How to Seal and Maintain Tiles

There are a few things to consider when choosing tiles for your next renovation project – size, finish, material – the list is seemingly endless. On consideration that often fails to cross the minds of the tile purchasing public however is whether the tiles opted for require sealing.

Knowing which types of tiles need to be protected with sealing post-installation can often be confusing, and even when you’ve determined if sealing is needed or not, what do you seal them with? Well, fear not intrepid DIYers as we’ve created this handy guide that answers a lot of common questions about sealing tiles (and even recommends some top-notch sealing products too).

Which Types of Tile Require Sealing? 

  • Polished porcelain
  • Quartz
  • Natural stone (including polished and unpolished marbles, travertine, granite, quarry, slate)
  • Cracked glaze
  • Cementitious grout

What Do I Use To Seal Polished Porcelain?

Fila MP90 Polished Porcelain & Stone Sealer is the best bet for sealing polished marble, granite, and porcelain stoneware. This excellent multi-purpose solution is easy to apply and provides water repellent qualities and oil resistance. Fila MP90 can also be used on polished natural stone and cracked glaze tiles and can seal grout joints to, making them more resistant to dirt and staining. This product does not require diluting and should be applied directly to the tiles using a soft-bristled brush immediate after the tiles have been installed. If you’re laying limestone tiles however, these should be treated with the sealer before installing. Fila MP90 does not alter the natural colour of tiles/stone and can be used outside too. On average, your tiles will need to be resealed every 5-7 years.

What Do I Use To Seal Quartz Tiles?

It’s……Fila MP90 again.

(apologies to Coleen Rooney)

 

What Do I Use To Seal Natural Stone?

Natural stone tiles and slabs are often porous, meaning that they’re more susceptible to staining and water absorption. As such, it’s essential to seal your natural stone straight away after installation to prevent any damage. We recommend Fila StonePlus Protective Enhancer for Natural Stone – an incredibly effective solution that protects and enhances the original colour of polished, honed, rough and tumbled natural stone. Fila StonePlus can be used in both interior and exterior surfaces and is even suitable for those surfaces that come into direct contact with food (such as tiled kitchen worktops). Simply apply direct to your tiles using a soft brush or sponge – there’s no need to dilute the solution as it’s ready to use straight from the tin! When applying, it’s advisable to use a cloth to remove residue as you go along. Please be aware however that applying Fila StonePlus darkens tiles and enhances patterns and is not reversible. Once treated, stone cannot be returned to its original state!

What Should I Use To Seal Natural Stone Tiles Without Darkening Them?

Treating with Fila W68 Stain-Proofing Protective Agent For Terracotta and Natural Stone will offer the same protections as Fila StonePlus Protective Enhancer for Natural Stone but will not darken tiles or bring out the natural colours in any way. This product is mainly used on unpolished natural stone too as it seals and protects porous materials (i.e. rough-finish natural stone, terracotta and cement) from oily dirt. Protecting tiles with Fila W68 drastically reduces absorption of the surface without altering their appearance and can be used in both internal and external settings. It’s incredibly easy to use – no dilution is required and you can apply evenly direct to your unpolished natural stone tiles using a paintbrush or fleece pad. Two coats are needed, the second applied 4 hours after the first.

What Should I Use To Seal Cracked Glaze Tiles?

Cracked glaze (sometimes called Crackle tiles) are produced in a way that the glaze continues to crack after the tiles have been manufactured so as to produce a weathered, worn look on the surface of the tile. As these crack are literally cracks in the surface glaze of the the tiles, this means that they’re sensitive to water ingress and staining and therefore must be sealed. We would recommend using Fila MP90 in the first instance to seal the tiles, especially if they’re going to be installed in areas exposed to direct water such as splashbacks.

What Should I Use To Seal Cementatious Grout?

Grout can often bear the brunt of grime and dirt build-up over the course of the life of a tile installation, especially if it happens to be white grout. Cementatious grout is porous (although not to a degree that will allow water damage) and as such, is susceptible to stain absorption. We recommend sealing grout where applicable with Fila MP90 and adding a second line of defence with Fila Fugaproof Tile Joint Protection. This easy to apply spray permeates through the grout itself and prevents absorption of stains and makes dirt removal easier. It can be used with both ceramic and porcelain tiles and doesn’t alter the colour of the grout once dried. One bottle averages around 50sqm coverage and you will need to reapply every 2 years depending on how much wear and tear the tiles are subjected to.

