Mexican Tile Renew Project in Sarasota Fl Where Tile Floor Was Below Grade and the Tile was Covered in White Spots or Efflorescence.

Mexican Tile Renew Project in Sarasota Fl Where Tile Floor Was Below Grade and the Tile was Covered in White Spots or Efflorescence. Under certain circumstances, a white powder can form on unglazed terracotta type floor tiles. This is a natural phenomenon call efflorescence. It is due to soluble salts rising to the surface from the concrete slab. When they dry out on the surface, the remaining salts appear white and powdery.

Mexican Tile Renew Project in Sarasota Fl Where Tile Floor Was Below Grade and the Tile was Covered in White Spots or Efflorescence. Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit on surfaces of masonry, exterior Mexican tile, stucco or concrete. It is whitish in appear­ance, and is sometimes referred to as “whiskers”. 

Mexican Tile Renew Project in Sarasota Fl Where Tile Floor Was Below Grade and the Tile was Covered in White Spots or Efflorescence. Efflorescence has been a problem for many years, and is a topic of much controversy. The formation of these salt deposits are not mysteries. They are, for the most part, water-soluble salts that come from many possible sources to mar and detract from an other­wise beautiful and serviceable structure. First of all, there must be water present to dissolve and trans­port the salts, remove the source of water and your almost there.

Mexican Tile Restoration - Saltillo Tile Restoration Efflorescence, the white spots seen on Mexican tile, comes from the back of the tile not from the top of the tile. Efflorescence is a white crystalline deposit that is composed of salts, lime and/or other minerals, see example photo above. These deposits may become visible on many types of building surfaces such as concrete, stucco, grout, masonry, brick, natural stone, clay, ceramic tile, Mexican tile and even wood. These salts and minerals are water-soluble and generally come from the ground up or where cementitious or alkali substances exist (thin set motor used to set Mexican tile).

FOR SUCCESSFUL MEXICAN TILE RENEW PROJECTS ANY SOURCE OF WATER MIGRATING UP AND UNDER THE TILE MUST BE REMOVED. Efflorescence, the white spots, that formed along the exterior edge of the patio in photo above on left. Naturally, Saltillo tile is not terribly strong or hard. Although it is comparable to other natural stone tiles such as slate or granite it can chip and crack. 

 
As Saltillo tiles are fired at such low temperatures, they remain very porous and are therefore very susceptible to water damage. It is almost exclusively recommended these days that you seal Saltillo tiles to protect them from water, wear, and scratches, especially in exterior applications were Efflorescence can form and white spots accumulate.

Typically, Saltillo tiles should be sealed after they have been installed and are completely dried and clear of extra dirt and debris and annual upkeep is highly recommended for exterior applications.

 
Mexican Tile Renew Clean and Seal Fort Myers to Sarasota To St Pete Fl. CALL VEL AT 941-926-7444. email mexicantilerenew@aol.com
MEXICAN TILE RENEW: Clean Mexican-Saltillo Tile |Seal Mexican-Saltillo Tile |Restore Mexican Tile Sarasota Fl. Mexican Tile Renew For Over 22 Years (941) 926-7444., Sarasota, FL 34233 http://www.mexicantilerenew.com