How To Clean Cement Tiles On Shower Walls

Encaustic cement tiles are handmade, decorative, colorful tiles used primarily every bit flooring coverings. Floors or walls covered with these tiles are noted for their multi-colour patterns, durability and sophisticated look. Cement tiles are non fired and derive their immovability from the combination of finely dehydrated ground Portland cement layer and a more fibroid layer of sand and Portland cement. The pigment layer is hydraulically pressed into the surface and becomes a function of the tile, not a glaze or paint layer on the surface of the tile. Sealing encaustic tiles is recommended for stain resistance and maintenance purposes.

Pre Sealing Encaustic Tiles

Pre sealing encaustic tiles is generally not required, however it is e'er all-time to consult with your tile supplier to verify whether your tiles require this handling. If required, sealing encaustic tiles on all 6 sides using Aqua Mix® ProBlock a minimum of 24 hours prior to installation.

Aqua Mix® ProBlock is a water based penetrating sealer designed to resist staining caused by water soluble minerals (including picture framing effect) which are normally absorbed through the back of the tile during installation. It besides helps resist efflorescence migration.

If applying an Enhancing Sealer as the last surface seal, Do NOT apply whatever ProBlock to the summit surface as it will finish the penetration of enhancing sealers. Delight contact Aqua Mix® prior to installation if an enhancer is specified for use.

Pre-Grout Sealing Encaustic Tiles

If the tile does non crave to be pre-sealed, information technology is highly recommended to apply a coat of the final sealer on the surface prior to grouting. This is to act as a grout release and aid in the grout clean-up process. This is very important every bit acidic cleaners cannot be used to removed cured grout residue.

IMPORTANT: It is not recommended to utilise pigmented coloured grouts on cement tiles, as they can get embedded into the surface of the tile. This can be very difficult to rectify as acidic cleaners cannot be used.

If a pigmented coloured grout is desired, we recommend that you apply a coat of Aqua Mix® Grout Release to the surface prior to grouting.

Grout Haze Removal

It is important that all of the grout brume is removed betwixt iii-10 days. A minimum of iii days for the the grout to cure and harden, and no longer than x days or it may demand to be mechanically removed.

Grout brume tin be removed using Aqua Mix® NanoScrub®, if Aqua Mix® Grout Release was used, the grout and Grout Release tin can exist removed using Aqua Mix® Heavy-Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner. If epoxy grout has been used you can remove using Aqua Mix® Sealer & Coating Remover. Acidic cleaners should NEVER be used to remove grout brume from Encaustic Cement Tiles.

Sealing Encaustic Tiles

In most cases yous should just be sealing these tiles using either a Natural Wait Sealer or an Enhancing Sealer. The best sealer for encaustic tiles is Aqua Mix® Sealer'due south Choice® Gold – Rapid Cure, still we accept a range of sealers to adapt your requirements:

Sealing Encaustic Tiles with a Natural Wait Penetrating Sealer:

Good: Aqua Mix® Penetrating Sealer
Improve: Aqua Mix® Pro-Solv®
Best: Aqua Mix® Sealer's Choice® Gold – Rapid Cure or Aqua Mix® Ultra-Solv®

Sealing Encaustic Tiles with an Enhanced Look Penetrating Sealer:

Proficient: Aqua Mix® Rock Enhancer
Best: Aqua Mix® Enrich'North'Seal™

Annotation: Sealing encaustic tiles with a penetrating sealer will not modify the slip resistance. For more information regarding slip resistance, click here

If the surface is an internal textured floor yous also may use a Topical / Coating Sealer. Nevertheless we practise not recommend Topical / Blanket Sealer to be used in wet areas. Applying a Topical / Blanket Sealer can be difficult on these tiles as they are more often than not very smooth. It is recommended that a experienced professional is employed to utilize a Topical / Coating Sealer to these tiles.

Maintaining Encaustic Tiles

Countertops and Walls

Countertops/Bench-tops, vanities and walls should be regularly cleaned using any of Aqua Mix® Routine Cleaners.

Regular use of Aqua Mix® Aqua Shield™ Cleaner & Resealer will ensure that your encaustic tiles always maintains maximum stain resistance.

Floors

Floors should be regularly cleaned using Aqua Mix® Concentrated Stone & Tile Cleaner. If the surface is immune to build up, then scrub the surface using Aqua Mix® Stone Deep Clean, Aqua Mix® Heavy-Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner or Aqua Mix® NanoScrub® and an Aqua MIx® AquaScrub.

Stain Removal

If you have a stain that you wish to remove, Aqua Mix® Poultice Stain Remover should be used. This product is a blend of absorbent clays that tin be mixed with water or an advisable chemic to extract the stain from within the stone.