There are many reasons why homeowners opt for tiles as part of their home’s aesthetic. Be it inside or outside, around swimming pools, throughout entertaining areas or for water features; tiles are a beautiful and easy to maintain addition to any space. However, they do require care, and as the experts in tile sealing services, Enviro Clean and Capture have all the necessary tips.
Tiles can add measurable value to your home and are robust enough to last for extended periods. However, they do require some maintenance and having your tiles sealed along with routine cleaning are two of the primary ways to take care of them.
Read on as the team here at Enviro Clean and Capture offer some expert solutions for tile sealing and cleaning to ensure your tiles always look their best.
Care requirement: Tile sealing services
The finest form of protection your tiles can have is a quality sealant. This shield against wear and tear, the elements and general dirt and grime can provide a range of benefits for both indoor and outdoor tile. The porous surface of your tiles can vary based on the many different types, but we are yet to see any manufacturer’s recommendations that do not involve some level of sealing.
The primary benefits of sealing your tiles include:
- Protection from stains
- A non-slip coating
- Protection from UV degradation
- Prevention of fungus, mould and bacterial build-up
- A barrier of protection against organic matter and pests
- Security from all forms of chemicals and contaminants
- Oil protection
- A way to uphold the original appearance of the tile
- A way to make your cleaning requirements much simpler
The application process of your sealant is also vital. If misapplied, the sealant may be rendered useless while also affecting the finish of the tiles. To avoid this, the tile sealing of the expert team at Enviro Clean and Capture ensures the task is performed correctly.
Lowering the risk of damage to your tiles
Along with correct sealing, there are some elements and situations to be aware of to help protect your tiles further. While mistakes do happen, you can keep these situations in mind to try and avoid damage to the porous materials that make up your tile type. Various fluids and contaminants can compromise the look and structural integrity of your flooring, both indoors and out.
For the following reasons, unsealed tiles should definitely be avoided. Moisture, residues and biohazards can very easily infiltrate a tile’s surface, and with no sealant to protect them, you will be up for some costly repairs quickly.
Be aware of the following risks to your tiles:
Excess water on your tiles
Water is somewhat avoidable on your tiles, especially if they are outdoors or in wet areas like a bathroom. While water does not pose a significant threat, the other contaminants it can contain may negatively affect the tile’s structure.
To avoid this, try not to have too much water sitting on your tiles for excessive amounts of time.
Long periods of UV exposure
This is another tough one to avoid for outdoor tiles, but something to be aware of. Tiles are made to withstand natural elements, and they do this quite well. However, Australia’s harsh sun and UV exposure will fade the colours and finishes of your tiles over time, especially if they have no sealant protection.
Sealant can be a sunscreen of sorts to protect flooring from harsh UV.
Wild weather
Your tiles are well equipped and robust enough to handle seasonal weather and standard amounts of rainfall, however, extreme weather can put extra pressure on them. In the event of heavy rain, hail, heavy winds or scattered debris, your tiles are at more of a risk.
Regularly scheduled maintenance, cleaning and resealing is the best way to ensure your tiles have the protection they need from severe weather conditions. The team at Enviro Clean and Capture offer a total solution with regular servicing so you won’t have to think twice about your tile’s protection. Sydney and the broader New South Wales community turn to us for tile sealing services and scheduled cleaning.
Finding the right sealant for your tile type
A significant reason why Sydney homeowners entrust us with the sealing of their tiles is for the peace of mind in knowing the right sealant has been used. Depending on the porousness of your tile’s fabrication material, a specialised sealant may be required.
The wrong sealant not only presents the risk of not protecting your tiles properly, but can also make the tile slippery, creating an unnecessary, but serious safety risk. The wrong sealant type can also reduce the longevity of your tiles leading to an expensive early replacement sooner than later.
The following are the primary sealant types that offer effective protection:
Water-based sealers have a polymer within them that makes its way into the pores of the tile. This forms a continuous clear coating that offers significant protection for your tiles.
Penetrating sealers are effective for concrete or masonry tiles as the sealer chemically reacts below the surface and does not create any surface film. If you want to avoid altering the natural aesthetic of your tile, this is a well-suited option.
Solvent-based sealants are tailored to granite or porcelain as they offer deep penetration and dry fast. However, these sealers contain hazardous chemicals and should only be applied by expert sealing and cleaning specialists to avoid unnecessary exposure to toxic fumes and materials.
