Taking Care Of Ceramic Tile Floors

If you are one of the millions of homeowners who has made the switch from carpet to tile flooring

, you will need to know how to care for your investment. Surprisingly easy to care for, ceramic tile floors add beauty and an upscale feel to any home. Though not as difficult to care for as hardwood floors, they do require some extra care to keep the tiles free from abrasions, cracks or discoloring for years to come. It is fairly simple to take care of tile floors.

Daily Care

The most important step to keeping your tile floors looking as new as they did the day they were installed is to properly maintain them. Frequent sweeping up of dust and dirt particles is important to keeping grit and grime from being ground into the porous surface. Glossy finishes can be scratched by grit. Wipe up spills immediately to prevent staining of the grout. You should also take care to move furniture and other items by lifting them instead of dragging them on over the tiles. Using felt pads will help prevent scratching and possible tile breakage.

Cleaning and Sealing

Through daily or otherwise frequent dry mopping of your floors, you should be able to keep your tile floor relatively clean for a couple weeks. When it comes time to thoroughly clean your floor however, be careful which product you use. Pay attention to your floor manufacturers recommendations. There are cleansers made specifically for ceramic tiles. You may also be able to find a spray cleanser that works with your dry mop head, much like is used on laminate floors. Ceramic tiles should not need regular sealing unless they are highly porous. Also avoid any product that is waxy or will otherwise leave a dangerous slippery film on the tile surface.

Precautions to Take

Ceramic tile is becoming a more popular choice for flooring in new homes. They can be installed in wet areas where laminate or hardwood floor is not recommended, such as laundry rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Though suitable for wet areas, it is also important to remember that when wet, tiles can be slippery and dangerous regardless of the finish. One way to avoid accidents is by using floor rugs and runners in high traffic areas. Doing so will also prevent dirt from building up one the tile and in the grout. Simply washing your rugs is much easier and convenient than getting on your hands and knees to scrub the floor.

A versatile and esthetically pleasing alternative to carpet and laminate flooring, ceramic tile has quickly become the choice of flooring for many homeowners. Using the above guidelines will help you maintain a beautiful looking floor that you and your family will be able to enjoy through all of the memories you make in your home.

by: Joe Cline

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