Ceramic Tiles Cleaning

Ceramic tiles are becoming more and more popular in today’s home because of their visual appeal and easy upkeep. They can be placed on the floor, wall, or countertops and come in a variety of sizes and colors. They also come in two varieties, glazed and unglazed. Glazed tiles have a hard outer shell that helps to block against dirt and wear. Unglazed tiles lack this shell and may require much more cleaning and maintenance.

Ceramic tiles cleaning process can be fast and easy if the proper steps are taken and regular maintenance is performed.  It is best not to use harsh cleaning agents on this tile, as it can dull the shine and scratch the surface.  When possible, water and a soft sponge are all that should be used to remove dirt and stains. A 50/50 solution of white vinegar and warm water is also an effective method to clean while avoiding the use of chemicals. If cleaners are necessary, be sure to read the label carefully to ensure that the product is safe for ceramic tile and always dilute the product by at least half. Drying the tile with a soft rag or washcloth will remove excess dirt and prevent water stains.

Regular maintenance is a must for this type of tile, and will help to ensure the beauty and longevity of your floor, wall, or countertop. Floors should be vacuumed or swept daily and all spills should be wiped up right away. It is ideal to clean floors with warm water or a steam cleaner once a week. Grout used between the tiles should be sealed to prevent staining and damage.  Surfaces in the bathroom should be cleaned weekly with a vinegar solution, as they are exposed to body oil and soaps daily. This exposure causes buildup of soap scum, mildew, and lime deposits. Wiping the shower surface dry after each use can help to prevent this buildup. Countertops and backsplashes in areas such as the kitchen are prone to grease buildup and should be wiped clean with warm water daily. In the event of difficult to remove grease, a vinegar solution should be used and then the area should be scrubbed with baking soda.

Preventative maintenance is key in keeping your ceramic tiles in top shape. It will ensure the shine and durability of your floor, wall, or countertop and prevent any costly repairs. Daily, light-cleaning is all it takes to have beautiful tile and the best way to save time and effort.

Ceramic tile showers should be cleaned every six weeks, and this can be done through a simple once-over with vinegar and water.

Ceramic tile grout is the material that holds the tiles together, visible between the tiles.

Grout is obtained from a mixture of cement and fine sand, or comprised of acrylic materials such as silicon or others. It is indispensable for any type of ceramic tile, as it fills the space between the tiles and hods them together. Ceramic tile grout can also be water resistant, but most likely water or other liquids will eventually penetrate the joint and reach the backing.

Ceramic tile grout generally divided into three main types: Portland cement based grouts, epoxy based grouts and furan resin grouts. Each of these three categories are based on two basic types: sanded or non-sanded. Sanded grout is required for 1/8″ or larger grout joints, while non-sanded can be used for grout joints smaller than 1/8″. If you want the job to be well done and the final look to be great, choosing the right type of ceramic tile grout is just as important as selecting the tile itself. Also, for a successful installation, you should follow step by step all the instructions of the manufacturer in mixing and applying.

Cement based grouts

The sanded Portland ceramic tile grout is a mixture of cement, fine sand and water. The color of the grout is given by the cement color used, and generally it can only be mixed in white or gray. This sanded grout is made from fine graded sand, Portland cement, water-retentive additives and colored pigments. Sanded ceramic tile grout must be applied on moistened tile, however not damp and with no water puddled in the joint. However, for ceramic tiles non-sanded grout is recommended, to avoid scratching the finished surface.

The non-sanded Portland cement dry-set grout consists of Portland cement, fine fillers, a water-retentive additive and colored pigments. As the name implies, this type of ceramic tile grout is designed for use on dry surfaces. The water retentive additive allows the grout to stay moist until the cement cures properly, because without it the dry tile would wick out the water before the cement can cure. It is designed for easily scratched tiles, with joints from 1/32″ to 1/8″. If you use this type of ceramic tile grout in hot weather, keep the grout as cool as possible. Shade the work area and use cool water, so the grout won’t cure too rapidly.

Epoxy based grouts

This type of ceramic tile grout contains an additional ingredient of Portland cement, but its characteristics are quite similar to the standard Portland cement grouts. Still, the epoxy-based grouts are harder, form greater bonds and are more stain resistant. However, when it comes to resistance to chemicals they’re not necessarily better than standard ones.

Furan grouts

The name of this type of grout comes from an ingredient called furfuryl alcohol, added in the mixture instead of water. It is highly resistant to chemicals, especially acids. However, it’s the most difficult to install, as the tile must be coated with wax prior to grouting and the grout residue must be removed with steam cleaning afterwards. Furan grouts are manufactured in black color only, and are also available in sanded and non-sanded configuration.

