Floor sealing advice
Get expert advice from THE experts in floor sealing.
Tile and stone floors are one of the bigger investments for any home or business, as such many of our customers are concerned with how to keep them in the best condition possible. A small amount of care and attention in the short term can prevent major expenses in the long run by stopping minor issues from growing out of hand. Read on for some floor sealing advice so you get the job done properly first time.
Why do we seal floors?
Sealing is a key part of tile and stone care. It’s simply the best way to protect your investment. All natural materials are, to some degree, vulnerable to the effects of moisture. Some are more sensitive than others, but all benefit from the protection offered by sealing. Sealer essentially creates a barrier between the surface of the tile or stone and whatever goes on top of it. If you were to spill a glass of water on a professionally sealed stone floor, the water should sit on top without leaving a mark on the stone. It should, of course, be cleaned up as soon as possible though!
How do I know if my floor is sealed?
A simple test is to release a couple of drops of water onto an inconspicuous area of the tile or stone. If, after a couple of minutes, you begin to notice a darkening of the surface, it’s time to get it resealed. If the droplets leave no mark, it’s likely your floor is already sealed and the seal is holding well. If you’re not sure, consider asking a professional to take a look, a little maintenance won’t cost the earth and could save you a small fortune in the long run.
How often should I have my floor sealed?
How often the floor should be sealed really depends on a number of things. An office floor, used by hundreds of people a day, will need resealing far more often than a kitchen used by one person a few times a week. Bathrooms and areas that have to survive heavier wear and tear are also going to need more frequent attention. Another variable is the type of material the floor is made from, Limestone and similar softer rocks generally need the most comprehensive protection.
We’d certainly recommend a professional seal at least once a year, or every 6-8 months for surfaces that have to withstand large amounts of use. Whilst we always encourage customers to have their floor sealed however, we don’t generally advise people to attempt the work themselves.
The professional touch
To apply sealer properly, an experienced hand is crucial. At Tile & Stone Medic we’ve sealed hundreds of floors and have both the equipment and the knowledge to provide the best possible seal on all floors we work on. The most common technique is to apply several coats, each left to dry before the next is applied, at different angles. This reinforces the protection offered by the sealer and creates the strongest seal possible. We carry a range of sealer products and each can be used to create different effects, a high gloss or a flat matte finish for example. Some floor types support this better than others and not all sealers work well with specific materials, so have a chat with our technicians about the kind of finish you’d like on your floor and we’ll come up with a solution.
If you need some professional help keeping your tile or stone floor properly sealed and looking great then get in touch with the team at Tile & Stone Medic for our floor cleaning and restoration services including tile floor cleaning and restoration and stone floor cleaning and restoration. We offer our services nationwide and when we’re done we’ll leave you with some helpful tips on how you can get more from your beautiful natural floor.
