If you are a homeowner, you would know about the woes of tiles. Whether it is kitchen, bathrooms, or gallery, the tiles are usually the preferred flooring. With the manufacturing of porcelain/ceramic tiles along with the availability of natural stones, there are various designs, colors, and sizes in tiles. Even though tiles make up tough flooring material, they require proper care and frequent cleaning, otherwise, your floor will look like a puzzle made up of stains, loose grout, broken tiles, and marks of food and liquid. If the tiles are porous, there are more chances of having stains and wear and tear marks. A solution to this is to have a tile sealant. If you ever need, you will find several professionals for sealing tile in Dublin, offering the services of tile sealing. But, before you call the services, here is everything you should know about Tile Sealing. Types of Sealants Two types of sealants are available in the market, and you can purchase any of these based on the requirements of your tile. Penetrating Sealants: The penetrating sealants render protection to the tile through absorption. The sealants are spread on the tile, and these are absorbed by the porous surface, forming a protection layer on the upper surface. The color and appearance of the tile may not change at all. Surface Sealants: The surface sealants are applied on the top surface and make a protective layer on the top to resist stains and wear marks. As the surface sealants are coated on the top, these slightly alter the color and texture of the tile. If you want a glossy look for your matt tile, a surface sealant can do the trick. Do the tiles need sealants? The next question before you go out looking for a reliable sealing tile Dublin services is whether you need a sealant or not. Not all tiles need sealant, and the most of ceramic and porcelain tiles are manufactured with a sealant layer. The glazing layer on the tile is basically a protective layer in itself, but it may need slight sealing to fill the micro pores on the surface. The unglazed tiles have a rough and porous surface which needs to be sealed. The water and oil spills on the unglazed tiles can leave stains, and the sealant protects them. When to use sealant? If you are using unglazed tiles on the floor or any wall, it is recommended to seal the tile before fixing it. The reason is that the grout will leave marks on the unglazed surface of the tile when the tiles are fixed or applied. Sealing before use will ensure that the grout marks can be easily cleaned. Furthermore, the tiles in heavy pedestrian traffic areas require maintenance and regular inspection. If the tiles are in a lobby or a high traffic area, it is advised to seal the tiles at least once a year for durability. A simple test to check sealant’s condition is to spread few drops of water on tile’s surface. If the water drops are absorbed quickly i.e. in a minute, the tile needs to be resealed. Should you seal the grout? So, you have already got your tiles sealed, but what about the grout. Different builders have different opinions about it. The porous material of grout can absorb water and other spills and is easily stained. But, some grout materials need to breathe for long lasting performance and strength. It is better to read the manufacturer’s recommendation before sealing the grout to make sure you are not causing any damage to it. With this information, you are ready to take up tile cleaning and sealing challenges.
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