Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 41Aug 13, 2009 8:11 pm Hi Craig. Sorry its been a while. The Rep came down from Sydney to look at my tiles and he said theres nothing wrong with them and they comply with the Australian standard. But I think it said on the paper work he gave me that only a certain percentage of haze should be noticable and when looking straight down shouldnt be able to see it. on mine I can. He then gave me a print out with stated the natural occurance of "haze", it stated that because they are so shiny the light bounces off differently and that causes the haze effect. I told him that when I bought the tiles the seller said they dont sell tiles with that on them and they have no trouble with their tiles and he said they should have made me aware of a haze could be apparant. and should have given me the leaflet. I said if I was given this I wouldnt have bought them, and neither would anyone else thats why the seller doesnt point it out The seller is now denying saying any such thing so at the moment I am undecided whether to go to consumer affairs, but I think the seller will give me the run around. They got narky with me and said I am welcome to take it further. I havnt tried nano scrub or some acid (not the hydrochloric one the other one) I dont know whether to try this. Will it take the sealent off too and would I have to reseal them after? It honestly looks like the haze is under a layer of smooth glass and I cant get to it The rep said that this is how they are made a layer of glass put on top Where can I get nanoscrub from can you buy it in country towns. I read somewhere on net to mix the acid with something else first then add a blob of nano scrub and mix it well and leave to stand for a while. Also I have noticed lots of hair line scratches on the tiles dont know what this is from any idea how to get them off? I tell you what, I want to sell the house as the tiles are driving me crazy (along with if I make a bit of money on it it would be worth it) most people dont notice what I see though maybe I am just too fusy Pour old DH I said he cant play pool as he leaves foot prints all around the table Next time I will listen to my heart and go with tried and tested normal ceramic tiles I still love the 600x600 ones though but definately not the shiny ones! Know where your going in life............... you may already be there Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 42Aug 14, 2009 7:54 am Hi Taffy Sorry to hear of your problem but it is the risk we take when it comes to polished porcelain the better quality ones are over $85 per sq metre. Years ago polished porcelain was very expensive but we never had these issues NOW they have decided to make cheaper porcelains which means cheaper quality in the make of the tile either being poor polishing or how much kaolin was used. The Australian tile council are fully aware of this and there is not much that anyone can do about it, the tile shops should tell all there customers the less you pay the more of the risk you take in its quality. I would let the tile shop know about this and tell everyone you know about there shady practices. Here is a tip for you tint your windows black or get dark screens this should help a bit but yes you have to live with it and remember I know you do not like them but the next buyer may not even notice it. Forget about nano scrub and acids there is nothing that can be done as it is in the tile. All the best. Craig Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 43Aug 14, 2009 9:56 am Hi Taffy What brand are they? I also import (direct) Spanish glass coated procelain tiles and there is no way I can get them even out of the factory - let alone transported for that price. Regards Charlie Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 44Aug 15, 2009 9:31 am Sorry just went to look and I have only got a few left and not got the box with the details on. They were about $65 a metre but we had discount as we got such a lot. Are all polished porcelain tiles the same do they have glass on top as I have never heard of this till the rep said? Also I think they may have been double baked whatever that means What I cant understand is it only shows up under certain fluro light, in the daylight when the sun shines on the they look fantastic. I scrubbed along the side of one tile cant remember with what maybe a scourer and vinigar and it looks like it has lifted as you can see a definate line from where I have rubbed up and down so any ideas if maybe something is happening. Thats why I am thinking it is either grout or wax or sealer got into the pores of the tile. Or I am totaly on the right track with this as would the glass on top stop that from happening? I think if it does come off it will be a hard and time consuming thing to get down on hands and knees to scrub each tile but I would work off a few kilos Think its just easier to sell the house Know where your going in life............... you may already be there Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 45Aug 15, 2009 11:28 pm Hi Taffy
