With the onset of spring – most homeowners are looking to their outdoor spaces and working out how they can make them more appealing after the months of winter neglect. With our gorgeous spring and summer weather, alfresco entertainment is an integral part of the South African lifestyle.
Homeowners and their guests spend loads of time outdoors in the warmer months, and one of the best ways to keep your outdoor areas looking pristine and well kept is to keep the tiles in these spaces in tip-top condition. This should not be a difficult or expensive job, however it is does require a bit of preparation and regular maintenance.
“Natural tiles, terracotta and porcelain tiles are particularly suitable as outdoor tiles – they provide an organic elegance with the added benefit of excellent durability,” says Kate van Niekerk, marketing manager for Tile Africa.
To begin, she advises that you wash terracotta tiles with Tile & Floor Care Grout Off and Easy Clean after installation to remove any building residue and to prepare the tiles for sealing. Professionals must install natural stone tiles such as sandstone and slate, and it is essential to seal these tiles after installation as they are porous and will stain if they are not correctly sealed. Tile Africa offers the following helpful tips to keep your outdoor tiles in good condition:
Clean the tiles regularly to remove dirt, wipe away footprints, marks and reinforce the protective layer. It is advisable to clean tiles as frequently as possible, as staining is possible if dirt is not wiped away.
For everyday cleaning, use water and normal cleaning products, such as Tile & Floor Care Quick Clean for example. “Make sure the tile is dry before walking on it after cleaning. To increase the detergent efficiency, dilute it with warm water,” advises van Niekerk.
It is important that after installation, you seal your outdoor grouting with a good grout sealant such as Tile & Floor Care Grout Seal. The sealant acts as protective shield against spills. Tile & Floor Care recommends you wait for around seven to14 days for the grout to dry thoroughly after installation before sealing the grout. Thereafter, clean it thoroughly with Tile & Floor Care Grout Off and Tile & Floor Care Easy Clean to keep the grout clean.
Use a product such as Grout Renu from Tile & Floor Care to clean your grout if it becomes stained. Always remember that you cannot clean sealed grout lines with Grout Renu without damaging the sealer. Grout Renu can only be used on unsealed grout to clean the grout and after cleaning, you will need to seal the grout with a grout sealant. You can also use TAL Goldstar Groutsealer, a nifty aerosol sealer that is specially designed to seal grout joints.
Place protective mats under heavy outdoor furniture to protect the tiles from cracking. Avoid furniture with small-points of ground-contact and surfaces with abrasive materials such as metal pads or hard brushes that can scratch or leave permanent marks on the surface of your tiles.
“It is vital to use the correct cleaning products to enjoy and maintain the tiles in your entertainment area,” says Chantale Pretorius, sales and marketing executive for Tile & Floor Care. Outdoor tiles are very hardy and durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions lasting many years with the correct after care.
Pictures courtesy of: Tile Africa
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