Ceramic/Porcelain

Regular care and maintenance will keep your ceramic tile looking new for years to come.

A few handy tips

• Allow your Ceramic and/or Porcelain Tile and grout to dry a minimum of 72 hours after its installation before cleaning so as not to disturb the adhesive or grout before it has fully dried.
• Sweep your tile floor regularly to loosen and remove dirt or dust. If you use a vacuum cleaner, use one without a beater bar to avoid dulling and scratching the tiles.
• Use mats to minimize dirt being tracked in at entranceways, and shake them often. This will reduce wear to the finished surface.
• Damp-mop your ceramic floor regularly with warm water. - A mild detergent soap may be used on Porcelain Tile but it is not appropriate to use it on Ceramic Tile as it can dull the surface and/or promote the growth of mildew. Consult the cleaning product’s instructions to make sure it is compatible with your type of tile. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry to remove any film and for maximum shine.
• Clean up spills as quickly as possible so as not to stain the grout or tile.

• Ceramic tile is very durable, but it is not indestructible and may crack or chip if subjected to extreme force. Be careful when moving heavy objects across your tile floor and cover chair and table legs with protectors. If a tile must be replaced, the replacement product may differ slightly from the lot used during initial installation. However, over time and usage, the replaced tile should blend in with the original ones.

No-Nos

• Avoid using steel wool, scouring powders, or other abrasives that can scratch the finish of the tile.
• Bleach or ammonia-based cleaners can discolour your grout if used too often.

• Do not clean glazed tile with oil-based cleaners.

Final advice

• Once the tile has been laid and grouted, it is important to maintain areas exposed to water by caulking. Caulking will prevent expensive subsurface damage and keep the tiled areas looking their best.
• Sealing new tile and grout may be an option. After installation is complete and the grout has cured, sealing the grout and tile can provide protection from dirt and spills by slowing down the staining process.
• There are innovative grout colorants that can transform the original colour of grout and sometimes act as a sealant. If you are using non-epoxy grout in your joints, they should be treated with a silicone sealer.
• Remember to consult the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintaining your specific ceramic tile floor.