• Types of Tile Explained•
• Tile & Grout Cleaning Procedures •
Ceramic tile is man-made clay fired material. Glazed ceramic tile (single-fired, double-fired, etc...) does not normally require any protective treatment. It is the glaze itself that gives the tile its excellent protection and resistance to the absorption of dirt. Many of the new ceramic tiles in today’s market are manufactured to look like real stone; these imitations are quite impressive and can fool many uninformed hard surface cleaning firms. As a general rule the cleanability of ceramic tile is outstanding and the process is generally relatively simple. Professional cleaning and sealing will restore the tile to a like-new condition.
VCT Tile
Vinyl Composition Tile can be found in 9” inch tiles, but is most commonly found in 12” squares. It contains vinyl resins and comes in a wide variety of colors. It is an extremely dense yet porous floor and has good resistance to acid, alkaline and solvent base spots and spills. It is highly resilient and is installed in light, medium and heavy traffic areas. VCT is the most commonly found resilient floor for commercial use.
Quarry Tile & Paver Brick
Quarry Tiles are an unglazed ceramic material. They are extremely durable and particularly well suited for exterior paving due to their low absorption and resistance to freezing. Their low absorbency allows for rapid drying. In any case, protecting treatments should only be carried out when the floor is completely dry. There are different products and processes for these materials according to whether they are laid indoors or out. The two most common types of Quarry and Paver Bricks are Rustic and Stoneware.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is very hard and resistant to chemical agents, scratches, freezing and the absorption of water. Porcelain is ideal for paving floors in public places such as restaurants, airports, schools, hospitals and shopping centers. It has also recently begun to be used in residential applications. Porcelain Tile can be given a polished surface industrially. This produces the “polished” version with its mirror-like shine. However, unlike the “natural” or unpolished versions, this is subject to marking. It can be honed and polished, but it is a very difficult and time consuming process.
Terracotta Tile or Saltillo Tile
Terracotta and saltillo tiles are one of the oldest ceramic materials made by man. This type of tile is created by mixing clay and water, leaving it to dry naturally and finally baking it in a kiln. Saltillo Tile has particular characteristics that demand special treatment. The unique properties exist in its absorption, special finish, and composition of different clay types.
Cleaning Procedures
Mask and Protect – All carpet and fixtures are protected with masking tape. The areas surrounding stone or tile are protected with a 24 inch plastic dispenser and duct tape to insure that there will be no damage from water or slurry.
Cleaning & Restoration – All edges and hard to reach areas are hand detailed to remove surface contaminants. Marble and grout lines are machine and hand scrubbed in conjunction with our new SX-12 technology. This technology allows us to use a truck-mount, hot water extraction system with specialized cleaners to achieve the maximum amount of soil removal.
The new SX-12 technology is very light, weighing only 15 pounds, yet it is extremely strong and durable. The handle lays down flat allowing it access under counters and other hard to reach areas. To really understand the power of the new SX-12 you have to understand its cleaning action. It is a self-contained rotary washer, driven by water pressure. It washes the surface and immediately recovers the released soil and water at the same time. No other tool gets more outstanding results!
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Hours: Monday-Friday 9-5pm • Phone: 270-781-0093 • Fax: 270-846-1155
111 Dishman Lane Bowling Green, KY 42103 (c) 2006 Master Clean, Inc.