The durability of tiles is determined from the time of purchase and also from the level of care they receive after installation. Installing the wrong set of tiles, such as in a bathroom, cannot make your bathroom tiling last. The same applies to the level of maintenance that you accord the tiles.
Choose the right tiles
Sometimes, people tend to purchase the same set of tiles to be fitted throughout the house. This should not be the case. Different sections of the house may require different sets of tiles. When planning to purchase tiles, consider visiting one of the tile companies in Ottawa for consultation purposes. You will learn that the bathroom requires a unique and different set of tiles in comparison to other parts of the house. The same applies to kitchen tiles. Additionally, wall tiles tend to differ from floor tiles. It is essential to be aware of all that information so that you can purchase the right tiles for your house.
Clean the tiles regularly
Tiles require regular cleaning to keep them clean and shiny. The most affected tiles are usually those located at the entrance and exit points as they tend to experience heavier traffic than those located in other sections of the house. You may use a neutral detergent in addition to warm water to clean the tiles. Acid-based detergents are often discouraged as some tend to react with the components of the tiles, wearing them out. With the tiles located at the main entrance point, consider covering them with a welcome mat, which not only reduces their rate of wear but also helps keep them clean.
Repair any damage as they occur
Sometimes, tiles begin to loosen up. This may be a result of the use of inadequate mortar during installation. The tiles may also crack due to some mechanical impact. Whatever the reason is, any detected defects ought to be repaired as soon as possible. A loosened tile, when not repaired early, may result in cracking when a heavy load is placed on it. It may also allow the penetration of water between the gaps, which puts the surrounding tiles at risk of also loosening up.
Use sealants
Tiles installed in bathrooms and laundry rooms tend to get more exposed to water than those installed in other rooms. As such, there is a need to include waterproofing mortar before laying the tiles. The aim is to prevent the penetration of water, which tends to loosen and weakens the tiles, increasing their chances of cracking. After the introduction of the waterproofing mortar, the tiles may be installed. This may be followed by the application of sealing grout between adjacent tiles to further reduce the passage of water. Always look out for possible signs that the applied sealing grout may be breaking. Finally, apply an additional grout layer to keep the water away.
The durability of the tiles in your house is dependent on how well you maintain them. With water being their main threat, strive to keep the tiles dry as much as possible.
