Cleaning, Sealing and Maintaining NCI Split Tiles with Tile & Floor Care Products
Remember Always
1. If in doubt, call Tile & Floor Care for
free advice on 011 450-1774.
2. Understand that you have purchased natural product and that it needs
to be sealed AND maintained. Proper maintenance prolongs
the life span of all types of tiles.
3. The NCI Split unglazed tile is a very low porosity and will only accept
a small amount of sealer. Take care not to over-apply the sealer.
4. The sealing and maintenance differs for interior and exterior applications.
Cleaning After Laying
During grouting make sure to remove all excess grout from the surface
with clean water. Attempting to clean the grout off the surface with dirty
water and/or dirty cloth or sponge does not clean the surface. After the
grout had dried use Grout Off, diluted to the correct solution, to remove
any residues, since these will impair the finish after sealing and will
result in a very expensive repair. Two types of cleaners are needed to
prepare the floor for sealing. The first to be used is Grout Off (for
the removal of grout and cement residues). The second is Easy Clean to
remove any grease and oil type stains and to neutralize the surface before
sealing. Follow the instructions on the labels. INSPECT the floor after
grouting and cleaning and before sealing.
Choosing a Sealer
When sealing a terracotta tiles, there are generally two types of sealers
you may use; they are Top Seal and HP Sealer.
The sealers give different finishes to the tile and protect the tile in
a different manner. It is imperative to check the features of the sealers
before choosing.
Top Seal
Top Seal as the name suggests, protects the tile from
the top. Part of the sealer penetrates in order to bond with the substrate,
but the sealer is designed to form a protective layer on the surface thereby
protecting against wear and tear. Top Seal is an acrylic.
The sealing and maintenance procedure follows.
HP Sealer
HP Sealer penetrates into the tile and protects from
within. HP Sealer bonds and fills the substrate making it stronger and
preventing stains from entering the surface. HP Sealer
is a urethane sealer and will result in a matt finish and colour enhancement.
| Name |
Top Seal |
HP Sealer |
| Type |
Acrylic |
Urethane |
| Use |
Interior & Exterior |
Interior & Exterior |
| Base |
Water |
Solvent |
| Finish |
Sheen |
Matt |
| Colour Enhancement |
Minimal colour change |
Considerable
colour change |
| Coverage |
Depends on
porosity +- 12 to 20 m2 per litre |
Depends on
porosity +- 7 to 15 m2 per litre |
| Maintenance |
Interior –
Maxi Shine, Exterior – Easy Seal, Daily Cleaning –
Quick Clean |
Daily Cleaning
– Quick Clean |
| Wash & Seal |
Same day providing
the tile has dried sufficiently |
48 hours between
washing & sealing |
Sealing With Top Seal
1. Read the instructions on the label.
2. Wait 10 to 14 days after the tile has been installed and at least 8 hours after the last wash before sealing.
3. Inspect the floor before sealing to ensure that it is clean, as dirt may have settled after the last cleaning operation. Dry dirt can be swept or vacuumed before sealing, but it is important to protect the floor from wet dirt between cleaning and sealing. Do not seal if there are any grout residues or any other type of dirt on the floor.
4. Now that the floor is clean and dry, apply a medium coat of Tile & Floor Care Top Seal so that the grouting is also sealed. Avoid pooling and DO NOT use a roller of any type, as they do not deposit enough sealer and cause bubbles. Suitable applicators are a sheepskin applicator, propad or a good quality brush respectively. One litre covers 10 to 15 square meters, depending on porosity. Do not disturb and allow to dry for 2 to 4 hours. Apply a second coat and a third coat if necessary.
5. Do not disturb and allow to dry for 4 hours.
6. INTERIOR – Apply two medium coats of Tile & Floor Care Maxi Shine allowing 4 hours between coats. Use the same type of applicators as above.
7. EXTERIOR – Apply one liberal coat of Tile & Floor Care Easy Seal (using the same method as above). Never apply in direct sunlight or on hot tiles as the sealer dries too quickly and will not have a chance to penetrate and adhere to the tile, allow to dry for 2 hours and then apply a second thin coat.
Maintenance
INTERIOR
1. Heavy duty dirt and grime – use Tile & Floor
Care Easy Clean diluted with water to the correct strength
to remove dirt & grime
1-50 for mild cleaning,
1-20 for medium dirt,
1-10 for heavy dirt.
ALWAYS rinse with fresh clean water after cleaning with Easy Clean.
2. Whenever tiles that have been treated with Maxi Shine
are looking dull or showing signs of wear in high traffic areas, they
need another coat of Maxi Shine. You only need to apply
Maxi Shine to the areas that are showing signs of tracking.
EXTERIOR
Whenever there are signs that water penetrates and darkens the tile rapidly,
then apply a liberal coat of Tile & Floor Care Easy
Seal. DO NOT apply in direct sunlight or on hot tiles as the
sealer dries too quickly and will not have a chance to penetrate and adhere
to the tile.
Sealing With HP Sealer
1. Read the instructions on the label.
2. Wait 10 to 14 days after the tile has been installed and 48 hours after
cleaning before sealing.
3. Inspect the floor before sealing to ensure that it is clean, as dirt
may have settled after the last cleaning operation. Dry dirt can be swept
or vacuumed before sealing, but it is important to protect the floor from
wet dirt between cleaning and sealing. Do not seal if there are any grout
residues or any other type of dirt on the floor.
4. Inspect the floor before sealing to ensure that it is clean, as dirt
may have settled after the last cleaning operation. If the floor is dirty
and cannot be cleaned then phone Tile & Floor Care
on 011 450-1774. Do not seal if there are any grout residues or any other
type of dirt on the floor.
5. If it is necessary to clean the floor before, sealing remember that
you will have to wait 48 hours before sealing with HP Sealer.
6. Now that the floor is clean and dry, apply a thin even coat of Tile
& Floor Care HP Sealer so that the grouting is also sealed. DO NOT
use a roller of any type, as they do not deposit enough sealer and cause
bubbles. Suitable applicators are a sheepskin applicator, lint free cloth
or a good quality paint brush respectively. One litre covers 5 to 10 square
meters, depending on porosity. Do not disturb and allow to dry for 4 to
6 hours.
7. Apply a second coat of HP Sealer in the opposite direction
as the first coat as this will help to avoid streaking.
8. A third coat may be necessary. Remember that HP Sealer
is a penetrating sealer and is designed to sit within the tile, and not
on top. Therefore you should stop applying the sealer when it begins to
sit on top of the tile.
9. Do not disturb and allow to dry for 4 to 6 hours.
10. Do not allow water on the tiles for 48 hours after sealing.
Choice Of Finish.
Matt – Once you have applied the final coat of sealer, leave to
cure and matt down.
Gloss – Once the final coat of sealer is cured apply 2 coats of
Maxi Shine, (not recommended for exterior use).
Maintenance
1. For daily cleaning clean with Tile & Floor Care
Quick Clean.
2. Heavy duty dirt and grime – use Tile & Floor
Care Easy Clean diluted with water to the correct strength
to remove dirt & grime
1-50 for mild cleaning,
1-20 for medium dirt,
1-10 for heavy dirt.
ALWAYS rinse with fresh clean water after cleaning with Easy Clean.
GENERAL
If spillage occurs, then clean up as soon as possible. If staining occurs,
contact Tile & Floor Care on 0800 00 6173.