Tiles offer a versatile flooring medium and come in a diverse range of colours, patterns, textures, materials, styles and sizes. They can breathe new life into an existing space, and bring definition to a room’s architectural features. Tile sealing and cleaning can help in maintaining the beauty of your flooring.
There are many different types of tile, with both glazed or naturally porous surfaces. Depending on this feature, you may have been offered, or read about the benefits of sealing your tiles and grout to protect your expensive investment.
Not all tiles require sealing as they are sealed while undergoing the process of glazing.
Examples of tiles that are naturally sealed include:
- Glazed ceramic tiles
- Glazed porcelain tiles
- Glazed cement tiles
- Glass tiles
- Metal tiles
- Resin tiles
Even when glazed or naturally sealed materials are used, it is advised to seal the grout between the tiles, which is porous by nature, to ensure ease of cleaning and prevent staining and premature cracking.
Likewise, If your tiles are not glazed or naturally sealed, then it is likely that your tiles have a porous surface that needs to be protected by a sealer.
Different types of tile fabrication materials have different porosity levels, and a specific sealant may be required to optimise the sealant’s effect.
Examples of tiles that may benefit from a protective sealant include:
- Natural ceramic tiles
- Natural porcelain tiles
- Sandstone
- Granite
- Concrete tiles
- Other natural stone tiles
With so many different tile types and various brands of sealants on the market, promoting the effectiveness of their product, it can become confusing when performing DIY sealing.
You can negate this confusion by utilising a professional tile sealing service like the ones we offer here at Enviro Clean and Capture. This will ensure the right cleaning products and sealants are used for your tiles initial and on-going maintenance applications.
If you require more information about effective professional tile sealing and cleaning, Sydney and surrounding areas, call one of our helpful team members to arrange a consultation.
What does “porous” mean?
The dictionary defines porous as “any material that contains minute interstices through which air or liquid may pass.”
Any porous tile, such as the ones mentioned above, contain small gaps and spaces that can be permeated by water and dirt. Over time, moisture and other pollutants like debris, cleaning chemicals and even mildew and mould can begin to degrade your tiles prematurely.
As the name suggests, a sealant seals these porous interstices and prevents fluids and foreign matter permeating your tiles and grout.
Different types of sealant
There are many different sealant brands on the market, made from a variety of natural and chemical compounds.
Examples of different types of sealants you may come across include:
- Water-based Latex
- Silicones
- Polyurethanes
- Acrylics
- Polyisobutylene
- Natural waxes and more
Even though this all sounds like complex chemistry, all sealants will generally fall into two main categories; surface and penetrating sealants.
Surface sealants
Surface sealants, also known as topical sealants, act as a protective film or layer over the top of your tiles and grout; this not only aids in keeping liquids and debris out of the pores of your tile, it also makes cleaning your tiles a lot easier.
A surface sealant, however, does not get into the deeper porous cavities within the tile itself. To get sealant deep into the tile’s pores, it is better to use a penetrating sealer.
Penetrating sealants
Penetrating sealants, sometimes called impregnating sealants, go beyond the surface of your tiles and grout, filling the pores and creating a protective seal within the structure of the tile.
Penetrating sealers can yield different effects, such as gloss or matte finishes. It may be worth arranging a consultation on-site with a trained professional to guarantee the desired results.
Penetrating sealers have come a long way since in recent years; the team here at Enviro Clean and Capture are on the cutting edge of tiles sealant and application techniques and can advise you on which option may be best for your tile type.
What to look for in a sealant
When deciding what sealant to use for your specific type of porous tile, it is important to consider the quality and properties your sealant must embody to achieve the desired result.
Some attributes to consider when selecting the correct sealant for your tiles could include:
- Consistency
- Hardness and durability
- Exposure resistance
- Movement capabilities
- Adhesion
- Staining
- Content of VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
- Cost-effectiveness
- Ease of application and ease of cleaning
The team here at Enviro Clean and Capture can help you assess your pre-existing or new tiles, and assist you in choosing your best value for money option without compromising effectiveness.
The benefits of tile and grout sealing
If you have been researching tile sealing online, you may have read that glazed tiles do not require a sealant for protection, which may be true in most circumstances.
However, natural tile finishes like cement, stone, ceramic and porcelain tiles will benefit significantly from an effective sealant. Tiles are an expensive investment, and can dramatically alter the aesthetic of your home’s spaces.
Sealing your tiles offers a wide range of benefits that will not only protect your investment but also make maintenance considerably easier.
Some of the many benefits of sealing porous tiles include:
- Protection from stains and marks
- Ease of cleaning
- Promotes longevity
- Guards from contaminants and pollutants
- Protection from chemical degradation
Even if you have glazed tiles that do not require a sealant, your grout may be a different story. Many popular grouts are porous by nature, and applying a quality sealant after the grout has thoroughly dried can prevent frustrating occurrences such as:
- Cracking
- Discolouration
- Inconsistent finishes
- Time-consuming cleaning regimes
- Staining and more
Quality tile and grout work not only looks fantastic but can also add value to your home. Your tile and grout must remain in good condition to maximise this opportunity to increase your properties resale value.
If you require expert advice on how to tackle your grout and tile sealing and cleaning, Sydney, the team here at Enviro Clean and Capture can help you take the best actions to maximise the protection of your investment.