I feel for you bigtime. Ours is a no-compromise forever home on our "perfect" 22 acres. We haven't hesitated to spend whatever was necessary to get the optimal result. But, our tiles are cheap, nasty Chinese polished porcelain. We didn't know this until after they were cleaned and sealed. They have "China haze" and severe polishing defects on every edge of every 600mm x 600mm tile. Discussions with the supplier are ongoing. They'd better be very accommodating or I have a few aces up my sleeve. But, if all else fails, we can live with it. Most people don't even notice cos the whole place otherwise is a bit "wow". I guess we're old enough to know nothing's perfect. If you built again, couldn't something else, totally unexpected, go wrong? We're in the same boat as you. We can live with it without letting it spoil the dream. Hope you can too.... Cheers zeke Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 46Aug 16, 2009 9:53 am Thanks Zeke Thats why I am wondering what my haze is as I have heard that china haze is usually around the edges. mine are all over mainly the middle and random, thats why I think its something on them. Also do you know how to get fine scratches off the tiles, have yours scratched? I thought they were meant to be harder wearing than normal tiles. Our old ceramic ones never scratched I wouldnt sell the house just because of the tiles, I am seriously thinking of selling it for other reasons and I would love to build again, I love building houses But the next one would definately be the last as there will be no more land on the golf course by the time I finish it and I want to stay on the golf course I we dont sell then I would be happy to stay here too, Ill get over the tiles so its doesnt matter which way we go. Know where your going in life............... you may already be there Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 47Aug 16, 2009 10:57 am Taffy, we have two distinct problems. The china haze is over the whole tile, more or less uniform, but perhaps LESS apparent at the edges. It is mostly seen when you look at the tiles from across the room in light coming into the room from a low level eg a glass sliding door. The other problem is defective polishing around the edges and this is mainly seen when looking down on the tiles lit by downlights. It looks like swirls or polish marks. NOTHING seems to be capable of scratching these tiles, so it's hard to see how anything could be used to buff out the polish marks. Assorted abrasive pastes and lots of elbow grease on a small area as an experiment produced no effect whatsoever. Cheers zeke Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 48Aug 16, 2009 12:07 pm zeke . NOTHING seems to be capable of scratching these tiles, so it's hard to see how anything could be used to buff out the polish marks. Assorted abrasive pastes and lots of elbow grease on a small area as an experiment produced no effect whatsoever. Cheers zeke How come I got all scratches on mine then it looks like they have been caused by grit or stuff dragged accross them. Just wondering are mine polished porcelain or what Your place sounds awesome I will have to check out your thread. Yep I dont think I will get anywere if I carry on the chase with the rep and supplier they will just give me the run around. Yes nothings perfect in this world and most prob if I build again there will be something else I not happy with. It is dissapointing though when you put so much time and money into something and and something like this happens. But life is too short and there are so many people in worse positions, somtimes you need to take a step back and look at the big picture Know where your going in life............... you may already be there Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 49Aug 16, 2009 4:43 pm Grout Perfect Polished Porcelain Porcelain tiles are made from a clay called Kaolin, with other additives put in by the manufacturer........ BUT When they are machined and made into POLISHED porcelain, or honed in some cases, Craig Wow great thread ! The porcelain tiles we picked are $30sqm, I have literally just chucked coke, oil etc on the sample, now lets see what happens. Fortunately we haven't placed the final order. To stop any argey bargey with the shop, do I just ask to see the "naturally polished porcelain and no machined polished" ?? Does this haze appear only in non nutarally polished ?? And one more if I may, am I reading correctly that textured ceramic is a better option in wet areas - ? Thanks all. * Are we there yet ? Demolition has come and gone ! yippeeee..hang on that was months ago !! come on Mr Builder, dig a hole at least Finaly ! Hole Dug ! well done darren 20/06/2010. Slab is down ! Framing is complete 20/10/2010 we are progressing like a snail on heat - excited and determined but very very slow Steveo Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 50Aug 17, 2009 7:21 