Use and Care Manual

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DESIGN WITH CONFIDENCE
DALTILE.COM
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Many Daltile tile products require limited maintenance. Our glazed and unglazed tile,
under normal situations, can be cleaned using clear water with a tile cleaner. Always
follow up with a rinse of clean water. Regular maintenance is recommended to avoid
build-up of residue, dirt, grease, soap, detergents or other external contaminants. We
do not recommend “acid cleaning” our tile products. For all floor cleaning operations,
follow these basic procedures:
1. Sweep or vacuum surface
2. Mix water with tile or grout cleaner per manufacturer’s instructions and apply to surface
3. Allow solution to sit for three to five minutes
4. Agitate with sponge or mop
5. Mop up solution
6. Rinse mop and change cleaning solution at least every 500 square feet
7. Rinse thoroughly with clean water
8. Dry mop floor to remove moisture or pick up residue with a wet-vac
9. Wipe the floor dry
Coarse or abrasive tile surfaces need more frequent maintenance. Agitation should
be vigorous and water changed frequently. Proper cleaning of these types of tile is
necessary to maintain slip resistance. The presence of grease or water may create
slippery conditions. Be careful to avoid introduction of grease from dirty mops to your
floor surface while cleaning.
*Wax cleaners, oil-based detergents, and sealants may decrease the
slip resistance of ceramic tile. Sealants may be used on grout. Consult
the manufacturer of the cleaner, detergent, or sealant for more
detailed information on the impact of their cleaning solution to your
tile product.
GLASS TILES
• For routine cleaning, use any non-abrasive cleaning compound recommended for
either glass or tile.
METAL SIGNATURES/URBAN METALS
• To clean, use a liquid non-abrasive household cleaner.
• DO NOT use scouring pads, steel wool, sandpaper or other abrasive products.
• Avoid cleaners containing ammonia, bleach, or abrasives.
• Always test in a small inconspicuous area when using a new cleaner to ensure
compatibility.
For more information on slip resistance, care and maintenance or technical data,
methods and measurements, see Daltile’s website.
INSTALLATION PRODUCTS
With a variety of forward-thinking product innovations at your disposal, even the most difficult tile installation is made simple. Ask your Daltile representative for information on
installation products you’ll need for your next project, including thin sets, grouts, adhesives, epoxies, water-proofing membranes, and concrete backer board.
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
• Water, oil, grease, etc. create slippery conditions. Floor applications with exposure to these conditions require extra caution in product selection.
• Latex modified thin-set recommended for all ColorBody™ and glazed porcelains.
• Strong random shading enhances the natural beauty of many Daltile products. To achieve optimal results of a product with Random Shading, tiles should be selected from multiple
cartons and shading arrangement planned prior to installation.
• For ColorBody
™
Porcelain tiles, special care should be taken when grouting with dark pigmented colors. A grout release is recommended to prevent finely powdered pigments
from lodging in the pores of the tile surface.
• Special preparation is needed when installing tiles 20" and larger. Please refer to www.daltile.com/LargeTiles for additional information.
• Any rectified series with rectangle sizes, should use a 3/16" grout joint when installed in a staggered brick-joint pattern. The overlap should not exceed 33%.
• Pre-grout sealing is recommended when installing all natural stone decorative accents. This prevents grout from staining the stone during the grouting process, and eases grout
clean-up. After installation, sealing of the stone will reduce porosity and increase stain resistance. Use a penetrating or surface coating type of sealer, depending on desired aesthetic.
• Cove Base and Floor Bullnose trim are intended to coordinate with floor field tile in the standard 90-degree installation position.