As with every interior surfacing material, ceramic tiles require nominal care in order to maintain a satisfactory appearance and acceptable cleanliness. Ceramic tiles are categorised as a finish material. As such these tiles should not be installed until after all in-progress heavy construction work has been completed. In instances where these tiles are installed prior to the completion of construction, special care must be taken to protect the tiles until they are put into normal service. The general build-up of dirt and debris present in any residential and construction site may adversely affect the performance of the tiles if left unprotected. The best way to protect the tile surface is to cover it with a protective layer of Kraft paper, carpeting, cardboard, plywood, or any other material that will not adversely affect the tile surface. Plastic sheet is not suitable for this purpose as it may induce sweating (condensation) and discoloration by restricting the grout and bedding material to dry properly.
Initial Cleaning After Grouting
The most important cleaning operation is performed immediately after the tile has been set. This involves the complete removal of grout residue and construction dirt from the newly installed tile floor. The cleaning agents are easily available from grout and adhesive manufacturers who will provide instructions for the cleaning after installation of the tiles have been completed. These instructions should be followed.
Before grouting, it is strongly recommended that a test patch be done to ensure the grout pigment will not stain the tile surface. This is especially important for ceramic glazed tiles with rough, anti-slip textures and polished porcelain tiles. Special care and testing should be done when light coloured tiles are to be grouted with a dark coloured grout. If no grout discolouration occurs, proceed with the grouting, taking care to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If the grout pigment stains or discolours the surface of the tile, a proprietary grout release should be used prior to grouting. For polished porcelain tiles, the tiles should be sealed with a penetrating sealant before grouting.
The timing of the clean-up process after grouting is crucial in that the grout residue that is left on the surface of the tiles will tend to set up much faster than the grout that is in the tile joints. Excess grout not removed after the installation process can result in an ugly film known as grout haze.
There are several products in the market called grout haze removers which usually contain sulfamic acid, a mild acid that essentially breaks down the cement residue. However, higher performance polymer modified grout may leave a haze on the tile surface that is more difficult to remove. This type of grout haze can be removed using a scouring pad with a suitable grout remover containing a combination of a solvent and diluted acid followed by thorough rinsing with water. Should any installation residue remain, this process can be repeated several times as necessary.
General Cleaning Guide
The inherent technical characteristics of ceramic tiles ensure that they will be relatively easy to maintain and should provide years in service. Many general-purpose cleaners that are readily available are acceptable for use on tiles. It is important that the cleaner has a non-oil, non-animal fat, non-soap base. These components can leave behind an invisible residue which can trap dirt. It is also important that the tile receives a thorough rinsing with clean water after the cleaning process has been completed.
Generally, tiles with rough, anti-slip texture tend to collect dirt and grime more readily and therefore would require more maintenance than tiles with smooth texture.
The general cleaning steps for ceramic tiles can be summarised as follows:
- Remove all loose debris from the tile by sweeping with a soft bristle broom or by vacuuming.
- Any spills should be wiped up as quickly as possible.
- For routine cleaning, the tiles can be cleaned using a microfibre mop or cloth dampened with water. No cleaners are necessary on glazed ceramic tiles but if required, a normal soap less detergent may be used.
- For more heavily soiled floors, allow the cleaner to remain on the tile surface for a short period of time. Proceed to work in a small area (about 3-4 square metres) at a time, scrubbing with a nylon pad or soft bristle brush. Continue until the entire surface has been scrubbed. For larger areas, a scrubbing machine may be necessary to do the job.
- Remove the dirty cleaning solution and water with a wet vacuum or mop. Thoroughly rinse the tile with clean water and remove with a wet vacuum, mop, or towel. It is absolutely essential for all cleaner residues to be completely removed from the tile. Any remaining cleaner residue can dry on the tile and form a coating which can trap dirt and be very difficult to remove later. The tile should be rinsed several times if necessary.
- Repeat the above process if dirt persists.
The frequency and timing of any maintenance regime is dependent on the specific characteristics of each tile application. Factors such as traffic, environmental conditions, surface texture of the tiles and product type should be considered when planning the schedule of the maintenance.
Transit Wax Coating on Polished Porcelain Tiles
Some polished porcelain tiles are supplied with a protective transit wax on the tile surface which serves to protect the polished surface from scratches and dirt during transit. This thin wax coat should be completely removed before sealing. To remove the wax coat, use a wax cleaner from your local store.
Sealing of Polished Porcelain Tiles
Unless the tiles are pre-sealed with Nano (please refer to section on ‘Maintenance of Nano Polished Porcelain Tiles’), all polished porcelain tiles must be cleaned thoroughly and then sealed with a penetrating sealant or impregnator after installation to prevent it from staining by dirt or spill liquids. A penetrating sealer or impregnator is designed to seal the microscopic pores created during the polishing process.
When a contrasting-coloured grout is used, always test out on an inconspicuous area of the tiles prior to installation. If the grout does stains, the tiles must be sealed with a penetrating sealant on the surface and all edges (including the cut edges) before installation.
Maintenance of Nano Polished Porcelain Tiles
Currently, most polished porcelain tiles are supplied with a nano surface treatment which seals the microscopic pores making the tile surface stain and dirt resistant. Therefore, these tiles need not be sealed after installation.
Nano polished tiles may also be supplied with a protective transit wax which must be removed after installation.
After a period of time in service, (normally a few years), it may be necessary to re-apply a nano coat. This will depend on the amount of wear the tiles are subjected to and how the floor is maintained. A number of nano products are now available. Always follow the instructions on its usage and application.
Do’s And Don’ts On Tile Care
- DO test out all cleaners on a small, inconspicuous area to determine if it will work without damaging the tiles before actual cleaning commences.
- DO test scouring pads in a small area first.
- DO read and follow label instructions for all cleansers and sealants.