Fortunately, because glazed ceramic tile is
mostly non-porous, it can be very easy to maintain.
Simply clean the area with a damp mop when
needed and almost any household cleaner. The only thing to take into consideration
is whether or not the grout is sealed.
If the grout is not sealed, it is vulnerable
to absorb liquid and possibly stain. Some unglazed tiles are also porous and
vulnerable to staining. Please be sure to check with your sales consultant
to review the proper cleaning methods for your new floor.
Ceramic is very durable and if you have installed
a tile with a PEI rating of at least III or IV, scratching should not be a concern.
However, no matter how strong a tile, it is not impervious to cracking if something
heavy is dropped on it. The following steps will show you how to correct the
problem.
Replacing Broken Tile
- If a single tile has been cracked or chipped, you
can usually repair it without replacing the underlayment.
- To replace one tile, first dig out the grout around
it. This should be done with a grout saw; a utility knife
works well too. For a group of tiles, dig out around the section of tiles
you’re replacing.
- Shatter the broken tile into small pieces by hitting
it with a hammer and nail set or a chisel. Be sure to wear safety glasses
because stray pieces may fly into the air, potentially causing injury.
- Pry out the pieces carefully and scrape off the
grout and adhesive with a chisel or putty knife. If drywall is under your
tile, be careful not to dig into it. Clean out all of the debris and get the
surface as clean as possible.
- If you’re replacing a group of tiles, you should
try to set them with the same type of adhesive as the original tiles. For
one tile you can just use a silicone adhesive. The trick is to put the right
amount of adhesive on so the tile will sit level with the rest.
- Find a grout to match that of the existing grout
color. If you’re only grouting a small area, you can pick up a little container
of pre-mixed grout. Work the grout into the joints with a grout float;
in a small area you can just use your finger.
- Wipe off the excess grout and use a sponge to shape
the joints and remove the grout left on the tile. This is a good time to regrout
your entire tile, especially if you are working on a shower or other high-moisture
area. This will also make your repair job less noticeable.
* All of these products are available from
any of our showrooms. Please check with
your sales consultant for details.
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