am Taffy zeke . NOTHING seems to be capable of scratching these tiles, so it's hard to see how anything could be used to buff out the polish marks. Assorted abrasive pastes and lots of elbow grease on a small area as an experiment produced no effect whatsoever. Cheers zeke How come I got all scratches on mine then it looks like they have been caused by grit or stuff dragged accross them. Just wondering are mine polished porcelain or what Your place sounds awesome I will have to check out your thread. Yep I dont think I will get anywere if I carry on the chase with the rep and supplier they will just give me the run around. Yes nothings perfect in this world and most prob if I build again there will be something else I not happy with. It is dissapointing though when you put so much time and money into something and and something like this happens. But life is too short and there are so many people in worse positions, somtimes you need to take a step back and look at the big picture Taffy Have you tried Nano scrub yet if not go to a tile shop and buy 1 litre of nano scrub if it removes than hire a prof tile cleaner to remove the wax for you. craig Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 51Aug 17, 2009 10:29 am Hi Taffy With the tiles you have spare acan you let me know what is imprinted on the base. I have never had that problem with the Glass coated lines I bring in. I do make clients aware that any polished surface can scatch, and a polished surface always shows it more. With the major draw back being you cant recut/polish them like say a polished marble floor. The main idea behind glass coated lines are that the manufacturer can imitate marble or other natural stones to a higher degree, as each tile is a glazed porcelain biscuit with a coating of glass that is cut back and polished. Approx 2kg of glass silica per sqm. This gives a much higher shine than normal polished porcelian and is reduces any chance of staining - I always do the permanent marker test. They where developed for clients that wanted the real stones but without the headaches. Regards Charlie Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 52Aug 25, 2009 7:23 pm Zedman Hi Taffy With the tiles you have spare acan you let me know what is imprinted on the base. I have never had that problem with the Glass coated lines I bring in. I do make clients aware that any polished surface can scatch, and a polished surface always shows it more. With the major draw back being you cant recut/polish them like say a polished marble floor. The main idea behind glass coated lines are that the manufacturer can imitate marble or other natural stones to a higher degree, as each tile is a glazed porcelain biscuit with a coating of glass that is cut back and polished. Approx 2kg of glass silica per sqm. This gives a much higher shine than normal polished porcelian and is reduces any chance of staining - I always do the permanent marker test. They where developed for clients that wanted the real stones but without the headaches. Regards Charlie Hi Charlie, Sorry for the delay but I been working hard On the back of the tiles it says XF1234 I did not realise there was different types of polished porcelain tiles. only that you could get matt or shiny finish. They didnt tell me this had glass on top of them. Know where your going in life............... you may already be there Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 53Aug 26, 2009 11:25 pm Hi Grout Perfect, I have three questions for you if you dont mind. 1. Do you have to polish porcelain tiles? 2. Do you have to seal porcelain tiles? 3. Should you seal the grout? Thanks Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 54Aug 27, 2009 6:55 am [quote="buildingwithhamra"]Hi Grout Perfect, I have three questions for you if you dont mind. 1. Do you have to polish porcelain tiles? No polished porcelain can not be polished only buffed and cleaned. 2. Do you have to seal porcelain tiles? No some say they do but it really does not help at all waist of money. 3. Should you seal the grout? Yes but not clear sealers they do not work go with a topical coat like grout colour sealing. Craig Grout Perfect Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 55Aug 27, 2009 4:28 pm Grout Perfect buildingwithhamra Hi Grout Perfect, I have three questions for you if you dont mind. 1. Do you have to polish porcelain tiles? No polished porcelain can not be polished only buffed and cleaned. 2. Do you have to seal porcelain tiles? No some say they do but it really does not help at all waist of money. 