Stone Tile Maintenance

About Stone Tiles

Stone Tiles is a generic term encompassing a range quarried tiles, including

1. BlueStone
2. Granite
3. Limestone
4. Marble
5. Terracotta
6. Travertine
7. Sandstone
8. Slate (Total TileCare does not deal with Slate Tiles)

Natural stone tiles can be beautiful. As a natural product they are less uniform in colour and quality than man-made alternatives, but it is because of their non-uniformity that small amounts of dirt / wear are less obvious than in more uniform manufactured tiles.

The hardness of natural Stone Tiles varies significantly. Softer stone (e.g. Limestone) tiles are not recommended for very heavy traffic floor areas.

Likewise, the level of porosity of natural Stone Tiles also varies enormously. Natural Stone Tiles are generally quite porous, and will stain easily. These Stone Tiles must be sealed and periodically resealed. Further, most stone is susceptible to even light acid products, for example, citrus based cleaners, red wine, fruit juice and vinegar. Exposure to acid can result in etching (damage) to the surface of the tile.

Cleaning Stone Tiles

Stone Tiles require regular cleaning with a PH neutral cleaner. Do not use bleach based or acid based products as these may damage the surface of the tile. Tiles with a rough or textured surface may benefit from the use of a doodlebug rather than a mop for a more effective clean.

Common Cleaning Mistakes

• Using the wrong cleaning products – too harsh a chemical or too abrasive a cleaner.

• Using too much product – dilute as per instructions, more is NOT better.

• Applying too much water to the surface / flooding the area.

• Not changing the water or cleaning solution often enough.

• Not finishing with a rinse to remove any cleaner / chemical residue.

• Leaving residual moisture on the floors – make sure to dry mop, wet vac or dry with an old towel or rag so that there is no residual moisture left on the floors (especially in the grout joints).

Sealing Stone Tiles

Act NOW to Protect Your Stone Tiles & Grout….

Sealing of Stone Tiles is usually necessary to protect them from premature decay and contamination, ie, oil, grease and dirt. Even old Stone Tiles and grout can be cleaned and resealed to give them back a new lease of life!

Sealing your Stone tiles and grout provides reaction time to deal with spills and so forth. An unsealed floor can stain immediately, whereas a sealed floor is stain resistant and can provide a reaction time of up to 4-5 hours.

At Total TileCare we strongly recommend that any newly laid Stone Tiles and grout be sealed immediately so that the area gains the full benefit of the protection.

1.         Prevent unsightly stains
2.         Prevent discolouration
3.         Keep your tiled floors looking better for longer

About Grout

Grout is a porous product and should always be sealed.
Once discoloured, regrouting is the best option for renewing grout between porous tiles.

How Total TileCare Can Help

Newly Laid Tiles
Professional Tile Cleaning – to remove grout residue or grout haze.
Professional Sealing – to protect the new Stone Tiles & grout.

Existing Tiles
Professional Tile Cleaning – to remove build-up of dirt and other contaminants.
Professional Sealing or Re-Sealing – to protect the Stone Tiles &/or grout.
Tile Regrouting – for cracked, deteriorated or discoloured grout.