Care requirement: Scheduled cleaning and resealing
The correct process for tile care is an ongoing job, and while it may seem easier to just set and forget, assuming your tiles can survive on their own, the truth is, this will be something you regret when you need to replace them early. With routine cleaning and sealant reapplication, you can ensure the longest possible lifespan for your tiles, with the added bonus of them looking great, all of the time.
The length of time between various cleans and reseals will vary for different tiles and sealants and must take into account local environmental factors, foot traffic, and the position of the tiles in the home. A thorough and professional deep clean and sealant reapplication once a year is recommended, with sealant reapplication every six months for high traffic areas.
The team at Enviro Clean and Capture can assess your needs based on the tile type and location, then create a regular schedule that includes a reminder for scheduled maintenance. This not only offers the benefit of saving you time. It reduces maintenance pressure and gives you peace of mind in knowing the task is taken care of, and tiles are protected and cared for all year round.
Signs that your tiles need resealing
For those who wish to manage their tile care schedule by themselves, it is important to be able to recognise when your tiles are due for resealing. We recommend the following simple test to understand the condition of your tiles sealant:
This can be performed in three simple steps:
- Pour a small amount of water on the surface of your tiles (perform the test on a high traffic area)
- Level out the water
- Observe how the moisture reacts
If you find that the water beads on the surface of the tile, your sealant is doing its job. If the water is absorbed by your tiles, it is time for resealing. If you perform this test but are still unsure of the results, book a consultation with the cleaning and sealing experts at Enviro Clean and Capture who will assess your situation and provide a professional recommendation.
An important note for those considering a DIY tile sealing solution
In our many years of experience, we have seen plenty of cases in which an attempt has been made with DIY sealant kits. The mixed results and inconsistencies of these kits create a significant risk to the protection of your tiles, and you should be aware of this before attempting to use them.
Experienced, professional cleaning and tile sealing services offer the following benefits that DIY kits do not:
- The right tools for the job
- The correct sealant and application for your type of tile
- Deep penetration and consistent application
- Effectiveness and longevity due to the thorough application
- A significant time saving for you
The money that many homeowners try to save on DIY tasks often is spent on repairs when things do not go to plan. An investment in professional cleaning and sealing is the best way to ensure quality and correct protection.
The regular maintenance you can (and should) perform
While we recommend the serious stuff be taken care of with professional cleaning and resealing, there are regular spot clean tasks that you should perform to ensure continual upkeep. With the right sealant, this should become a very quick chore.
The following steps provide an effective clean between scheduled resealing applications, which luckily, thanks to your quality sealing, will not take too long:
- Remove all debris and organic matter with a broom
- Hose the tiles or wash with a mop
- Apply an environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaning solution
- Scrub soiled and marked areas with a harder brush (if required)
- Wash with clean water allow to air dry
This process when performed regularly will keep your tiles free of pollutants, oils and residues that will affect their appearance. With the right sealer, your tiles should be able to withstand tough stains, meaning the above task shouldn’t take more than 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of your tiled area.
Reap the benefits of a professional tile sealing
A professional tile sealing service and routine deep cleaning is the proper way to take care of your beautiful tiles. The team at Enviro Clean and Capture can provide this with a range of industry-leading high-pressure cleaning systems along with environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. We’ll offer the deepest clean along with scheduled sealant maintenance.
This means your tiles are always protected with our environmentally friendly cleaning products. We use non-toxic solutions so children, pets and loved ones are safe, as are your plants and garden beds. Ensure that your tile investment receives the finest levels of care, and save time in your schedule by ticking this chore off the list.
A professional tile sealing service is vital when it comes to ensuring your tiles look their best and go the distance. It is also important to note that your tiles should be sealed right after being laid.
Tile sealing services in Sydney
Trust the care of your tiles to the highly skilled team at Enviro Clean and Capture today. We ensure all team members receive regular training and re-skilling with innovative tile cleaning technologies and techniques to guarantee the finest results every time.
Our full range of professional cleaning and sealing services include:
- Tile, paver and concrete cleaning
- Glass restoration and coating
- Tile, paver and stone sealing
- Natural and moulded stone cleaning
Ask about our environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions today. We’ll run a quick assessment of your needs and offer a competitive quote that is tailored to your property. This is the most efficient way to get the best results. Ask about a regular cleaning and scheduling service as well so you’ll never have to worry about your tile care again.
Contact our helpful staff today on 1300 415 213 to get started. We’re also on-hand to answer any questions you may have in regards to cleaning and protective care for your property and can provide quotes for commercial applications as well. Let’s get started today!
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