The furan and the epoxy-based types of ceramic tile grout are more difficult to install, consequently also more expensive than standard Portland cement grouts. There is a wide variety of commercially prepared ceramic tile grout, available from numerous manufacturers. Remember that the right grout is as important as the tile itself, so it wouldn’t hurt to consult a professional before buying your cecramic tile grout.

Decorative ceramic tiles can give your home an even more stylish look than regular tile, and you can choose from a wide variety.

One of the great advantages of these hand made decorative ceramic tiles is that they’re suitable for any surface, either on the floor or walls of your hallway, bathroom, kitchen, office or any other place. Depending on your preferences, you can opt for customized hand made decorative ceramic tiles to match the environment, choosing from various types:

• -ceramic plant and floral tiles
• -decorative Celtic tiles
• -decorative mythological and nude tiles
• -animal and wildlife art tiles
• -corporate and commemorative tiles
• -custom carved decorative ceramic tiles and plaques

These are the most popular choices for decorative ceramic tiles, but if you have something else in mind you can find more types, or you can design them yourself and get them customized to meet your specific requirements. You can even have a mural painting made of decorative ceramic tiles, featuring the works of Monet, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Degas and so on.

Decorative ceramic tiles require a lot of talent and hard work, not to mention patience and thoroughness, considering that they are hand made. Each handmade relief starts with an original carving made in porcelain. Once the porcelain carving is complete, the artist makes a plaster mold from it, and then hand presses and pounds clay into the mold. The tiles are removed from the mold and dried slowly to prevent warping. After the tiles are dry, they are hand painted with underglazes and baked in a kiln at 2000 degrees. Through this procedure, the hand painted decorative ceramic tile becomes hard and the color gets permanently bonded to the clay. The underglaze of the whole tile is first washed and then wiped off, leaving color in the recesses of the carving, as well as in the previously hand painted and natural clay color on the raised parts.

The relief carved tile is covered with a clear glaze, and then baked again. This way, the decorative ceramic tiles acquire a glass like finish. For a translucent or metallic finish, tiles have it applied now and baked a third time, but this time at a much lower temperature.

Decorative ceramic tiles might be more expensive than regular tiles, but the effect stands no comparison. They make an exquisite ambiance, adding a stylish look wherever they are put. However, if you decide to opt for decorative ceramic tiles, it is recommended to buy a few extra tiles, just in case. If some tiles get damaged in time, replacing them later can be difficult if you don’t have any matching tiles.

Removing ceramic tile is usually a nightmare for most homeowners, as it is a thorough job and it takes quite a lot of time and precision.

However, whether it is a nighmare or not depends very much on the surface on which they are installed, as well as if you have to remove just some tiles, or all of them. Completely removing ceramic tile will be easier, because you won’t have to worry about damaging the rest of the tiles. Removing just some tiles will require much more care, as you have to be careful not to damage the other tiles around the ones being replaced.

Start by removing the old grout from around the damaged tile, using a chisel or an awl. Do this carefully, so as not to damage the surrounding tile. After removing the grout, chip out slowly the old tile, by breaking one small piece at a time with a hammer and chisel. It will take some time, but if you want to do the job right, you need to be thorough. Once the old grout and tile are removed, scrape them carefully off the floor, until the surface remains clean and smooth for the new tile to stay in place. Removing ceramic tile must be done carefully, don’t try to remove more tiles at once. Each of the tiles must be removed from the floor (or wall) one by one. Be very careful not to damage the surface beneath, as it will provide a base for the replacing tiles.

If the tile is set in adhesive or well adhered to the mortar, removing ceramic tile will be quite a challenge. Still, it’s not impossible. For a faster and easier job, you can use a carbide drill bit, with a 1/4″ to 1/2″ diameter. Drill some holes in the tile, so as to make them easier to break apart. After drilling the holes in the tile, use a chisel or a screwdriver to pry out the rest of the tile.

Also, removing ceramic tile might be easier if you start at the doorway and work your way across the room to the opposite side. This will allow a convenient progression, and many of the tiles will be slightly loosened when you remove the tiles around them. Basically, the hardest part of removing ceramic tile is actually prying the tiles from the base and adhesive.

Once you have removed all tiles that needed replacing, all you have left to do is to clean up the area. Sweep the entire room to remove all the tiles and tile chips, as well as all the dust created in the process. To remove the last traces of dust, use a mop or a damp cloth and wipe the newly exposed surfaces.

For a large area, removing ceramic tile shouldn’t take more than three days of working at a moderate pace. And to be honest, the whole process of removing ceramic tile is more annoying than difficult, because you have to be so thorough and careful. Still, when you think of all the money you’d pay a professional to do the job, three days of reoving ceramic tile on your own might just be a very small price to pay.

Ceramic tile repair requires patience and some skills, but you can do it yourself instead of paying a fortune to get a few tiles replaced by a professional. So if you have to repair a crack, replace a few tiles or even all of them, you can do it yourself by following a few simple steps.

