CERAMIC TILE

Ceramic tile is an extremely popular choice for the floors in our homes today. Whether remodeling or for new construction, hard surface flooring is almost universally chosen for the first floor while wall-to-wall carpet, if used at all, is typically reserved for the upper floors such as the bedrooms.

In this article, we go over some important guidelines about the types and sizes of ceramic tile, installation concerns, durability, and, of course, cleaning and maintenance.

TYPES OF CERAMIC TILE

Glazed Ceramic Tile

The glass coating fired onto the surface of some ceramic tiles is referred to as the glaze. This protective layer makes the tile water and stain-proof.

Note: We are talking about floor, not wall tiles. Wall tiles are not as durable and are thinner than the floor tiles. They are not meant to be used under constant foot traffic.

Unglazed Ceramic Tile

This type of tile is for those people who prefer a more natural look. Unglazed tile floors will need to be periodically sealed to protect them from stains.

Terra Cotta

Terra Cotta is red clay bisque fired at a relatively low temperature. It exhibits a very natural appearance but the tile itself is fragile.

Porcelain

Porcelain is made of clay which is baked at very high temperatures resulting in an extremely strong and durable product. When compared to other tiles, it is harder to cut and shape.

One advantage of Porcelain tile is it has an absorption rate of less than .5% and thus can be installed in some exterior locations where frost and freezing would normally be a problem.

INSTALLATION of CERAMIC TILE

Installing tile flooring is not meant for the do-it-yourself homeowner! We would highly recommend hiring an experienced professional installer for this type of time-consuming and difficult job.

As might be expected, the first and most important step in the installation is the type and condition of the sub floor it is being installed on. It is extremely important that it be completely flat, smooth, and free of any defects to avoid the occurrence of any pockets of air forming under the tiles. These will make the tiles crack and chip over time. The sub floor must also be impervious to changes in size due to changes in temperature as well.

Concrete is one of the most common sub surfaces for installations. Be aware, there is a wait time of at least 28 days after fresh concrete is poured for moisture to completely dry out of the concrete mix before the tile floor can be properly installed.

SIZES of CERAMIC TILE

The most common cut tile sizes are squares of 6”x 6”, 12”x 12”, and 16”x 16”. That said, ceramic tile can actually be cut into nearly any size or shape. It is always recommended to use sizes that are evenly divisible in order to cut down on waste.

HARDNESS of CERAMIC TILE

The Portland Enamel Institute judges the hardness of tile on a 1 (weakest) to 5 (strongest) scale. For use in flooring applications, a hardness rating of 3 or greater is required. Less than 3 on the scale can be used only in wall applications.

DURABILITY of CERAMIC TILE

Ceramic tile has a lifespan of decades as long as it is properly installed and cared for. After its useful life has ended, it may be necessary to remove it. Depending on the new flooring surface chosen, it may be possible to install the new flooring directly over the old tile floor.

CLEANING of CERAMIC TILE

On a regular basis, ceramic tile floors can be kept reasonably clean and sanitary with regular sweeping to remove surface debris followed by mopping with warm water. Make sure to change the dirty water in the mop bucket several times depending on the size of the tiled area. 

Vacuuming is okay as long as a soft hose attachment is used in order to prevent scratches.

A detergent can be used, but it must be pH balanced so it doesn’t strip any glaze. If there are stains that have set, a water and vinegar mix can be used.

A regularly scheduled professional tile and grout cleaning can help prevent minor problems from becoming major in the future.

Please continue reading here to learn more about ceramic tile including maintenance, best applications, and how ABC can help.

GROUT

Grout? What is it really? It is the material that is applied to the spaces between tiles after the tile adhesive has fully cured during a tile installation. 

The most common type of grout used to fill in the spaces between ceramic and other tile during installation is composed of graded aggregate, Portland cement, water dispersing agents, plasticizers, and color fast pigments. In more simple terms, it is the combination of cement, water, and colorant and is sometimes called cement-based or cementitious grout.

Cementitious grout comes in both premixed and powered forms. Powdered grout has to be mixed with water before use, while premixed grout comes in tubs and is convenient for small jobs.

Older cement-based grout was brittle and prone to cracking. It also dried irregularly, leaving colors inconsistent. Today's grouts contain polymer additives, which ensure color quality and increased flexibility, allowing for joint (space) widths of up to 1 and 1/4 inches.

WHY DO WE NEED TO USE GROUT?

Hard tile for flooring, as well as the tile in wall and countertop installation, is placed into an adhesive backing such as mortar or mastic with gaps between each tile. This is to prevent the cracking that could occur if and when the materials expand or contract against one another during temperature shifts.

These gaps could allow moisture and germs to penetrate down into the mortar and down to the sub material. Grout is used to seal the gaps between the tiles because it allows for the expansion and contraction of floor tile over time and prevents moisture and germ penetration.

Grout creates a floor, wall or countertop which is stronger, prevents the edges of the tiles from chipping and cracking, keeps out water, and gives the entire area a finished look with tiles that are perfectly aligned.

