Choosing The Right Tile Sealant Will Ensure Better Maintenance Of Your Natural Stone Floors

Tiles are normally used in surfaces that are naturally wet or in locations that need constant cleaning. Such areas can become places where mold and mildew breed thus causing unhygienic conditions. Even in a bathroom there are a number of areas that remain unused, but because of the wet environment even these areas become conducive to growth of mold and mildew. Tile sealants and stone sealants can help to alleviate the problems caused by sealing the tiles and any gaps so that water never reaches the joints and also ensures that the surface of the tiles are so smooth that they will help to drain away the water from unused areas.

Tile sealants are available to seal the grout joints between tiles as also for application to the tiles themselves. Sealing of joints is a must as this is the place that remains porous and the sealers used for this must be able to penetrate the grout and effectively seal it. It is also quite common for grout sealers to be of the membrane forming type. In this case the sealant forms an impervious membrane over the grout. Such sealants however are liable to damage from traffic or from sharp objects and once this membrane is pierced, it is rendered ineffective.

Glazed tiles are resistant to water and may not normally require sealants for the tiles themselves, though the joints are vulnerable and would benefit from sealing. Glazed tiles can be checked on their need for sealant by pouring water on the tiled surface. If the surface does darken and change color, obviously the water has seeped through and the tile surface could do with a good tile sealant. Sealants should be applied only after ensuring that the surface is clean and completely dried up. Vertical surfaces should be treated first and one must ensure that no sealant trickles down. Horizontal surfaces should be sealed from the inside out.

Be sure to follow the instructions from the manufacturer

Every tile sealant comes with its own set of instructions from the manufacturer and one must also make sure that the tile sealant is the right one for the tiles on which they are being applied. Drying time must be allowed, and one can even put on a layer of acrylic floor finish which can act to protect the sealed surface. Tile sealants may need renewal after some period of time. Sealants are best applied only after the tiled floor has been in place for a fortnight or so. Sealants are best allowed to dry for at least three days before the area is allowed for use.

Remove all chances of mould and mildew

All floors will benefit from being cleaned at regular intervals. While regular sweeping and mopping is very effective, cleaning with chemical or other products can help to cut out any unhealthy mildew or mould. The use of such products for cleaning can damage the tile sealants. Tile sealants may then require to be renewed and it is a good practice to completely remove the previous sealant and put on a fresh coat of sealant every five years or so. China Adhesive Manufacturers