TREATMENT OF PORCELAIN TILES.

Lithofin – Technical Support Tel - 01962 732126 ; Fax – 01962 735373.                         Tower 020 7485 7192

New Build Method Statement Specification for Fully Vitrified Porcelain Tiles

Method Statement Specification for Fully Vitrified Polished and Porcelain Tiles

(I)         Installation

These stain resistant and hard-wearing tiles are almost maintenance-free. Their patterns and designs are extremely flexible and they are available in a flexible range of patterns and designs, and in two basic textures:

·         machine polished high shine finish, and

·         a matt or textured eggshell finish.

The cleaning and treatment of these tiles is similar to that for unglazed ceramic tiles, but there are some important differences. Application of the appropriate Lithofin products will ensure that the tiles are to live up to their reputation for low maintenance and easy cleaning.

 (ii)        Cleaning

There are two special cleaning products designed specifically for use on fully vitrified porcelain tiles

·         Lithofin FZ Intensive Cleaner is a highly alkaline product which will remove virtually all blemishes, scuffmarks etc. from new installations of riven porcelain tiles.

·         Lithofin FZ Conditioning Cleaner can be used for maintaining the tiles thereafter polished porcelain tiles will require little, if any, cleaning after fixing or after grouting, due to their general surface constitution.

Riven porcelain tiles do need a little more attention when they are new, due to a microscopic roughness that is apparent after firing and lasts for the first six to twelve months until reduced by regular maintenance and wear and tear. New riven porcelain tiles are prone to marking and scuffing during new build, and you will need Lithofin FZ Intensive Cleaner to clean them, both prior to impregnation and for presentation to the client.

(iii)       Protection

Following fixing, but before grouting, you should treat both polished and riven porcelain tiles with Lithofin FZ Protective Impregnator.

Polished porcelain tiles are more porous than you might expect, and are prone to staining from tyre oils in car showrooms and from some household substances. Lighter coloured tiles are especially vulnerable. The porosity of these tiles can be successfully reduced using Lithofin FZ Protective Impregnator, with a coverage of 25 to 40 squire metres per litre.

Riven porcelain tiles are much less porous, but the use of Lithofin FZ Protective Impregnator at an approximate coverage of between 35 and 50 sq. metres per litre, will help smooth out the microscopic surface pores which are present for the first 6-12 months of the floor's life. Coverage in this case wilI be 35-50 square metres per litre.

In either case, apply Lithofin FZ Protective Impregnator by dampening a mop with the product and smearing a thin, semi-dry residue of the product over the surface. Wipe off any larger residues as you go.

(iv) Grouting

Lithofin products are only necessary during grouting when laying riven or matt porcelain tiles, since these surfaces are prone to initial scuffing and staining initially. Even if the floor has been treated with Lithofin FZ Protective Impregnator, you will need to use an acid cleaner such as Lithofin Cement-Away to clean up the tiles during grouting, especially if epoxy or resin grouting has been specified.

Following grouting and cleaning, rinse the floor. It will then be ready for handover to the client.

(v)        Protection

If the polished porcelain or riven tiles have been grouted with sand and cement or a porous grout finish, you may need to treat the surfaces very lightly with Lithofin FZ Protective Impregnator, at a coverage of 40-60 square metres per litre.

If epoxy grout (or similar) was used, and the initial application of Lithofin FZ Protective Impregnator was carried out properly, there will be need for another treatment with the product

(vi) Maintenance

On polished porcelain tiles, the impregnator will last far as long as the tile retains its surface constitution, and will remain permanently within the tile If it Is adequately maintained.

Polished porcelain tiles will require little If any maintenance with alkaline or neutral detergents. On riven porcelain tiles, the Impregnator will only last as long as the microscopic rough pores and capillaries that were formed during the firing process last. As the pores are worn away by use and maintenance, the impregnator will also wear away. After six to twelve months the roughness will have disappeared, and the Lithofin FZ Protective Impregnator will have done its job In reducing the maintenance requirement during those initial months.

Lithofin FZ Conditioning Cleaner is a maintenance product designed for riven or eggshell finish porcelain tiles. It will protect them from degrading and discoloration caused by scuffing or wear and tear This product may be used in a machine or by hand.

To maintain rough honed riven porcelain tiles, intermittent use of Lithofin FZ Intensive Cleaner may be necessary for the first six to twelve months.

Please note : This section is constantly in development. As a result, 
modifications to the guidelines may be made at any time without 
prior notice. Any information contained herein or given by our employees 
is given in good faith and is based upon current knowledge and 
historic experience.