Mark Atkins, technical director of LTP, explains why tiles need to be protected and the steps to ensure optimal maintenance
Polished porcelain and polished glazed porcelain tiles provide a very sleek and elegant surface finish – and one that’s durable and easy to maintain. Despite their high sheen aesthetic, these tiles are vulnerable to staining. Many are pre-sealed as part of the manufacturing process but it’s important to check this protection is up-to-scratch. Tiles can be vulnerable to grout residue during installation and if a factory-applied sealer isn’t in place – or is inferior – permanent staining can result.
To achieve a highly polished ‘marble-like’ appearance, many porcelain tiles are glazed before they’re mechanically polished. This gives the tile a higher lustre and increases reflection and creates a super polished aesthetic. During this abrasive process, it’s not uncommon for tiny cracks called micro-fissures to appear in the surface of the glaze. These cracks are very small and can’t be seen with the naked eye. During installation, fine grout and pigments can accumulate in these micro fissures, creating a picture frame outline or halo-type stain around the edge of the tile. The fissures are so small they’re impossible to penetrate to remove the residue.
Unprotected polished porcelain tiles will also be vulnerable to any spillage or stain that’s able to penetrate these fissures going forward, so adequate protection is key.
How to check if tiles are sufficiently protected
To establish whether a tile is adequately sealed, a quick test can be carried out. Using a black marker pen, make a small mark on a tile off-cut. Leave it to dry for 10-15 minutes and then try to wipe the pen mark off the surface. If it remains, or it leaves an outline or halo, you will need to seal your tiles before grouting.
How to protect polished porcelain tiles
To protect tiles, we recommend LTP MPG sealer. MPG is a colourless, impregnating sealer that contains a nano wax that’s able to penetrate the tiny micro-fissures. It protects tiles from grout residue, as well as water, oil, grease and dirt. MPG is applied with a soft cloth, sealant applicator or sponge and, when dried, it’s buffed into the tile with a clean, dry cloth or a buffing machine.
Once the sealer has cured, it remains in place, providing protection during installation and going forward. For regular cleaning and aftercare of porcelain floors, we recommend our LTP Porcelain Floor Tile Cleaner and, for walls and worktops, LTP Multipurpose Cleaner
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