Preparing Marble Floor Tiles for Sealing
Marble, travertine, limestone, and granite tiles should only be cleaned with alkaline and neutral cleaners, such as Stoneshield Deep-clean™ and Stoneshield Xtreme-Clean™. Acid-based cleaners like Stoneshield Grout-Lift™ and Stoneshield Brick & Masonry Cleaner™ should never be used to clean marble floor tiles unless an etched or weathered look is desired.
Why Should Marble Floor Tiles Be Sealed?
Stone, marble, travertine, and granite are all natural materials that have been quarried or processed. Their natural shape can’t be changed, so they need to be sealed to protect against:g makes the tile or stone less porous, which makes it less likely that it will get stained permanently.
- Sealing keeps acids (such as vinegar, wine, coffee, sugar, or soft drinks) from penetrating and damaging the tile.
- Sealing makes the surface stronger, making it less likely to wear down and giving it more protection.
- Sealing natural stone, marble, terracotta, and other natural materials can often make the finish look better.
How to Choose an Appropriate Sealer
Sealers are meant to protect the tile or surface they are put on. Depending on the type of floor or tile, different kinds of protection are needed. A penetrating sealer or repellent should be used for surfaces that require stain protection. A resin based sealer should be used for surfaces that need to be protected from both wear and tear and stains. In this case, a sealer made of resin is needed. It is a matter of individual preference whether the final surface finish is left natural or the colour is enhanced.
Stoneshield Marble Granite and Travertine Sealant
Stoneshield Marble Granite and Travertine Sealer is a high-quality, solvent-based, penetrating, no-shine, no-surface-film, natural-looking water and oil repellent that protects against stains as much as possible. Can be used as a sealer before grouting on clean surfaces at least 6 hours in advance. It lets water vapour through. Indoor and outdoor friendly.
Uses: It works on low-porosity tiles like polished, honed, tumbled, and natural marble, travertine, granite, and limestone.
Stoneshield Colour-Enhancer™
Stoneshield Colour-Enhancer™ is a top-of-the-line, water-based, penetrating, no-shine, no-surface-film, colour-enhancing, water- and oil-repellent that penetrates deep into the fabric for maximum stain protection. It lets water vapour through. This sealer can be used inside and outside.
Uses: Can be used on low-porosity tiles like marble, travertine, granite, and limestone that have been honed, tumbled, or left natural.
Stoneshield Wall-Cladding-Sealer™
Stoneshield Wall-Cladding-Sealer™ is a water-based penetrating water repellent with a natural look, no sheen, and no surface film. Made to protect against rain, moisture, general airborne dirt, pollution, mould, and mildew. It lets water vapour through. It can be used inside and outside.
Uses: It can be used on marble, travertine, granite, and limestone that has been honed, polished, tumbled, or left natural.
Marble Floor Tiles: Sealer Instructions and Precautions
Making mistakes when applying a floor sealer to marble floor tiles can be costly and may require professional intervention to fix. Rather avoid this and get it right the first time.
Here are a few tips that may help you achieve the best results:
- Always read the product label before using a sealer on floors.
- Do not use a sealer on tiles or surfaces that are wet.
- Give the grout and tile adhesive enough time to dry completely before sealing. Check the label on theStoneshield sealer to find out how long it should dry.
- After sealing, don’t wet tiles or surfaces for at least 24 hours.
- Depending on the sealer you choose, give the floor at least 4 to 8 hours to dry before walking on it. Do not use a sealer outside if it is going to rain in the next 12 hours.
Maintaining Sealed Marble Floor Tiles
Only use Stoneshield Daily-Clean™ to clean marble floor tiles to make the sealer last longer. If the surface gets dirty or hard to clean, reapply the original Stoneshield sealer that was used.