Sealing, Cleaning, and Maintenance Guidelines

***SEALING, CLEANING & MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS***

 

By following these instructions, your cement tiles will result in a beautiful and durable surface that can be enjoyed for a lifetime! 

  • Treatment must be done after installation when tiles are completely dry.
  • Recommend doing a test on a single tile to check desired finish

SEALING (PRIOR TO GROUTING)

  • After mortar has sufficiently cured, sweep the floor thoroughly to remove all loose grit particles with a broom, mop, or vacuum
  • Wash/Mop the floor with a neutral detergent.
  • Rinse floor thoroughly using liberal amounts of clean water. Remove water from the surface using a shop/wet vacuum and allow the floor to dry thoroughly before sealing or buffing.
  • After installation, tiles must be allowed to breath. Allow all the humidity in the cement tile to evaporate. If the sealer is applied before tiles are completely dry, it will block the evaporation of the underlying humidity and will develop dark damp patches, hairline cracks or pitting.
  • Apply 2 thin coats of penetrating sealer. Apply second coat no less than 1 hour after the first (refer to sealer manufacturer instructions). To apply, use a dry absorbent white cloth, clean mop, or a solvent resistant sprayer. Let penetrating sealer thoroughly dry, approximately 2 hours.

CLEANING (AFTER INSTALLATIONS)

  • Cleaning of tile should be performed no sooner than 3 days from finish installation and not later than 7 days.
  • Using a stiff broom (or bristle scrubber) or a single disk floor machine with a white pad, scrub all tiles using a liquid type of marble cleaner or neutral cleaner. NEVER use vinegar or hydrochloric acid to clean the tiles.
  • Remove any excess water, residue and dirt using a water vac.
  • Rinse floor again with liberal amounts of clean water and again pick up all excess water and let dry.

SEALING (AFTER INSTALLATION)

After cleaning process has been completed and accepted, final sealing of the tile can be performed. Sealing of tile can be performed after installation has cured (2 days minimum). Sealing of the tiles after installation can be done according to one’s desired finish:

  1. Impregnating Sealer: (Natural Invisible look)

Use “Impregnator” type sealers such as Drytreat Stain-Proof, Stone Tech by Dupont, or Miracle sealants. Follow manufacturer instructions.

  1. Stone Enhancer: (Enhanced “rich” look)

Use “Enhancer” type sealers such as Drytreat, Stone Tech by Dupont, or Miracle sealants. Follow manufacturer instructions.

  1. Polishing (Low gloss sheen) This is the traditional method of sealing and protection.
  • Wear protective clothing, including hand and eye wear.
  • If a low sheen natural finish is desired, wet tiles using a spray bottle (work in small areas).
  • Hand broadcast oxalic acid crystals onto wet area.
  • Using a single disc floor machine with a white pad or hemp rope, buff acid crystals into wet area until dry. A light sheen should appear on the tiles as floor dries.
  • Repeat process if needed.
  • After tiles are thoroughly dry, rinse areas and remove any acid crystal residue.
  • Dark colors will show more sheen than light colors.

AFTER SEALING OR POLISHING TILE, WAX CAN BE APPLIED WITH A BUFFER FOR ADDED LAYER OR PROTECTION.

 

DAILY MAINTENANCE ROUTINE

  • The use of properly sized walk-off mats at entrances is most important to remove abrasive grit that may cause wear.
  • Sweep/dust mop regularly.
  • Damp mop as required using a neutral cleaner. DO NOT USE ACIDIC OR ALKALINE CLEANERS.
  • Periodic buffing of tiles with a white pad may be necessary.

STAIN REMOVAL

  • Most stains can be removed using all-propose cleaners.
  • Difficult stains will need to be removed using oxalic acid crystals or cleaners for marble. Wet stained area and rub in circular motions using a white pad until stain disappears. Rinse and remove any residue.

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