First of all, to do your own ceramic tile repair make sure you have all the items you will need. You don’t want to start working and then realize that you don’t have one thing or another. So before you start working, cross these of your list:

• -matching grout
• -grout sealer
• -matching tiles (buy a few extra, just in case)
• -work gloves
• -adhesives
• -large sponge
• -awl and chisels
• -notched trowel or putty knife
• -nails or screws
• -hammer
• -safety glasses

For the new tile and grout you will need to go to your local flooring supply center. Take a loose tile with you, or at least part of it, from the ones that need to be repaired or replaced, so the new tile you buy will match. Buy a few tiles to spare; if you’ll need to do some more ceramic tile repair in the future, it will be useful to have the matching tile already.

Once you have all materials, you can start the actual ceramic tile repair. Start by removing the old grout from around the damaged tile, using a chisel or an awl. Do this carefully, so as not to damage the surrounding tile. After removing the grout, chip out slowly the old tile, by breaking one small piece at a time with a hammer and chisel. It will take some time, but if you want to do the job right, you need to be thorough. Once the old grout and tile are removed, scrape them carefully off the floor, until the surface remains clean and smooth for the new tile to stay in place.

To continue with your ceramic tile repair, take a notched trowel or putty knife and carefully spread adhesive on the back of the new tile, then firmly press the tile into place. Let the adhesive dry before you continue (check the label to see how long it takes to dry). After the adhesive is dry, you can start putting the grout around the new tile. With a large sponge, remove the excess grout and smooth the joints. Let the grout set for 15 minutes, then again wipe off excess grout if necessary. The tile needs at least 24 hours to dry, after which you can coat the grout with clear waterproof grout sealer. This will help against staining, mildew and rot.

If you follow these simple steps, your ceramic tile repair should make your floors look as good as new in no time. You’ll save the money by not hiring somebody to do your ceramic tile repair for you, and besides, you’ll be ore proud of your new floors if you do the job yourself. Just remember to wear safety glasses and gloves. And one more tip, before you put the tiles make sure that the floor beneath is structurally sound. Any squeaks or loose flooring can be fixed with additional nails or screws through the sheeting into the floor joists below. Ceramic tile repair might need thorough work, but it will definitely be worth it once you’re done.

Cleaning ceramic tile is quite easy, if you know what you’re doing. Ceramic tiles have become a very popular choice especially for bathrooms and kitchens, but not only. You can put ceramic tiles in your hallway, main entrance, or wherever you like. It looks great, gives your whole house a stylish appearance and makes your job a whole lot easier when it comes to cleaning and maintaining it.

There are two types of ceramic tile: glazed or unglazed. Glazed ceramic tile is more easy to sweep or mop, while the unglazed type will require more cleaning maintenance because they tend to collect more dirt, as they are not coated with an outer shell. So as to avoid dirt, mold or mildew from building up, cleaning ceramic tile should be done on a regular basis. Sweep the floors frequently, and if you use a vacuum cleaner, make sure to use it without a beater bar, so the tiles don’t get dulled or scratched.

Cleaning ceramic tile should be done routinely, using a plain water solution, and then drying them with a clean cloth or mop. Careful though, don’t use any steel wool, scouring powders or any other abrasives that can scratch the finish of the tiles. Also, avoid using bleach or ammonia based cleaners, because in time they can discolor the grout. Cleaning ceramic tile must be done with a mild detergent, and then rinsed thoroughly with warm water to remove any leftover residue. If there’s heavier dirt on the tiles, you can use special cleaning products for removing soap scum, hard water deposits or mildew stains. Cleaning ceramic tile with a texture might require mild scrubbing either with a mild brush, or with an electric polisher/scrubber. If your tile is glazed, don’t clean it with oil-based cleaners.

When cleaning ceramic tile, you also have to play attention to the grout. While the tile itself might be very easy to clean, grout tends to accumulate mold, mildew and stains, especially if you have hard water build-up or calcium deposits. Make a solution of 1/4 cup of mild detergent combined with a gallon of water and clean the areas affected by dirt with a sponge. Although most tiles are glazed and stain-resistant, the grouts are porous and gather dirt, so try to clean spills as quickly as possible, so the stain doesn’t get impregnated into the grout. Use only cleaning products that specify on their label that they are safe for tile surfaces.

All in all, tiles look great and are perfect for a stylish appearance, that doesn’t require hard work maintenance. Cleaning ceramic tile is actually quite easily done, if you follow these tips and are careful regarding the products you use. So remember: warm water, mild detergent, rinsing, not scouring powders, no steel wool or abrasives, no bleach or ammonia based cleaners. Respect these rules and cleaning ceramic tile will be piece of cake, and your tiles will look brand new for years.