Benefits of Tile & Stone Maintenance
FAQs - What kind of sealer and when?
FLOORS - MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
SERVICE CLEANING & SEALING - Always start with a Service Level of cleaning. This means a deep cleaning that pulls out deposits and discoloration of stone, tile and grout - properly preparing the surface for sealing. It takes several steps of scrubbing and agitation and pressure extraction and drying to get the floors ready for sealing. This should be performed every 2-5 years. The determining factor for frequency is a bead test. Check your sealer condition on the grout lines or natural stone with a bead test in multiple areas, which shows if your sealer has deteriorated or if it is still protecting the floors. If water does not clearly bead, get a service performed by a professional.
LIGHT MAINTENANCE CLEANING - May be performed every 6-12 months and may only require traffic area light scrub and a pressure extraction. The sealer should still be intact. This level of service is for floors which have only a surface level of deposits and are on a maintenance program. The light maintenance cleanings will delay the need for service level cleanings.
SHOWERS - MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
- SERVICE LEVEL CLEANING & SEALING - Start with this level of service and then begin a maintenance program. The soap scum and deposits will be removed and surfaces deep cleaned. The grout integrity may be reviewed and skim coated. The grout may be treated for discoloration. The shower may be polished or rehoned (if natural stone). The shower walls and floors will be properly dried and resealed with a breatheable penetrating sealer. This service should be performed approximately every two - four years, depending on daily cleaning practices, maintenance, and shower and sealer condition. We recommend stain-proofing (permanent bonding 10 year sealer) tiled shower floors.
- LIGHT CLEANING - This maintenance level of service may or may not include the walls but always includes the floor. It will involve a cleaning and touch up sealing of the shower floor, and may include deposit removal on the walls. We recommend this step to be performed annually as it will delay the need for costlier service level cleanings.
COUNTERS - MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
- Cleaning, polishing and resealing of countertops may be performed every 3-5 years.
- Annual maintenance on kitchen granite may include removal of the buildup around the faucets and a touch up sealer around the sink areas and/or the range.