3. Should you seal the grout? Yes but not clear sealers they do not work go with a topical coat like grout colour sealing. Craig Grout Perfect Can't say I necessarily agree with Craig's replies to points 2 & 3. Point 3. I DO agree that colour-sealing is by far the best grout sealer, with much better sealing quailties than any clear sealer (as I have often said). However, good quality clear sealers can and DO provide much better performance and soil/stain resistance than non-sealed grout. There may be limitations to its performance depending on a number of variables. And its not reasonable to expect a cheap sealer from Bunnings to perform as well as a premium product correctly applied. This is where much of the problem arises.... people buy a can of 'grout sealer' apply it, and naively think it should now act like a magic barrier. Its a matter of understanding the performance limitations of any product that is used. Point 2. Craig's absolute "waste of money" statement can be misleading. Polished porcelain tiles are usually somewhat porous and CAN stain. There are real benefits of having a quality solvent based penetrating sealer applied after they are laid. But it depends upon the tile, as there are many different types of porcelain tiles. Ash. Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 56Aug 27, 2009 4:42 pm Taffy! So sorry to read you are having problems with your tiles, they look spectacular, the haze isn't visible in the photos. Poor dear, I hope you don't go insane over it but almost sure you will. Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 57Aug 27, 2009 8:52 pm SuH Taffy! So sorry to read you are having problems with your tiles, they look spectacular, the haze isn't visible in the photos. Poor dear, I hope you don't go insane over it but almost sure you will. Thanks SuH I am going insane I still love my tiles if I can find a way to get the stuff off it would be great. I love the smooth silky feel of them and the colour is awsome in certain light they look fantastic I love them in the hallway bathroom laundry and ensuite as you cant see the haze its only in the large living areas when certain light hits them it is noticable. I have been seriously thinking of selling the house because of them which is a pity, but it wouldnt matter really as as long as we dont loose money on it I can build again and next time go with tried and tested ceramic or maybe the dull finish porcelain. I love the rectrified straight edge and 600x600 size and would like these again. Its still early days yet and I just started a new job so I havnt had time to see which local suppliers sell the nano stuff. The thing is now I am total about what tiles I actually have! as I had never heard of glass topped porcelain tiles before and the seller didnt tell me they were this, they just said they were polished porcelain tiles. So now I have notice fine scratches on the surface, which I presume is the glass getting scratched. So I dont know if theres anyway of fixing this. Maybe some car cut and polish Ah well s.... happens, I'm sure this isnt the worse thing that can happen, If I build again I could have the perfect house and neighbours from hell!. so maybe its best the devil you know Know where your going in life............... you may already be there Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 58Aug 28, 2009 11:14 pm Quote: Point 3. I DO agree that colour-sealing is by far the best grout sealer, with much better sealing quailties than any clear sealer (as I have often said). Can you please explain further on what color-sealing is? Where would I get it - perhaps a name pls?- we are having new tiles laid and I definitely want to seal the grout. Grout will be light color on walls and dark for the floors. Can I apply after the tiler finishes grouting or should he do it? Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 59Aug 28, 2009 11:41 pm Hi Supasquirrel, Sure, most clear grout sealers on the market are penetrating sealers, designed to go into the grout and fill up much of the porosity of the grout. They make little to no change to the appearance of the grout, and act mostly beneath the surface. Grout colour sealers work differently. They have a colour to them (like a paint) and are designed to be applied to the grout. They have excellent adhesion to the grout, and form a thin coloured surface layer which seals the grout, preventing soil and stains from penetrating the grout. Grout colourant comes in many colours, and can really transform the whole look of floors. So not only does it offer a better than new look, but it is easy care because the grout is no longer porous. To my knowledge, the main grout colour seal products in use in Australia are Aquamix grout colourant, and Grout Perfect, both very good products. I have seen cheap colourants at Bunnings, but I wouldn't expect much from them. Although you can buy it and DIY, I recommend having it professionally applied for best results. Ash. Re: Caution Porcelain Tiles 60Sep 02, 2009 1:28 pm Thanks Ash for the information. I will speak with the tiler before he grouts. Firstly the ableflex that has been installed needs (manufactures specification) a sealant cap over the top, preventing water draining down between the slab and the… 3 7776 Our house was completed 8 years ago. Builder did not leave any spare roof tiles behind. Just found out that one tile is cracked. Wanted to replace the tile but most… 0 2781 1 15753 |