All clay floors are molded or shaped
from clay doug out of the ground then fired in an oven to harden and retain their
shape. Examples are Quarry Tile, Brick Pavers, Mexican Tile and Ceramic Tile.
Colors and density vary by the quality of the clay being used. In some instances,
like semi-glazed or glazed ceramic tile, a glossy glass like coating is fired onto the
surface. All clay floors, except semi-glazed or glazed are porous to varying degrees
and will absorb liquids. Therefore, will stain if not sealed. However, some
clay floors like quarry tiles are installed in kitchens, breweries, dairies, etc, because
they will absorb water and therefore not be slippery. ALL
SEALED FLOORS ARE SLIPPERY WHEN WET. Consequently you should never seal one of
these floors if it is installed where there will be a lot of water.
Semi glazed or glazed tile floors are totally non-porous so cannot
be sealed. No seal will adhere to the surface. Clay tiles are set in cement to
form the floor. Because the surface of a clay tile floor consists of both tile and
a cement matrix in the mortar joins, do not employ any procedure that would harm either
portion.
CAUTIONS:
- Avoid acids. Acids will attack the mortar
joints between the tile and in certain types, the actual tile itself, causing
pitting. In cases of extreme exposure complete failure of the mortar may occur,
resulting in the loosening of the tile.
- Avoid abrasives. Some tiles can be permanently
scratched by harsh abrasive cleaners and pads.
- Avoid crystalline cleansers, such as Trisodium
Phosphate - (T.S. P.). Crystals formed in the pores of the floor upon evaporation of
the cleaning solution exert a sufficient pressure to cause a spalling or chipping of the
surface.
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