In certain situations, such as in a shower floor construction where 1”x 1” or

2”x 2” mosaic tiles are used, the grout every inch or two provides a good amount of slip resistance as well.

BASIC TYPES of COMMON GROUT

There are 3 Basic Types of Common Grout:

• Cement Based Unsanded. Grout without sand is used when the space between tiles or stones are 1/8” wide or less.

• Cement Based Sanded. Grout with sand is used when the space between tiles or stones is greater than 1/8” wide. The sand helps bulk up the grout and keeps it from shrinking in the joints. Sanded grout can be a little more difficult to work with than non-sanded, but it is used because it is stronger and helps prevent cracking in wide joints.

• Epoxy. This type of grout contains neither cement nor water and is instead a combination of epoxy resin, silica fillers, pigments, and a hardener. It is much less porous than the cement type grouts and is used in more complicated installations or in areas where acids and greases occur (such as in a kitchen) where maximum stain resistance is needed.

Epoxy grouts also come in both sanded and unsanded forms, but the type of sand is different from that found in cementitious grouts.

When using epoxy grout with porous and unglazed tiles such as limestone or quarry, the tiles should be sealed before grouting since the epoxy grout can badly stain tile surfaces such as these.

Epoxy grouts do not need to be sealed. If they do get stains, they can be scrubbed with a mixture of bleach and water or vinegar and water to clean.

OTHER NOT SO COMMON TYPES of GROUT

There are other Hybrid Types of Grout available which include:

• Latex Modified Grout. This is sanded grout formulated with a latex polymer additive which enhances water proofing and increases strength.

• Modified Epoxy Grout. This is epoxy grout enhanced with Portland cement. It does require regular sealing but is harder, stronger, and more stain-resistant than the cement grouts.

• Furan Resin Grout. Similar to epoxy grout but made of polymers of fortified alcohols that are highly chemically resistant. No water is used. It has excellent chemical, physical, and heat resistance. Furan resin grout is commonly used to grout brick pavers and quarry tile, especially in areas exposed to chemicals and grease. Because of the difficulty of installation and the special skills needed, this type of grout is usually used for industrial projects such as laboratories and meat-packing plants, etc.

Please continue reding here for more information about grout including use of colored grout, how grout is applied during installation, why grout should be sealed, types of grout sealers, and how ABC can help.

GROUT SEALING

DOES YOUR GROUT NEED SEALING or RE-SEALING?

Have you scheduled a tile and grout cleaning job or done it yourself and wondered if you need grout sealing as well?

It is relatively simple to find the answer to your question. Simply sprinkle a few drops of water at several places around your tile. If areas of your grout soak in the water immediately, your grout should be sealed or re-sealed.

WHAT IS GROUT?

Grout is used to fill the seams between tiles. Most grout is called 'sanded grout' because the grout contains sand, which is a good and inexpensive material to use. Unfortunately, though, sand is porous and therefore grout is porous. It is this porosity that makes it necessary to seal the grout after the majority of tile applications, as well as re-seal the grout when needed.

After grout has been applied and has dried, but has not yet been sealed, it will absorb water and any other liquid, as well as dirt, mildew, and other contaminants through its microscopic pores that act like a sponge. Obviously, this is not a good situation for a shower wall or bathroom floor but can be a problem in any area where tile has been laid and grout has not been sealed or the seal has worn off.

Please note: There is a type of grout which is epoxy-based called epoxy grout or pre-sealed grout (see above article). This type of grout does not need sealing because it actually sheds water. It is relatively expensive and difficult to mix so is not used as much as sanded grout.

WHY WASN'T MY GROUT SEALED BY MY CONTRACTOR? 

The usual answer to this is--If a sanded grout was used and it was not sealed, it may be the fault of the contractor. To seal the grout in a new installation means returning at another time because the grout must be completely dried after installation. This can take as much as 30 days. Many contractors do not want to or may not have room in their schedule to return to the site to do this.

WHY DOES MY INSTALLED GROUT NEED SEALING IF IT WAS ORIGINALLY SEALED BY A CONTRACTOR?

Existing tile may need to have the grout sealer reapplied. Bathroom wall tile and tile kitchen counter tops especially, may need to have the grout sealed more frequently. Since grout is porous, spills may seep in if not cleaned up immediately. Colors from liquids such as fruit juice or tea and coffee may remain after the liquid evaporates, staining the grout. Oils can also seep into the grout. To remove these stains, the old grout may need to be chipped out and replaced. NOTE: There are some types of grout available that are non-staining.

PROTECTION AGAINST MOLD & MILDEW

Please continue reading here for more information on how grout sealing provides protection against mold & mildew, how often grout should be sealed and grout sealers, and how ABC can help.

TILE & GROUT CLEANING SERVICES AT ABC

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL TILE & GROUT CLEANING

Tile and grout cleaning is a service that can really be a lifesaver for customers. Because ceramic tile takes so much time and care to clean properly, it can quickly become the hard surface in a home or business that may get the least care.

