Glazed Ceramic, Porcelain & Vitrified Wall and Floor Tiles

Day to day care

Some glazed wall tiles are supplied having a thin wax coating to the back of the tile in order to prevent scratching of the glazed surface during packaging and transit. The wax may often be transferred to the tile face and is best removed with white spirit and a soft cloth.

The routine cleaning of glazed ceramic tiles should be carried out after the removal of any loose dirt or grit by wiping off with a dry cloth, followed by washing with warm water to which a neutral, low sulfate detergent has been added. After a further rinse with water to ensure thorough removal of the detergent solution the installation should be given a final wipe down and polish with a clean, dry, soft cloth.

Longer Term Maintenance

At times grouting can become discoloured over time, if this happens it is possible to regrout the tile joints or use grout rejuvenator.

Re-grouting tiles

Where grouting has become discoloured, scrape it out a few millimetres below the surface and apply fresh grout. A special tool should be used to carefully remove grout without scratching the face of the tile. After removing grout, brush out dust and debris from the joints, wash down the surface and allow to dry. Once surfaces and joints are dry, apply the new grout carefully to the joints. Allow the newly applied grout to dry according to the manufacturers instructions.

Rejuvenating grout

Grout rejuvenator often comes in the form of a ready-mixed paint which forms a waterproof bond over the old grouting. The grout paints come in many different colours to choose from. Before applying grout rejuvenator the surfaces must be clean and dry. Grout rejuvenator should be applied carefully using an applicator brush with a back-and-forth motion. Thin, even coats should be applied, limiting the amount of Grout Colorant that gets on the tile. Allow the grouts to dry according to manufacturers instructions.

Refurbishment

A very common decision to make when re-tiling is whether to tile over existing tile or remove the old tiles first. It can be time consuming to remove old tiles and also the wall surface may be damaged by removing the tiles and need subsequent making good before re-tiling. Also, the possibility of damaging nearby surfaces, or sinks, baths etc should be considered.

It is quite common to tile over existing tile, and generally this is not a problem provided the appropriate factors are taken into account. The following as minimum should be considered, although each project requires individual assessment before commencing works.

• The existing tiles must be soundly bonded to the walls.
• Some backgrounds such as plaster and plasterboard may have a recommended weight limit for a square unit of measurement, this should not be exceeded
• Only certain tile adhesives are suitable for tile on tile. Check  out our recommend suppliers Granfix website www.tileadhesive.co.uk   
• Tile over tile can be noticeable around the perimeters of a room such as coving, door jambs

We recommend the use of our  Quality Wall and Floor care products to care for your wall and floor surfaces, the range includes the following products:

Sealers:

• Slate & Granite Sealer
• Marble, Travertine & Limestone Sealer
• Porcelain Sealer
• Wall & Grout Protector

Cleaners:

• Slate & Granite Cleaner
• Marble, Travertine & Limestone Cleaner
• Porcelain Cleaner
• Wall & Floor Grout Cleaner

Natural Stone Wall and Floor Tiles

Cleaning and maintenance of different types of natural stone can vary considerably and we recommend that the suppliers' instructions are always followed. This guide gives a few tips on how to care for your natural stone flooring, provided appropriate cleaning agents are used and any suppliers instructions are taken into consideration.

Sealing Natural Stone

Natural stone is a porous material which can absorb spills and stains if left untreated. Natural stone requires sealing to protect spills from damaging the surface. There is a variety of sealers available for different types of stone, please follow manufacturers instructions when sealing natural stone.

Day to Day Care

To minimise scratching and other surface damage to your flooring, keep the surface free of dust and dry sandy soil. For natural stone floors, beware that daily walkways and heavy traffic areas are prone to wear-patterns developing and therefore regular sweeping and dusting is recommended.

Most natural stone wall and floor tiles can be cleaned with warm water and clean, non-abrasive cloth, sponge or mop. When a spill occurs, it is important that it is cleaned up quickly. Using a neutral cleaner which is suitable for natural stone can help remove soils and dirt that normal dusting or damp mopping may leave behind. Please follow manufacturer's instructions when using cleaning agents.

Use of general purpose cleaners is not recommended as this may damage or stain the stone or sealer. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids as this may damage the surface. Do not use scouring powders or creams or other abrasive cleaning methods as these may scratch the surface.

Longer Term Maintenance

Various stone revitaliser and cleaning products are available for most types of natural stone. Periodic use of these products can help to keep your natural stone surfaces stain free and looking good for years to come. When using these products, please follow manufacturer's instructions.

In addition, grout cleaner and revitaliser can be used if the grout becomes discoloured. Specific products are available for natural stone grout cleaning, please follow manufacturer's instructions.

Refurbishment

It is recommended that refurbishment of natural stone is carried out by knowledgeable professionals. It is possible to use natural stone stripper to remove any stains, existing sealant or any other residue from the surface of the stone. The stone surface can then be re-sealed using the appropriate products to produce a new, clean and ready to use natural stone surface.