Do Tile Floors Need To Be Sealed?

By Author: ServiceMaster Upstate
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Ceramic or porcelain tiles can acquire scratches, signs of wear, and grout discoloration from constant traffic. It is recommended to remove dust and debris regularly by sweeping, dusting, or vacuuming in order to prevent dirt build-up.

ServiceMaster of the Upstate, a tile and grout cleaning company Greenville SC, also does residential tile and grout cleaning in Greenville SC. Our Greenville SC tile and grout cleaning technicians clean deeply into the surface to remove the most stubborn grime and contaminants, while our hot water process extracts it all out of your home.

Do tile floors need to be sealed?

It is really important to understand whether the tile you have bought needs to be treated with a sealer to block the small particles in the surface of the tile. Failure to treat a porous tile will result in dirt and oils penetrating the tile surface, leaving nasty stains that cannot be removed.

Ceramic Tiles
These types of tiles have a glass glaze on the top of the clay back, which provides a non-porous surface as the glass will not let anything penetrate it, unless it is unglazed. There is ...
... no need to seal this tile.

Porcelain tiles
A porcelain tile has been fired at a higher temperature than ceramics and this is called the vitrified process; this means these tiles are non-absorbent on the front, back, or sides of the tile. This is fine on most porcelain tiles, but some porcelains have been mechanically polished to give a deep high shine, and this leaves the surface of the porcelain tile to have tiny pores which dirt will penetrate. A sealer would need to be applied if it has a glossy look.

Natural Stone Tiles
Most natural stone tiles are porous and are made from natural rock. When grout is applied to the surface of the tile to fill the joints, it also penetrates the surface like polished porcelain above; this will also leave nasty marks on the stone that cannot be removed.

How to tell if a tile needs a sealant

The best way to check whether a tile is porous and will stain is to use a dry wipe whiteboard marker to test them. In a small area of one tile in the closet, apply the ink marker to a corner and leave for a few minutes; once done, wipe off the ink. If there is a stain where the ink has penetrated the tile then the tiles will need sealing, but if all the ink wipes off with no marks left then there is no need to seal.

The tile shops sell a range of sealers applicable to the type of tile you have bought. Simply follow the instructions on the can, leave to dry, and grout as usual.

Most ceramic and porcelain tile surfaces need not be sealed, although the tiny pores on the surface of the tile might need a little light sealing to fill them in. The grout, however, is typically porous and is made from a cement-based material in general, thereby needing a seal and proper maintenance to prevent discoloration and stains.

ServiceMaster of the Upstate's tile and grout cleaning service in Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, and Saluda will keep your tiles and grout beautifully clean for you, and for a long time. We do tile and grout cleaning not just in your homes but also to commercial areas, public places such as churches, hotels, schools, and municipalities in South Carolina.

Do not hesitate to call us if you need assistance. If you are in need of immediate services due to any dirt your tile and grout might have, please call our emergency line at (864) 310-7891, and we will be available to you as soon as possible. We are dedicated to our customers and our community, and we will do everything in our power to restore your home to pre-damage condition.