CLEANING TILE VS. VACUUMING & SWEEPING

You may think mopping your tile surfaces is doing as good a job as vacuuming a carpet or sweeping a floor. But simply mopping to clean your tile surfaces may be doing more harm than good. Your mop's dirty water can push around contaminants that can stain the grout between your tiles. That's not to mention the stains that inevitably come with everyday life that can also change your tile and grout surfaces for the worse, especially if you are just mopping them.

When it comes to tile and grout cleaning, the equipment requirements more than double than for any other hard surface. Now we must get out the mop and mop bucket, a sponge, scouring pad, fill the bucket, change the dirty mop water, dump the final dirty water, clean the mop, clean the sponge and scouring pad, clean the bucket and put it all away again.

It's no wonder that today's busy homeowners, business owners, and apartment dwellers wait until the condition of the floor is no longer tolerable before tackling that messy job!

ADDRESSING THE GROUT

But wait...we haven't even addressed the grout yet! Not many of us are willing to get down on our hands and knees to use a small brush (and possibly toxic chemicals) to scrub each grout line in our tile floors.

If you are one of the lucky few who have had their grout sealed at the time of the tile installation, you are in luck with this particular part of the cleaning. But it is the case with about 90% of new tile installations, that because newly installed grout usually needs at least 72 hours to cure before it can be sealed, this very important step if often skipped by contractors.

The reasons for this are easy to understand. Busy contractors may find it difficult to return to a job site days after an installation and the additional man hours and material costs may also be prohibitive.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE GROUT IS NOT PROPERLY SEALED?

Please continue reading here for the answer to that question and how ABC can help.

TWO IMPORTANT HOLIDAYS IN MARCH

The month of March brings us much to be grateful for. In many areas of the country, winter is still wreaking havoc, but the coming of March gives us the promise of Spring, regrowth, and renewal.

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY-MARCH 17th

FROM LOCAL to GLOBAL in 400 YEARS

Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day, and that means everyone -- worldwide! Somehow a local celebration of a revered holy man became a global celebration.       

St. Patrick himself is a sympathetic figure. Most of what is known about the 5th century missionary and bishop comes from The Confessio, written by the man himself. In it, Patrick, who is thought to have been born in Roman Britain, tells of being kidnapped at 14 by Irish raiders who enslaved him. Patrick wrote that after six years as a slave, the voice of God guided him to a ship waiting to take him home.

In Britain, he studied to become a priest before returning to Ireland. There he worked miracles and converted thousands to Christianity, famously using a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.       

Patrick is said to have died in 461 on the 17th of March, a day that became a Christian feast day in the early 17th century.       

St. Patrick's Day started as a public holiday in a few places -- the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, a British colony called Montserrat and two Canadian provinces, Labrador and Newfoundland.

What started small is now a global celebration. In the 21st century, there are celebrations as far afield as New Zealand, Argentina, and Tokyo as well as closer to home in places like New Orleans in the US and in the Canadian city of Montreal.     

Experts say that while this has been partly influenced by the migration of the Irish around the world, the diaspora effect does not provide a full explanation. The festival also exists in places where there aren't many ethnic Irish people and is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival.       

Although criticized in many places for being commercial and promoting stereotypes of Irish culture, St. Patrick's Day festivals around the world have very little in common apart from the thematic color green.       

According to Patrick Griffin, a history professor at Notre Dame, there is nothing really Irish about the celebrations now with each location lending its own history to the event to create something unique. In Tokyo, for instance, where the festival began in 1992 and is largely organized by people who aren't Irish, festivities focus on cultural exchange and unity and are managed by a non-profit called Irish Network Japan.

In Montreal, St. Patrick Day parades began when Irish soldiers in the British army observed the day while there on conquest. Its continuance has mainly been due to a shared faith in Catholicism, say experts, rather than any desire to maintain a sense of Irish identity.



***********************************************************************

NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS DAY - MARCH 29

March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day, marking another year the observance is held on the same date nationwide.

Although most states celebrate 'Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day' each year, it hasn't always fallen on the same day, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Some states observed it on the 29th and some on the 30th.

However, March 29th is the date in 1973 that the last combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam, and this was the date President Nixon chose for the first Vietnam Veterans Day in 1974.

A similar holiday was observed on March 29, 2012, via a proclamation signed by President Obama, according to military.com, which said the year marked the start of a 13-year-long celebration honoring Vietnam War veterans that runs through Veterans Day 2025.

The celebration of the holiday on March 29th became official when President Trump signed 'The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017,' which encourages Americans to display the U.S. flag in honor of Vietnam veterans on that day.

And, of course, the observance should not be confused with Veterans Day, which is November 11th each year and honors veterans of all wars and conflicts. That holiday was originally established to mark the end of World War I and was initially referred to as Armistice Day.

REGULAR CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DISCOUNT CONTINUES IN MARCH!!

January 2-March 31, 2024

Thank you for being an ABC customer!

Each year we send out a discount postcard to our regular customers in appreciation for their loyalty.

ALL DISCOUNTS EXTEND TO FAMILY & FRIENDS!

The story behind the ABC RCAD (Regular Customer Appreciation Discount can be found here.

Call or text ABC at 607-272-1566 to schedule today!