What happens if I don’t seal my tiles?
Many property owners assume that the main risks associated with unsealed tiles and grout are purely aesthetic; this, however, is not the full story.
As well as reduced longevity unsealed tiles and grout may present health hazards in some circumstances. Below we will look at two of the main dangers that can occur when you leave your flooring unsealed and unmaintained.
Chipping and cracking
Unsealed tiles can be prone to degradation and premature wear and tear. As covered earlier, allowing moisture, contaminants and pollutants to permeate your tiles can reduce their strength; this can result in chipping and cracking that may have been avoided if the tiles were effectively sealed and maintained.
Mould and mildew growth
Unsealed tiles in damp areas with insufficient aeration can be hazardous for your tiles and your properties’ occupants. Mould spores and mildew have been linked to a number of health concerns that can affect you or your loved ones.
Some of the effects of prolonged mould, mildew and fungal exposure include:
- Throat irritations
- Nasal issues
- Eye irritation
- Coughs and wheezing
- Asthma
- Skin irritations and infections
- Lung disease and more
In more extreme cases, TMS (Toxic Mould Syndrome) has even been linked to memory loss, insomnia, concentration problems, anxiety and depression.
On top of these serious health concerns, these toxic organic compounds can also stain, mark and reduce the aesthetic of your tiles and grout while also weakening their structure.
Effective initial sealing, and regular cleaning and resealing regimes can significantly reduce the chances of mould, fungus and mildew hiding away in porous spaces within your floorings, protecting your investment and the health of your properties occupants.
The team here at Enviro Clean and Capture have decades of combined experience providing professional tile sealing and cleaning, Sydney and surrounding regions. Call our team today to learn more about the many benefits of utilising our professional services to seal and maintain your tiles and grouting.
How often do you need to reapply sealant?
As a general rule, most porous tiles will need a deep clean and sealant reapplication annually; this can vary between sealant manufacturers. Some brands will suggest resealing every six months.
After utilising our services, we can provide you with a reminder call or message to arrange an assessment or scheduled service of your tiles.
How do I know when tiles need resealing?
It is easy to lose track of time, and tile cleaning and resealing can quite often be the last thing on a property owner’s mind in these busy modern times.
If there are no apparent signs of flaking, discolouration or lifting of your sealant, the best way to check is with a simple water test.
Take a glass of water to your tile and drip some onto the surface of the tile with your finger. If the water gets quickly absorbed by the tile instead of beading on the surface, it is a reliable indication that it’s time for a pressure clean and reseal.
Can I clean and seal my tiles myself?
It would seem that what sounds like a reasonably straightforward task is actually more complicated than it looks.
While DIY cleaning kits are readily available at most hardware stores, property owners will always be short of the experience and techniques to consistently and effectively clean and apply a sealant to your tiles and grout.
The problem with taking even an educated guess at the correct tile and grout sealant for your flooring is that once the sealant is applied, you will have to deal with the positive or negative results that ensue.
If the sealant you have selected is the not best option for your tile and grout type or the sealant has been ineffectively or unevenly applied, a range of problems could arise, including:
- Inconsistent finishes
- Ineffective sealing
- Permanent stains and marks
- Bubbling or pitting
- Discolouration or cloudiness
- Peeling and flaking
Professional cleaning and sealing companies like the team here at Enviro Clean and Capture specialise in the job at hand.
We live and breath flooring protection and maintenance, and by utilising our highly experienced technicians for tile sealing and cleaning, Sydney, you will guarantee that you will get the best results possible for your investment.
The benefits of professional tile sealing and cleaning
Many people who choose to clean and seal their own tiles find that the job is more challenging than they anticipated once they get started.
Cleaning grout can be especially challenging if too much time has passed between deep cleans and resealing applications, leaving uneven colouration and dark marks in lighter coloured grout.
Although a stiff brush, a bucket of cleaning solution or a hose can yield good results with maintenance cleaning, you may find that your tiles and grout could benefit from a professional clean between and before resealing applications.
When it comes to giving your tiles a deep clean, many people hire a high-pressure cleaner for the job. Although this will give your tiles a thorough clean, a generic pressure cleaning can do more harm than good.
Too much high-pressure water could actually start to remove some of the tile surface itself, creating pits and unnecessary degradation to your tiles and grout. Professional cleaning companies like the crew here at Enviro Clean and Capture use custom-designed pressure cleaners that will provide optimal results without the risk of damaging your flooring.
Likewise with applying and reapplying your sealant after a clean. Our expert technicians have the proper training and tools for the job, ensuring that your tiles have had the correct sealant applied while providing an even application and deep penetration of the sealant.
Speak to the experts in tile sealing
The professionals here at Enviro Clean and Capture strive to remain at the forefront of tile and grout cleaning and sealing. We use state of the art technology designed for the job.
Our crew receives regularly updated training and reskilling to ensure our client’s flooring is always looking its best, and that our customer’s tiles and grouting reach or exceed their estimated life expectancy.
If you require more information or wish to arrange a no-obligation free quote for professional tile sealing and cleaning, Sydney, and greater NSW regions, contact our friendly staff today for advice or arrange a consultation.
You can also contact us by heading over to our online quote request or contact form, and one of our helpful team members can contact you at a preferred time.
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