One of the highlights of the Cement tiles is its durability. In this article we give details about each case, depending on whether it is inside or outside the home.

Durability of indoor hydraulic tiles

The durability of this type of material has always been one of the main characteristics. However, there are nuances between indoor and outdoor. An indoor tile can quietly last for a long time. life-long. In fact, you can still find hydraulic floors in historic buildings in Barcelona with more than 100 years that are still in place.

In any case, there are factors that may cause this issue to vary. For example, if certain pigments and raw materials of lower quality are used, they will wear out more quickly.

While it is true that the Cement tiles can last tode to a life, This is only the case if it is manufactured with noble materials and a very important element is the correct setting of the tiles.

Durability of outdoor hydraulic tiles

An outdoor hydraulic tile is facing a limitation obvious, the climatological elements. With some frequency, it will suffer from the rain wear and tearthe sunthe hail or other erosive agents. This means that outdoor hydraulic tiles suffer more wear and tear than indoor tiles.

One of the main fears that arises when laying a hydraulic tile outdoors is the loss of colour or wear and tear caused by the sun. This wear will depend to a greater extent on the colour, for example, blues and greens lose more colour than reds.

This wear will mainly be influenced by the quality of the pigments and logically by the quality of the hydraulic tile. The higher the quality of the products, the less colour wear on the exterior. Even so, the duration of outdoor hydraulic tiles is less than indoor ones, and will depend to a large extent on where they are laid and the climate in the area.

The service life of a hydraulic tile is long but will depend on a number of factors.

How the durability of a hydraulic tile is extended or shortened

There are a number of factors that will determine whether or not lengthens or shortens the service life of a hydraulic tile. Here are some elements you can consider to get the most out of each tile.

First of all, as we have said, a good use of the hydraulic tiles will extend their useful life. It is a matter of using suitable products for daily cleaning. see our maintenance products and, above all, to have carried out a good waterproofing of the material with our product Torra sealer after laying, this will ensure the good condition of the hydraulic tile for a longer period of time.

A good waterproofing will prevent stains from soaking in, make the hydraulic tile easier to clean and keep the floor looking like new for many years.

Another particular case is the technical restoration carried out by professionals in the sector. This prolongs the useful life of the hydraulic mosaic. Diamond micro-polishing removes any impurities that may have remained over the years and restores the shine to our hydraulic floors.

Finally, the daily cleaning will also influence the conservation for longer than one hydraulic tile, here we recommend using our Torra maintenance product.. This factor is tangential but not unimportant.

What is the best alternative?

On the basis of the information available to us, we have to say that depends on a case-by-case basis. Tiles of this type have never ceased to be manufactured, but the uses have been different.

Even so, a general principle we can apply is that, the less exposed it is, the longer it will last, although if you want to install it outdoors it is also possible, and there are options in terms of waterproofing, durability to cold, heat and sliding.

Problems with scratches, loss of gloss, wear and tear, salt stains, moisture and mildew. To solve these and other maintenance problems, it is advisable to apply appropriate treatments every few years (in addition to conventional cleaning). Hydraulic floors are very attractive and eye-catching if they are kept in good condition.

Antique hydraulic tiles

With the passing of time, old hydraulic tiles have lost their shine and it is advisable to give them a treatment in order to renew their natural beauty and give them protection with a new sealing on their pieces.

This treatment consists of stripping the entire hydraulic floor using diamond crowns specifically for antique hydraulic mosaic, then we will apply a sealant to protect the pieces from future stains and we will finish with a matte or glossy finish, depending on the client's choice.

New hydraulic tiles

We recommend this treatment for all new hydraulic floors of recent installation, it is very important above all to be able to apply it in professional areas (restaurants, bars, shops, public spaces, etc.) this treatment unlike an old hydraulic tile consists of the application of several “diamond packs” much finer with different granometries of abrasion, finally we will carry out the sealing of the material all this executed by a professional specialized in the matter, the final finish of the hydraulic tiles will be matte or gloss to final choice of the client.

Information about the different treatments of our hydraulic tiles.

Fill in the following form and we will try to give you the best solution and inform you of the different treatments we can carry out on both new hydraulic floors and old hydraulic tiles.