If you’re concerned about dilution ratios and which products to use as preparation for sealing, take a look at the table below:

Surface

Pre-Treatment

Initial Cleaning

Protection

Natural finish or colour enhancement

Daily Maintenance

Special Maintenance

(stain remover/deep cleaning etc.)

Ceramic Tile

N/A

Fila Deterdek. Diluted 1:5. Covers 40 m²

Fugaproof

Fila Cleaner – diluted 1:200. Covers 1500 m²

PS87. Diluted 1:5. Covers 25 m²

Polished Porcelain

N/A

Fila Deterdek. Diluted 1:5. Covers 40 m²

MP90 – Covers 40 m²

Fila Cleaner – diluted 1:200. Covers 1500 m²

PS87. Diluted 1:5. Covers 25 m²

Unpolished Porcelain

N/A

Fila Deterdek. Diluted 1:5. Covers 40 m²

Fugaproof

Fila Cleaner – diluted 1:200. Covers 1500 m²

PS87. Diluted 1:5. Covers 25 m²

Polished Granite

N/A

Fila Cleaner. Diluted 1:30. Covers 50 m²

MP90 – Covers 30 m²

Fila Cleaner – diluted 1:200. Covers 1500 m²

**PS87. Diluted 1:10 or 1:20. Care to be taken with dilution

Unpolished Granite

N/A

Fila Deterdek. Diluted 1:10. Covers 35 m²

MP90 – Covers 10 m²

Stoneplus – Covers approx. 30m² per coat.

Fila Cleaner – diluted 1:200. Covers 1500 m²

PS87. Diluted 1:5. Covers 25 m²

Polished Travertine & Marble

N/A

Fila Cleaner. Diluted 1:30. Covers 50 m²

MP90 – Covers 40 m²

Fila Cleaner – diluted 1:200. Covers 1500 m²

**PS87. Diluted 1:10 or 1:20. Care to be taken with dilution

Unpolished Travertine & Tumbled Marble

N/A

Fila Deterdek. Diluted 1:10. Covers 35 m²

Fila W68 – covers 20m² per coat.

Stoneplus – Covers approx. 20/30m² per coat.

Fila Cleaner – diluted 1:200. Covers 1500 m²

PS87. Diluted 1:5. Covers 25 m²

Polished Limestone (including Jerusalem Stone)

Fila W68

Fila Cleaner. Diluted 1:30. Covers 50 m²

Fila W68 – covers 10m² per coat.

Fila Cleaner – diluted 1:200. Covers 1500 m²

**PS87. Diluted 1:10 or 1:20. Care to be taken with dilution

Unpolished Limestone (including Jerusalem Stone)

Fila W68

Fila Deterdek. Diluted 1:10. Covers 35 m²

Fila W68 – covers 10m² per coat.

Fila Cleaner – diluted 1:200. Covers 1500 m²

PS87. Diluted 1:5. Covers 25 m²

Slate

N/A

Fila Cleaner. Diluted 1:30. Covers 50 m² or

PS87. Diluted 1:5. Covers 30m²

Fila W68 – 1L covers 20m² per coat.

Fila Cleaner – diluted 1:200. Covers 1500 m²

PS87. Diluted 1:5. Covers 25 m²

Sandstone

Fila W68

Fila Deterdek. Diluted 1:10. Covers 35 m²

Fila W68 – covers 10m² per coat.

Fila Cleaner – diluted 1:200. Covers 1500 m²

PS87. Diluted 1:5. Covers 25 m²

** Take care when using this product on a natural polished surface as it is an alkaline product and if used when diluted incorrectly it could damage the polished finish.

Hopefully that has demystified the subject of tile sealing for you a little, but if you’re still confused or just want some further advice, don’t hesitate to give our friendly customer services team a call on 01782 223822 or contact us using the live chat function on our website.

You might also enjoy these posts on the Tile Mountain blog…

Spring Clean: How To Clean Tiles Correctly

Mapei Grout Quick Guide

How To Regrout Tiles