Porcelain Care & Maintenance

When using any type of product, we recommend you always follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosages and set times. First carry out tests on non-installed material or concealed areas of the installed surface before applying to the whole area.

Avoid the use of the following:

• Steel wool pads, scouring pads, or any items containing harsh aids such as metal.

• Ammonia; this will easily discolor grout.

• Cleansers that contain bleach and/or acid for cleaning and maintenance.

• Oil-based detergents, wax cleaners, or sealants.

• Cleaning agents that contain dye or color.

Porcelain tiles require minimal maintenance. They can generally be cleaned with clean water and/or a neutral pH cleaner. If using a detergent we recommend rinsing with clean water and wiping dry to prevent film formation.

Spilled liquids, especially those high in acid, may stain the tile if not removed promptly.

The same cleaning process will apply for more abrasive tiles or tile installed outdoors. Outdoor tiles may be harder to keep clean due to surfaces that have more friction.

If using a pressure washer, you must do so with extreme caution. Set the machine to the lowest setting and try it on a very small portion of the tile before proceeding with the rest. Make sure not to stay on one spot for long periods at a time as constant pressure may damage the surface.

1. Remove any coarse debris using a broom and/or vacuum cleaner.

2. Wet the floor with clean water in order to soak and protect the joints against any corrosive action the detergent being used may cause.

3. Clean using a suitable detergent, which can be applied by hand (with a clean cloth), or with a machine (a single-brush machine with medium, non-abrasive bristles or a high-pressure water cleaner).

4. Soak up the cleaning solution with a clean cloth or a suitable vacuum cleaner.

5. Thoroughly rinse surfaces with clean, warm water to neutralize the action of the detergent.

6. Remove any build-up by scraping it off.

7. If needed, clean the surface again using a diluted neutral detergent; then rinse using clean warm water and dry.

If an epoxy sealant has been used during the installation, any remaining residue on the tile’s surface must be removed before the grout has completely hardened. Remember to always carefully follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer of the product you are using.

The full technical specifications for any Happy Floors collection can be found in its brochure. For a full list of Happy Floors brochures visit our Brochures page.

Tile has a natural bow/bend to it, it is lower at the ends and higher in the middle.  When installed at a 50% this lippage can cause a shadow effect.

There is no standard size for grout joints.  According to the TCNA (Tile Council of North America), the grout width can vary depending upon the type of tile and how much variation there is in sizing from tile to tile.

A tile with a rectified edge has been machine cut. This mean all the tile’s edges are straight.

Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (“DCOF”) measures a tile’s slip resistance.

Porcelain Enamel Institute rating is the rating given to a tile based on its hardness on a scale of 1 to 5.  Group 1 being the softest, is suitable for areas where softer footwear is worn in light traffic areas. Group 5 being the hardest, is suitable for areas with heavy foot traffic, where abrasive dirt is present.