CLEANERS
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MAINTENANCE
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WHEN TO USE
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SEALERS
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PRECAUTIONS
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FINISHES
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Click HERE for links to organizations with additional information and education.
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Click HERE for info about hiring professionals for your tile maintenance.
Click HERE to download and print a membership directory. The document is double-sided. To print, click on your printer properties and choose double-sided, flip-up. Then fold in half and it will be a booklet.
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CLEANERS
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Acidic PH1-6
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- Intentionally etching or extremely aggressive degenerative cleaning at the expense of the surface being cleaned.
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Neutral PH7
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- Specialty cleaners that allow the safest cleaning.
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Alkaline PH8-13
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- For heavy duty cleaning of greasy or neglected surfaces.
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WHEN TO USE
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Acidic Cleaners
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- They are generally a sulfamic or phosphoric base.
- They are used on grout, pavers, brick, and stone that is not a calcium carbonate base.
- They remove mineral deposits and dirt.
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Neutral Cleaners
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- These cleaners can be used for any surface for routine maintenance, and are good for everyday use.
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Alkaline Cleaners
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- These cleaners are used for cleaning greasy surfaces, and also as strippers for removing sealers, finishes, and waxes.
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PRECAUTIONS
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Acidic Cleaners
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- Never use MURIATIC acid. It is too strong and will damage.
- Always wet surface first.
- Always neutralize when done.
- They are not recommended for limestone, marble or sandstone surfaces. Acids etch the material they touch.
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Neutral Cleaners
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- Sometimes these cleaners are not strong enough for the job.
- See acidic or alkaline cleaners.
- Always refer to labels.
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Alkaline Cleaners
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- These products can be caustic.
- PH10 and higher can burn skin and eyes.
- These products are not for everyday use.
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MAINTENANCE
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Grout
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- Scrub clean on a routine basis. Seal upon initial installation. Reseal depending on traffic conditions and usage.
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Stone
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- Dust or damp mop on a regular basis. Seal upon initial installation. Reseal, buff, polish depending on type of material, traffic conditions and usage.
- Showers should be squeegeed on a daily basis.
- A topical finish can be used if so desired. It is recommended to check on the applicable maintenance necessary.
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Tile
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- Ceramic tile does not need sealing. The grout is what needs to be sealed. Unfinished (unglazed) tiles need to sealed upon initial installation. Apply finish to add protection and to increase sheen. Reseal and finish depending on traffic conditions and usage.
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SEALERS
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Stone
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- These sealers are water based or solvent based. Some are penetrating and others are topical
- Water based sealers range from medium duty to heavy duty.
- Solvents are generally heavy duty but carry an odor.
- Some solvents enhance color.
- Penetrating sealers soak into the surface while topical sealers form a film or coating on top.
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Grout
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- These sealers are similar to the stone sealers, carrying very similar descriptions.
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Unglazed Tile
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- These sealers are both penetrating and topical.
- Generally these sealers are covered with a type of finish (for interior use).
- Sealers for exterior use are recommended by many.
- Each manufacturer states specific instructions for usage.
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FINISHES
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Stone
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- Finishes for stone generally stay on top of the stone and will require routine maintenance. These are generally referred to as a "dressing" of some sort. It is also common to only seal a stone and maintain the surface of the stone without a top dressing. Always refer to labels and instructions when deciding on a system.
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Grout
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- Generally grout is not finished, only sealed. In an application with an unglazed tile, the grout will become finished as the unglazed tile is sealed and then finished.
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Unglazed Tile
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- Finishes are generally applied to these types of surfaces to protect the sealer and to increase the sheen. There are some "one-step" systems available to eliminate this second procedure. Always seek recommendations from professional people who understand your needs.
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HIRING PROFESSIONALS
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- Sealing and finishing can be a routine thing that a homeowner may be able to handle. It can also become an expensive "nightmare" if something goes wrong. There are many products available on the market to maintain and restore floors, and it can get very confusing. It is always recommended to protect your investment be sealing and refinishing your tile, stone or grouted surface.
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- This association has very qualified professionals to help you create, install, restore and maintain your hard surfaces.
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- Generally, the sealing and/or finishing of a new installation is the smallest portion of the expense but, if not addressed, it could become one of the largest.
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- Use the CTSAA Membership Directory and select some of our members to help you make your project a success.
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