Q. How do you clean ceramic tile?
A. Wipe the tile with a damp sponge mop using a small amount of
    soapless detergent in warm water, or one of many specialty cleaners for tile.

Q. Why are soaps not recommended?
A. They leave a film that dulls the surface and promotes mildew.

Q. Why are steel wool type pads not recommended?
A. Because any loose particles of steel left on the grout will cause rust
    stains. Use scrotch brite pads for tough dirt.

Q. Why isn’t an acid cleaner recommended?
A. It could affect the colour of the grout, or damage the surface polish
    of marble.

Q. Should vinegar and water be used?
A. No. Vinegar is an acid and, if not diluted correctly, could damage grout.

Q. What is the most important step in maintaining a glazed tile?
A. To keep the floor free of sand or any other gritty material that may act
    as an abrasive and wear down the surface.

Q. What are the two basic types of ceramic tile?
A. Glazed and unglazed.

Q. What is an unglazed tile?
A. A hardened piece of clay.

Q. What is a glazed tile?
A. A glazed tile is the same as an unglazed tile, except that a protective
    coating is applied to its surface.

Q. What determines the durability of a tile?
A. The hardness of the glaze and the density of the clay (Bisque).

Q. Are unglazed tiles as stain-resistant as glazed tiles?
A. No. While some very dense un-glazed tiles are highly stain resistant,
   a glazed tile is practically stain-proof.

Q. Are shade variations more common in glazed or unglazed tiles?
A. Both. Most consumers prefer shade, and even colour variations in
    unglazed or glazed tiles. It adds character to the installation.

Q. What is a glaze?
A. It’s a liquid glass coating that is sprayed or poured on the tile’s surface
    and hardened in an oven.

Q. What makes up the colour of the glaze?
A. A mixture of various minerals such as zinc, copper, mercury, cobalt, and
   many, many others.

Q. Does the temperature of the oven affect the hardness of the glaze?
A. Yes. The higher the temperature, the harder the glaze.

Q. Does the density of the clay, in an unglazed tile, affect its stain resistance?
A. Yes. If the clay is not dense enough, it will absorb stains.

Q. How is the density of a tile measured?
A. By how much water it absorbs.

Q. Why can’t wall tiles be installed in floors?
A. They are not strong enough to take foot traffic. Their glaze is too
    soft and their clay body too porous.

Q. Does the gloss level affect slip resistance?
A. Yes. High gloss products are usually more slippery than low gloss ones.

Q. How long will a glazed tile last?
A. If the right product is selected for the area, and if it’s maintained properly,
   the tile could last the lifetime of the home.

Q. Can floor tiles be used on walls and counter tops?
A. Yes, providing the structure is strong enough to support the weight.

Q. Are ceramic tiles fire resistant?
A. Yes. They are totally fireproof.

Q. Are ceramic tiles hygienic?
A. Yes. A glazed tile does not retain liquids, fumes, odors, or germs.

Q. What is the most important feature to consider when selecting a tile?
A. Its durability. Is it tough enough to withstand the abuse it’s going to
    be subjected to?

Q. What are porcelain tiles?
A. They are either glazed or unglazed tiles that are made up of a very fine
    mixture of clays, similar to those found in Chinaware. Their most out standing
    feature is their density. They are impervious tiles that absorb from zero to     one half of one percent moisture, making them as tough as granite and frost     proof.

Q. Can tile be installed over existing ceramic tile?
A. Yes, providing the existing tile is firmly adhered, and squeaky clean,
    and proper setting materials are used.

Q. Under what conditions can tile be installed directly over a vinyl Sub floor?
A. When it’s firmly adhered, mesh and cement installation can proceed
    over top.

Q. What effect will a large tile have in a small room?
A. It will visually expand a small room.

Q. What aesthetic effect will grout, whose colour closely matches the
    tile, have on the area?
A. It will give the area a unified or blanket look as it will blend into the tile.

Q. What is the average size of a floor joint?
A. 1/4“

Q. Will grouts stain?
A. Yes, even though grouts are very dense, they are made of cement, and
    cement is absorptive.

Q. What can be done to cut down on potential staining?
A. One way is to select a darker colour, but this is not always desirable.
    The other way is to use a grout protectant, which is a sealer that is
    applied to the grout two weeks after the installation.

Q. What does a grout protectant do?
A. It fills up the open air cells of the grout, making it less porous and less
    apt to stain.

Q. How can grout haze, or a thin film of grout residue, be removed from tile?
A. Light grout haze can be removed by gleaning the tile with an nylon
    scrub pad and water. Heavier grout residue may need the addition of an
    acid such as HG Extra.