Most grout is porous and is subject to staining if not sealed. Sealer protects the grout and simplifies maintenance.
Use unsanded grout on walls and sanded grout on floors.
Grout colorant
re-colors, seals, and rejuvenates grout joints.
To remove any ground-in dirt from grout joints, simply use a scrub brush directly on the grout joint.
Cleaners containing acid or bleach should never be used for routine maintenance. Acidic cleaners, even a light solution of vinegar and water, will etch and eventually damage tile and stone. Acidic cleaners will also cause cementitious grout to deteriorate and strip the pigmentation from colored grout.
Acidic liquids
such fruit juices, wine, and most carbonated beverages should be removed immediately from all natural stone surfaces to avoid surface etching and staining.
It is very important to protect stone and porous tile by sealing. Ceramic tile does not need to be sealed. Sealing protects and provides greater stain resistance and easier on-going maintenance. Sealing also preserves the beauty and prolongs the life of the surface. When sealing your stone or tile, you can choose from a no-sheen to a high-sheen depending on the material, surface area to be sealed, and personal preference.
For newly installed natural stone, pre-grouting sealing will help protect all natural stone surfaces from grout pigment staining during the installation and grouting process, especially when contrasting colors are used.
It is recommended to use the same sealer during the pre-grout sealing process and the final sealing process.
Stone enhancer
is a no-sheen penetrating sealer that rejuvenates the color and improves the appearance of worn and weathered stone.
Do not use adhesive remover
on polished, agglomerate, or man-made marble as it may etch a polished surface and dissolve the epoxy resin binders in the stone.
Rustic clay tiles (Saltillo, Adobe, Terra Cotta) are not freeze-thaw stable and should not be used in exterior areas in climates that are prone to freeze-thaw conditions.
Rustic clay tiles are very porous and subject to surface wear and staining if not properly sealed and maintained.
Prior to sealing and finishing, the tile should be dry and free of contaminates
that may affect proper bonding. All dirt, dust, grout, mortar residue, grout release, acid residue, or previously applied sealers should be removed.
Rustic clay tiles are very porous and prone to grout staining if not protected prior to the grouting process.
Grout a small pre-sealed area to determine ease of grout residue cleanup
Efflorescence
is a whitish powdery residue that often occurs on rustic clay or cement products. It is simply a result of moisture dissolving naturally-occuring soluable salts (minerals) in the substrate or clay tile and depositing them on the surface. Efflorescence may reoccur but will normally subside after all soluable salts have been dissolved with cleaner.
For deep set stains in rustic clay tile that don't come off with cleaner, it may be necessary to strip and clean the entire tile. The individual tile can be resealed and refinished after cleaning. This procedure may initially affect the appearance of the individual tile, but should blend with the overall installation within a few days.
Ammonia-type cleaners will break down wax-type finishes
High-gloss sealer is not recommended for exterior areas
ALWAYS
read product directions carefully with special attention to test procedures since results are subject to variation depending on characteristics of the tile and jobsite conditions.
