Care & Maintenance of Tile and Natural Stone (Sponsored)
Date: October 22, 2026
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm ET
Speaker: Rod Sigman, CTC, CCTS, CSMTT, MAPEI USA
Session Description:
Given the continued popularity and tremendous variety of options of both tile and natural stone, understanding these materials as it relates to the need and benefit of sealing and how to properly care for them has never been more important. Given the amount of time, energy and cost associated with choosing and installing these timeless and beautiful materials, knowing how to care for them is essential. While both tile and stone are low maintenance finishes, understanding if they will benefit from the use of a sealer before and or after grouting can play a critical role in achieving a problem-free installation. This presentation will cover the purpose and benefit of sealing including the different options available both in performance and aesthetics. A discussion about whether to pre-seal or use a grout release prior to grouting will also be covered. Finally, a brief discussion about the importance of establishing a proper maintenance program will be discussed.
- Identify what types of tile, natural stone and grout require sealing and why
- Understand the purpose and function of sealers for tile, stone and grout along with the different types
- Learn the elements of a proper maintenance program including the types of cleaners to use, not use and why.
Learning objectives include:
- Gain a basic understanding of natural stone and how their chemical composition affects their performance
- Analyze different types of natural stone sealers and cleaning products and what to expect from them.
- Determine the proper care & maintenance products to use for: flooring, countertop, exterior cladding, or shower applications.
- Identify common problems with porous materials.
