile sealers create an invisible protective layer over the surface, stopping liquids and grime from penetrating into the tile. This ensures a long-lasting and beautiful finish. However, it’s not just an issue of aesthetics, but also one of hygiene, so it’s particularly important to pay attention to correct sealing in kitchens, food preparation areas and washrooms.
Irrespective of the type of tile, grout joints should also be sealed to preserve their durability and colour retention. Most grout types are only water-resistant (which means they allow water to slowly permeate in without degrading in any way), so the tile joint surface will benefit from sealing to prevent the ingress of moisture and dirt, which will cause staining, discolouration and potential hygiene issues, especially in kitchen or washroom areas.
For this purpose, an impregnating sealer for tile and stone can be used. The use of an impregnating sealer will also help prevent efflorescence which can be caused by repeated exposure to intermittent wet to dry cycles as well as secondary efflorescence from the background. These might occur in external locations, owing to weather and other external sources. A sealer will protect the semi-porous joint from moisture ingress and consequential contaminant absorption.
In addition to sealing, a good cleaning regime is also important, for both tiles and grout, particularly with regard to the initial clean after installation. A poor initial clean and subsequent accumulation of dirt can create maintenance issues.
This applies to all tile types. Ceramic tile faces are usually non-absorbent and although they’re resistant to water and many staining agents, marks can still appear which can diminish the original as new look and this effect can be reduced if the right cleaning products are used according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Spots and stains can appear on new porcelain tiles as well. Sometimes, footprints will also cause staining and can be hard to remove. To avoid this, a thorough clean immediately after installation is essential, as it’s important to remove grout residue from the tile face, which if left unattended, even small blooms can encourage dirt pick-up. It’s also important to bear in mind that a completely different type of cleaner will be required to remove an epoxy grout residue than would be the case for a cement-based grout.
There are a few dos and don’ts associated with cleaning, in addition to stressing the importance of the good initial clean. Use a pH neutral, acid-free cleaner to remove grout film from the surface of any tile or natural stone which is known to be sensitive to acid. This will be non-hazardous, safe to use and won’t damage the tiles.
External tiled spaces should receive particular attention, as they’re susceptible to several issues which can cause problems. These include: the growth of algae, which as well as being unsightly, can make surfaces slippery and unsightly; deterioration caused by weathering – for example rain, snow, UV, large temperature fluctuations; efflorescence; stains such as rust, oil, grease, or water stains, can accumulate on patios and walls, affecting their appearance.
In external locations using the most appropriate cleaning products is crucial, whether working with natural stone or contemporary porcelain tiles and these should ideally be effective in removing organic growths such as mould or mildew. Shortcuts would risk leaving the surface inadequately cleaned. After completing the cleaning process, the next important step involves applying a protective sealant or treatment, especially when working with porous surfaces such as natural stone and pre-cast slabs, where the choice of surface sealant should be based on a product which is specifically recommended for the tile, stone and surface type concerned. Also, it’s important to be aware that a repeat application every few years will be necessary to ensure the prolonged preservation of the tiled surface appearance.
01513 369104
sales@palacechemicals.co.uk
www.palacechemicals.co.uk
