Tile is a popular flooring choice—for many practical reasons. When maintained properly, it can stand up to heavy foot traffic over many years. Correctly caring for tile will help you extend its life span and avoid large-scale flooring repairs. Explore what you should do to maintain tile floors, and just as important, what you should avoid by following this guide.

Do:

Seal stone tile.

Natural stone, while beautiful and durable, is porous. Luckily, you can avoid stains and stave off flooring repairs and replacements by sealing stone. After cleaning the floor, allow it to dry completely before brushing on a layer of sealer. After letting it sit for 10 minutes, wipe off the residue. Reseal your tiles any time water no longer beads up on the surface.

Test scouring powders first.

Scouring powder removes stubborn grime from hard surfaces. Although most types are well-suited for tile floors, test a small patch before applying powder to your entire floor. You can make a chemical-free scouring paste at home by mixing baking soda with water.

Don’t:

Use abrasive pads for cleaning.

Although you may be tempted to scrub floors with abrasive pads, use only soft cloths and sponges on tile. Even when sealed, scouring pads may damage tile surfaces. Keep your tiles clean and prevent the need for flooring repairs by treating tile floors gently.

Apply wax-based cleaners.

When tile is sealed, it won’t absorb wax but grout may. To prevent grout discoloration, sweep up dirt as needed and mop occasionally with water, not wax.

Although these tips will help preserve your tile’s luster, accidents and general wear and tear may affect its condition. If you find yourself in need of flooring repair, don’t hesitate to call the team at Cross Carpet Repair & More. Serving Lexington, KY, this trusted team has provided exceptional flooring installation and repair services to the community for more than 30 years. They specialize in a broad range of flooring styles, including carpet, tile, laminate, and wood. Explore their full list of flooring services online, or call (859) 225-3863 to speak with a team member.