Popular in the very ornate Victorian and (more austere but still ornate by modern standards) Edwardian eras, and dating all the way back to Medieval times, graphic encaustic (or cement) tiles are enjoying a revival. Okay, it’s suddenly a HUGE trend.

Sealing the Tiles: All encaustic tiles are porous, therefore it is important to seal the tiles correctly to reduce the natural absorption and maintain the desired appearance.

Once your Encaustic tiles are properly sealed, they are easy to clean and do not stain as seen on the above photos.

Cement tiles are not difficult to maintain. Once they have been sealed correctly, the surface can be cleaned with products that are suitable for use on natural stone. Household cleaners such as Simple Green or specialty products like Miracle Tile & Stone Cleaner have shown good results.

The most common question is, “Can I use them in my shower or bath?” The answer is definitely, “Yes!” Cement tiles can also be used in wet areas such as the bathroom floor, shower floor, shower wall, steam room or sauna. However, do not confuse encaustic cement tile with encaustic tile.

Cement tiles are made of concrete and the color in the pattern comes from mineral pigments which are mixed and poured into a mold. The mold is removed and the gray cement is fills the rest of the tile body, then the tile is hydraulically pressed and the tile is cured for about three weeks.

Cement is a cheaper material when compared to Tile Adhesives. You are likely to spend more on skilled mason and material while tiling with cement. Whereas, MYK LATICRETE Tile Adhesives help you curb wastage on material and resources used to tile the floor & walls and leaves no mess.

There are some important things to know about this product. The cement tile is very different from either a porcelain/ceramic tile or a natural stone. The chemicals in the water will damage the surface of the tile and cause the installation to fail, crack and/or stain.

They’re Easy to Maintain Sealed concrete tile floors can be swept and cleaned easily – just like other tile floors. You can use a mild soap to mop the floor, but you should always dry mop over the surface to collect any standing moisture before it penetrates the tile.

Mix a thin paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, apply it to the grout, wait 10 minutes then scrub with a toothbrush, wiped clean with a damp cloth. Baking soda is mildly abrasive so it helps remove the dirt that is stuck in the porous grout surfaces without causing any damage.

Mix 1/2 cup baking soda to one gallon of water for a gentle cleaning solution. Add 1/8 cup of liquid dish detergent. Spray on patio surface, let sit for 30 minutes, then scrub and rinse. For heavily stained or mildewed patios, you may need a pressure washer.

Follow these steps to polish your cement tiles:

1. Use a fine (600 grit) sand screen disc to lightly sand the surface of the tiles.
2. Seal with either a good quality penetrating sealer.
3. Buff with a white pad.

Step 1: Soak the rag of soft cloth in vinegar for a few minutes. Step 2: In the next step, place the cloth over the stained area. Step 3: Allow the vinegar to weaken the cement stain. Leave the soaked cloth there for at least an hour.

One of the easiest ways to clean glass tiles to a sparkling shine is with equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on and leave it for approximately 10 minutes. To get rid of soap scum or stains caused by hard water, rub tiles with a soft cloth or brush, rinse with cold water, then wipe dry.

A mild acid like vinegar helps remove grout haze. Metal tools such as a dental pick or grout removal tools (available from hardware stores) can help you remove the grout between the tiles. Don’t let any of the grout end up in your plumbing.

If your tile is porcelain or ceramic, try a vinegar solution to remove grout haze. (With slate or stone, this is a no-no! Mix 1-part white vinegar to 4-parts water in a bucket or large spray bottle. Additional vinegar can be added for extra strength.

Like Muley mentioned, you’ll need to re-grout. Trying to grout over the deficient areas wil just result in flaking and chipping of the second layer. You should only have to do the areas where it’s not flush though. You don’t have to take it all out.

about three hours

24 hours