TILE MATERIALS AND CARE GUIDE

Tile & Stone Care & Maintenance Guide

Properly installed tile and stone can last a lifetime with the right care. This guide outlines best practices for protecting, cleaning, sealing, and maintaining your surfaces, helping them stay beautiful and durable for years to come.

Protecting New Tile Work

Avoid walking on newly installed tile floors until all setting and grouting materials have fully cured.
Schedule painting, ceiling work, and mechanical/electrical work after tile installation to prevent damage.
If foot traffic is unavoidable, protect the surface with non-staining kraft paper covered by ¾”-thick plywood or OSB panels.
Do not cover tile directly with plastic or polyethylene, as this can trap moisture and interfere with grout curing.

Sealing Tile, Stone & Grout

When to Seal: Most unglazed tile, natural stone, and cement-based grout benefit from sealing. Glazed porcelain or ceramic tile usually only requires grout sealing.
Types of Sealers:
- Penetrating/Impregnating Sealers – Protect without changing the appearance. Long-lasting and suitable for interior and exterior use.
- Coating Sealers – Provide a gloss or matte finish and may darken the surface. Require more frequent re-application.
- Color-Enhancing Sealers – Deepen color or provide a “wet look.” Commonly used on porous stones and grout.
Pre-Grout Sealing: Some high-porosity stones should be sealed before grouting to prevent staining. A test area is always recommended.
Important: Surfaces must be clean and dry before sealing. Always follow manufacturer instructions.

Routine Cleaning & Care

Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove grit that may scratch the surface.
Mop with a soft mop and a neutral pH cleaner made for tile or stone.
Avoid vinegar, bleach, ammonia, scouring powders, or abrasive cleaners — these can etch stone, weaken grout, and strip sealers.
For textured or rough surfaces, periodic scrubbing with a soft nylon brush and alkaline cleaner may be needed.
Wipe up spills promptly to avoid staining.

Problem Solving & Stain Removal

Even with proper care, issues may arise. Common problems include:

Problem	Recommended Solution
Grout haze	Use a non-acidic grout haze remover within 10 days of grouting. For cured grout, use sulfamic or phosphoric acid cleaners (except on acid-sensitive stone).
Efflorescence (white deposits)	Clean with a specialty efflorescence remover or mild sulfamic acid.
Soap scum	Use an alkaline cleaner designed for bathrooms.
Stains in porous stone	Apply a poultice or specialty stone stain remover.
Sealer residue	Use a non-flammable solvent stripper or follow sealer manufacturer’s directions.
Faded/uneven grout color	Apply grout colorant or enhancer.

Tip: Never use muriatic acid. It can permanently damage tile, stone, and grout.

Special Considerations

Interior Surfaces

Use doormats at entryways to reduce tracked-in dirt.
Protect stone countertops from acidic spills (wine, citrus, vinegar) and use cutting boards.

Exterior Surfaces

Inspect outdoor tile and grout annually for cracks or sealant breakdown.
Repair movement joints as needed and reseal surfaces before freezing weather.
Clean with neutral cleaners; avoid pressure washing at close range, which may damage grout.

Porcelain Tile

Polished Porcelain: Clean with pH-neutral products. For stubborn stains, use alkaline cleaners or professional restoration.
Textured/Unglazed Porcelain: Requires more frequent scrubbing due to its micro-textured surface. Use a penetrating sealer if recommended.

Helpful Hints (Myths vs Facts)

Bleach & vinegar are not good cleaners for grout or stone. Use neutral pH products instead.
Sealing is highly recommended for most grout and natural stone, but it won’t make them maintenance-free — regular cleaning is still required.
Household sprays like Windex or 409 can cloud or damage natural stone over time. Always use cleaners formulated for stone.
Oil-based products like lemon oil may make stone appear fresh but leave a sticky residue that attracts dirt.

Final Notes

Tile and stone are long-lasting, low-maintenance materials when cared for properly. Establishing a consistent cleaning and sealing routine is the best way to protect your investment. If unusual problems arise, contact your installer or the product manufacturer for specialized guidance.

Countertop Care & Maintenance Guide

Properly fabricated and installed countertops can provide beauty and functionality for many years. This guide outlines best practices for protecting, cleaning, and maintaining your surfaces—whether natural stone, engineered stone, or other materials—helping them stay durable, stain-resistant, and visually stunning over time.

Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the most durable natural stones, but it’s still porous and needs protection.

Daily Cleaning: Use warm water with a drop of mild dish soap or a pH-neutral stone cleaner. Avoid vinegar, bleach, or ammonia.
Spill Protection: Wipe acidic or oily spills (wine, coffee, citrus, cooking oil) immediately to prevent stains.
Sealing: Perform the “water drop test” annually. If water absorbs within 30 minutes, resealing is needed (usually every 1–2 years).
Preventative Tips: Always use cutting boards and trivets. Never place hot pots or pans directly on the surface.

Marble Countertops

Marble offers timeless beauty but is softer and more porous than granite, requiring extra care.

Daily Cleaning: Clean with pH-neutral stone cleaners or mild dish soap; never use acidic cleaners, which can etch marble.
Sealing: Must be sealed upon installation and resealed every 6–12 months.
Spill Response: Acidic spills (wine, juice, vinegar) can etch instantly—wipe up immediately.
Special Care: Avoid cutting directly on marble; it scratches easily.

Quartz Countertops (Engineered Stone)

Quartz is non-porous and doesn’t require sealing, making it one of the easiest countertop materials to maintain.

Daily Cleaning: Wipe with warm water and mild soap or a quartz-safe cleaner.
Avoid Heat Damage: Quartz is heat-resistant but not heat-proof. Use trivets or hot pads under pots and pans.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Bleach, oven cleaners, and solvents can discolor resin binders in quartz.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is a natural stone, harder than granite, but still porous.

Daily Cleaning: Use pH-neutral stone cleaners. Avoid vinegar and citrus-based cleaners.
Sealing: Needs sealing, typically once a year depending on usage.
Preventative Tips: Use coasters, trivets, and cutting boards to prevent scratches and etching.

General Countertop Care Tips (All Surfaces)

Use cutting boards to protect from scratches and your knives.
Use coasters and trivets to prevent heat and water damage.
Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasives.
Wipe up spills immediately to prevent staining.

Flooring Maintenance Guide

Well-installed flooring—whether hardwood, laminate, LVP, carpet, or carpet tile—can last for decades with the right care. This guide provides key tips for protecting, cleaning, and maintaining your floors, ensuring they remain safe, attractive, and long-lasting for years of everyday use.

1. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) & Vinyl Flooring

Daily Care:

Sweep or vacuum with a hard floor setting (no beater bar).
Wipe spills immediately with a damp cloth.

Routine Maintenance:

Mop with warm water and a pH-neutral vinyl-safe cleaner (avoid abrasive cleaners, wax, or polish).
Do not use steam mops—high heat can damage vinyl and loosen adhesives.

Prevention:

Use entry mats to trap grit.
Place felt pads under furniture to avoid scratching.

2. Laminate Flooring

Daily Care:

Dust, sweep, or vacuum regularly. Use vacuums without beater bars to prevent scratching.
Clean spills quickly—laminate is sensitive to moisture.

Routine Maintenance:

Damp mop only with laminate-approved cleaners. Avoid excessive water.
Never wax, polish, or sand laminate.

Prevention:

Maintain indoor humidity (30–50%) to prevent warping.
Use protective mats in high-traffic areas.

3. Carpet

Daily Care:

Vacuum high-traffic areas daily, and all carpet at least 1–2 times weekly.
Clean spills immediately—blot, never rub.

Routine Maintenance:

Use Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval cleaners and vacuums.
Have carpets professionally deep-cleaned every 12–18 months.

Prevention:

Place mats at entryways and runners in heavy-use areas.
Rearrange furniture periodically to prevent uneven wear.

4. Hardwood Floors (Solid & Engineered)

Daily Care:

Sweep, dust-mop, or vacuum with a bare floor setting.
Wipe spills immediately—excess moisture damages wood.

Routine Maintenance:

Use a manufacturer-recommended hardwood cleaner monthly. Avoid oil soaps or harsh chemicals.
Recoat floors when the finish begins to dull (screen & coat).

Prevention:

Keep humidity between 30–50% and temps between 60–80 °F.
Use felt pads on furniture and mats at entryways.