Maintaining Outdoor Ceramic Tile

Maintaining your outdoor ceramic tile can make the difference between having an eye-catching patio or an eye sore. Often, homeowners are confused about how to maintain their outdoor ceramic tile, but the process is similar to the process used to maintain indoor ceramic tile. The most important step to take is to keep the grout in good condition. By using some elbow grease and exercising a little patience, you can keep your outdoor ceramic tile in good condition so that your patio is always ready for entertaining and your walkway is always ready to welcome guests.

What You'll Need
5-Gallon bucket
Broom
Dish detergent
Water hose
Grout sealer
Pressure washer (optional)

Step 1:  Sweep Tile

Using the broom, sweep the tile. Make sure that you clear away any loose debris. The more debris you can clear away at this point, the easier it will be to clean the tile in the next step.

Step 2:  Clean Tile

If you are certain that the grout is undamaged and that the tiles are secure, the quickest and easiest way to clean your outdoor ceramic tile is to use a pressure washer. Operate the pressure washer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you do not have a pressure washer, use a water hose to fill the 5-gallon bucket halfway with water. Add a few squirts of liquid dish detergent while filling the bucket to make a cleaning solution. Set the bucket aside. Use the water hose to wet the tile thoroughly. Then, get the bucket and dip the broom into the cleaning solution. Use the broom in a sweeping motion to clean the grout between each tile. Give extra attention to any compacted debris between the tiles.  It may take some scrubbing to remove the compacted debris, but you must remove it completely. Continue to dip the broom into the cleaning solution and clean between the tiles until you have scrubbed the entire area. Use the broom to clean the surface of the tiles as well.

Step 3:  Rinse Tile

After cleaning the tile and grout, use the water hose to rinse the ceramic tile. Rinse several times until all residue has been removed.

Step 4:  Dry

Allow the tile to dry completely. On a hot day, drying may take only a few minutes. On cooler days, it may take a few hours.

Step 5: Seal Grout

Take the time to read carefully the manufacturer’s instructions for the grout sealer. Then, apply the sealer to the grout lines. Most grout sealers come in a bottle with a built-in application brush, so application should not be messy. Allow the first application to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and apply a second coat of the grout sealer. Allow it to dry.

By taking these steps at least once a year, you can maintain your outdoor ceramic tile so that it lasts for decades to come. Now that you have taken care of your outdoor ceramic tile, you can start planning your next home improvement project.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com