3 Tips on how to care for hydraulic mosaic floors

The hydraulic mosaic floors are made of one of the most resistant materials. In addition to this, it is undoubtedly the most versatile material when it comes to designing and organising a space. The advantages of hydraulic mosaic floors are many, but among them we must undoubtedly highlight its durability. That is why, despite the resistance of hydraulic mosaic floors, From Mosaics Torra we would like to offer you some advice on how to look after them. With the intention that you will be able to enjoy them for years to come, we have prepared this article. Pay attention to these tips on how to care for hydraulic mosaic tile floors

How to care for hydraulic mosaic floors?

1.- Thorough cleaning

If you want to give your hydraulic mosaic floors a thorough cleaning, we strongly advise against using aggressive products. These can contribute to the deterioration of a material that is otherwise quite easy to clean. It should be said that we will first start by talking about how to do a thorough cleaning of hydraulic mosaic floors. Subsequently, We will discuss what a thorough cleaning of the material should look like.

The ideal way to carry out a thorough cleaning consists of use a floor cleaning machine (nowadays we can find in the market a great variety of devices that allow us to install different chamois). With a chamois or fibre disc and natural, PH-neutral soap. we will be able to carry out our cleaning. Several passes are not necessary. Hydraulic mosaic tile floors are fairly easy to clean and do not tend to hold dirt. The truth is that, after cleaning all the dirt that has surfaced with a simple mop, the appearance will be as it was on the first day. The Torra Floor Cliner is undoubtedly, the most recommended product for this task.

2.- Waterproofing and sealing

Especially after having installed hydraulic floors this step is essential along with the first step of thorough cleaning.. The hydraulic floor is a highly porous floor. This is because it is not fired like ceramic, but is made by pressing the different materials of which it is composed. The fact that this process is done with a hydraulic press is what gives it its name.

In order to eliminate such porosity and prevent dirt or various substances from penetrating into the soil and irremediably stain it, we must carry out the sealing process. At Mosaics Torra we have specific products to carry out this task. Otherwise, it is simple, as long as you follow the instructions given on the packaging. For this task we can count on the Torra Sealer to seal the tile or the Torra Brite Sealer, which achieves a much more colourful finish by enhancing the characteristics of the mosaic.

3.- Day-to-day cleanliness

In the case of hydraulic mosaic floors, regular cleaning is ideal. In this way, especially at the beginning, we can prevent dirt from penetrating. This goes against the characteristics of the floor itself, as it detracts from its colour and aesthetics. So, from Mosaics Torra we also want to give you tips for daily cleaning and especially in our product the Torra maintenance which is the ideal product for the daily cleaning of our tiled floors. Here are some ideas of how it can fill any space with personality.

For more difficult cleaning we can use the Torra floor cleaner.

First of all we must consider what kind of stain is on the floor. With the Torra Floor Cleaner we can use this product for more extensive cleaning of hydraulic tiles. The easiest way is to follow the instructions on the packaging. However, as a general guideline, we will say that to apply this product you should:

Dilute approximately 1 part product to 5 parts water. Apply it to the floor with a mop. Let it act for a few minutes and then you can start applying the product. After that, let it dry.

It is especially important that no footprints are left on the ground during this time.. The best material for cleaning hydraulic mosaic floors is the mop. It is gentle on them and dries quickly.

Trust your manufacturer

At Mosaics Torra we want to help you even after the installation of the hydraulic floor tiles. In this sense, we can offer you a wide range of products suitable for taking care of your hydraulic mosaic floors. It is essential that you trust only professionals who can help you get the most out of such a special product. As we have already mentioned, you will find everything you need to meet your expectations in our catalogue. We hope these tips for the care of hydraulic mosaic floors have helped you.

Conclusion

If you are looking for hydraulic tiles for your home or business premises, the best thing to do is to have a specialised manufacturer. At Mosaics Torra we have been pioneers in recovering this material, giving it a modern look. For this reason, we have a catalogue of more than 300 references for you to choose from. Another aspect to highlight is our know-how, because we manufacture and sell directly.

Some public institutions have needed our services to restore buildings. For example, the Palau de la Música or Park Güell, with perfect reproductions of the original hydraulic mosaics. We know how to adapt to the client's needs by preparing period tiles. If you want to recover an old building or give a different touch to your home or business, this is an interesting option. You should know that we can send your hydraulic tile if you wish to anywhere in Spain. This way, you will not have to give up a different decorative style.

We encourage you to get to know us better in order to choose from among the various options we have. We are sure you will find what you are looking for and you will be satisfied because we have variety and quality.