Step-by-Step Guide To Maintaining Your Cement Tiles
Cement tiles are experiencing a surge in popularity among homeowners. For some, this may be news. But for others, they’ve likely already got or are considering adding these captivating tiles to their space.
Either way, this article serves as your comprehensive guide to maintaining your cement tiles, ensuring they last for years to come.
However, before deciding whether cement is right for your next renovation project, it’s essential to learn more about how to care for and maintain it.
Cement Tiles Are Trending
As professional tile installers, we’re receiving many questions from clients about the merits of cement tile: are they worth all the hype? Yes! The pros of cement tiles far outweigh their cons, making them an ideal tile material for every homeowner to consider using in their space.
Here are some notable benefits of cement tiles:
- Durability: If you have a busy family with kids or dogs, cement tiles are perfect for you as they’re durable and long-lasting.
- Eco-friendly: Are you eco-conscious? Well, good news, many cement tiles are made from recycled materials, making them an excellent, eco-friendly material.
- Resistance: If you need a floor that can handle everything life can throw at it, this is the tile for you, as cement is resistant to moisture, heat, and wear and tear.
- Aesthetics: Cement tiles aren’t just practical; they’re also visually appealing. They come in any pattern, design, or colour.
- Insulation: Do you want warm toes in the winter or to save on home energy consumption? Believe it or not, with a high thermal mass, cement tiles maintain their temperature, keeping your feet warm during the cooler months.
How To Care For Cement Tiles
If you’re keen on installing cement tiles or if you need a refresher on how to maintain them, here’s our step-by-step guide on cement tile upkeep:
- Seal Tiles: This may seem like an odd first step, but while your tile installers are there laying cement tiles in your kitchen, have them seal them against stains and to make cleaning them even easier.
- Sweep: Your goal is to sweep 1- 2 times a week to remove dust and debris that could scratch your floors. If your space is quite busy, then sweep more often.
- Spills: Don’t leave spills to settle on your tiles; wipe them up immediately with a soapy cloth. Acids, such as vinegar, can eat through the sealant and may eventually cause stains.
- Mop: Now that you have a floor free of dust, debris, and spills, it’s time to mop using a soft mop head and a tile-specific cleaning solution. These solutions are specially formulated to clean without affecting the surface sealant. Ideally, we recommend mopping your cement tiles 1- 2 times a week.
- Clean Grout: Invest in a soft, handheld brush to scrub between the thin cement tile lines once a month to prevent grime buildup.
- Buff Out Scratches: If you notice shallow scratches on your cement tiles, you can use 220-grit sandpaper to buff them out. However, if you sand your tiles yourself, you’ll need to reseal them afterwards. And don’t worry if you’re not comfortable doing scratch removal yourself, many tile installers offer scratch repairs!
- Reseal: Lastly, keep an eye out for imperfections or signs your tile needs resealing. You can always try the water drop test; if the tile absorbs it, it’s time to reseal your floors. Typically, cement sealants last for 10 years.
Final Thoughts On Caring For Cement Tiles
Cement tiles make an excellent addition to any space, from your kitchen, shower stall, hallways, to your backsplash. If you’ve been seeing all the home trends featured on HomeStars or your social media and wondered whether cement tiles would work for your next project, hopefully, this maintenance guide has helped demonstrate how easy they are to care for and that they’re suitable for any space you want to use tile in.
But if you still have questions about how to care for cement tiles, then give us a call at the Brothers Flooring for a free consultation, and we’ll have your answers! With over 20 years of experience in the tile installation industry, we’re confident that we can help you understand why cement tiles are not just trendy, but an excellent choice for your next renovation.
