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How to: Clean | Seal | Restore
Kiln Fired Glazed Tile
Sealing - Cleaning - Problem Solving - Protection - Care
Glazed Tile refers to any tile that has a "FIRED" glaze on its face. This usually looks like an enamel painted on a white or tan tile body, then baked at high temperature. For metallic glazes, see below. |
An increasingly popular type of glazed tile looks like slate or stone. These have different installation and maintenance requirements. To visit the page specifically for "Stone Look" glazed tiles click here.
There is no need for confusion or problems brought about by misidentification of a surface type, yet it happens all too often. If you would like to see why this is the case and how to properly identify a surfacing material .....
Click here
If you are concerned about doing it yourself - consider that the satisfaction of a project is directly related to your knowledge of what needs to be done and how. Who actually does the work is less important. We estimate that 25% of the usage of Aldon products is by "do it yourself" homeowners and we know they are happy because we hear from them.
| MATERIAL DESCRIPTION - With Identifying Characteristics
- Colors, textures, designs available are an enormous selection.
- Metallic glazes look like iron, copper, brass, etc. True metal tiles are on another page.
- Some glazes are actually a little absorbent and will therefore stain. These can be sealed.
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ADVANTAGES TO THIS MATERIAL
- Usually a glazed tile does not need to be sealed, only the grout. There are a few exceptions to this.
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CONSIDERATIONS (All Are Preventable!)
(Click links for Aldon's solutions to these issues!)
- Usually no protection of the face is needed during installation. The grout residue cleans up completely with water and a sponge. It is standard practice in the industry to clean off any remaining hazy residue by one of the following methods:
- Buffing with cloth
- Cleaning with vinegar. This is a very weak acid and works fine, except for its tendency to leave an opalescent film.
- Using Aldon Grout Residue Remover
If there is concern for grout residue problems due to tile texture (or finish as with matte type glazes), then keep grout residue out of any surface texture characteristics by coating with Aldon Grout Easy before grouting. "Grout Easy" is a water soluble coating that comes off easily while grout is being cleaned up with water and a sponge.
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Efflorescence (subsurface originating white powdery stains) can occur in the grout. However, it is
easily cleaned.
- Grout colors can "fade". The appearance of fading is actually from light efflorescence and
can be stopped by sealing with the appropriate Aldon sealer.
- Some glazes could scratch during installation, however, one of the "solvent-penetrating" sealers tends to make the scratches disappear on some finishes. Test a sample first.
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Following are recommendations for products you may need (in sequence of use ) for whichever of the categories applies to you. Please review each and mark your printed
worksheet accordingly.
Layed, But Not Grouted
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 Grout Easy
(may not be needed) -
 Efflorescence Treatment
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 Grout Residue
Remover
(should not be needed after using Grout Easy)
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Grouted, But Not Sealed
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Grout Residue
Remover
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Efflorescence Treatment
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.............Sealer ( see below )
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 Lifeguard
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Care ...........
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Sealer Has Been Applied
Important! - First -
Click here!
 Premium Stripper- ...........Cleaners ?
- ...........Sealer ( see below )
- Lifeguard
- Care ..........
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Regarding sealing:
Generally, glazed tile do not need to be sealed. Only the grout needs to be sealed. However, the exceptions would be those glazes that have a slight degree of absorption (they will stain), or those occasions where some tile in the batch are less glossy than others. See below.
An Aldon sealer does far more than just bead water and look pretty! To see what that is
click here.
(Important: If your project has had any sealer applied in the past, it must be evaluated differently. To see why,
Click here!)
"Same Day Sealer"
Water Based - Penetrating Type
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"S-B-S Sealer"
Solvent Based - Penetrating Type
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For glossy finish glazes:
Only Aldon Maintain is needed for periodic wet mop, no rinse - no streak cleaning.
Dark colored, glossy finish glazed tile will show dust to a high degree. Dust Whiz makes it far easier to care for all flooring, but these floors in particular.
For matte finish glazes:
Many matte finish glazes will show pet prints and be somewhat difficult to keep clean because of a tendency to trap dirt and oils in the matte finish. For these types of tile, seal the grout per above . Then, the entire floor can be coated with Tile Cover . This will create a thin, typically invisible, layer that repels dirt and oils, and greatly improves floor cleaning.
For Metallic glazed tile:
These are a clay tile with a glaze that has a very distinct metallic look. Typically, these tile will stain, and if used in a situation like this backsplash, need to be sealed with an aerosol spray can of Aldon S-B-S Sealer .
The small "spotter" tile (2 are showing here) are a true metal tile with copper insert. They do not need to be sealed, but are fine, and even improved, by spraying them with sealer at the same time. |
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* Note: will add another level of gloss to any non-absorbent surfaces.
It also prevents traffic wear to a sealers finish.
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