Terracotta is a ceramic material that has been used for construction and decorative arts since ancient times in many cultures around the world. Terracotta, which literally means "baked earth" is made from natural clay which gives its characteristic reddish-brown colour. Glazing provides extra durability or can provide extra colour, ranging from natural earth tones such as grey and brownish yellow to various shades of red. Terracotta is waterproof when glazed and a very sturdy material.

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Two main sealing options exist for terracotta tiles

• Deep Penetrating Impregnating Sealer

(Transparent Finish/Colour Enhancing Finish)

• Topical Sealer

(Gloss/Satin/Matte Finish)



Tile Cleaners Sydney® recommend penetrating sealers for terracotta whenever possible. Penetrating sealers are designed to maintain the natural look and feel of your terracotta. Deep penetrating impregnating sealers use nano-technology to protect your terracotta and grout from water and oil based stains by chemically reacting with the surface pores to form a long lasting breathable protective barrier.

An impregnating sealer protects your terracotta surface and grout from absorbing stains and results in cleaning and maintenance becoming much easier. Australia's Deepshield® range of impregnating water based sealers offer long term benefits, protecting for up to 15 years depending on the product type.

An impregnating transparent sealer enters the pores of your stone and once cured will not change the look of the tile or stone. A penetrating colour enhancing sealer is designed to enhance and enrich the look of terracotta tiles. Penetrating sealers however will not result in a shine or a gloss finish as they do not leave a surface coating. If you would like a shine on your terracotta you will need to to use a topical sealer.

Tile Cleaners Sydney® are experts at applying all types of sealer and will ensure your terracotta looks its absolute best. Tile Cleaners Sydney® experienced technicians can apply a topical sealer when especially required to create a high gloss, satin sheen or matte finish to your surfaces. Topical sealer is also helpful in situations where the old solvent based sealer can not be completely removed or when required to hide certain types of damage. Topical sealer's have a life expectancy of 3-5 years.

You can easily test how porous your terracotta is by applying a small amount of water to the surface and watching how it is absorbed. You can then see how any type of water based stain can be absorbed by the terracotta tile surface and grout.

Australian made impregnating Deepshield™ forms a bond with your terracotta that is stronger than any conventional mechanical or hydrogen bonding film forming sealers



Does your service include stripping solvent sealers?

Tile Cleaners Sydney® standard service does not include stripping solvent coatings and we do not recommend stripping solvent sealers unless it is absolutely necessary. When no other option is available this service is provided, however due to the high cost of products and time required only at an additional cost.

Can I use a penetrating sealer if my terracotta has a solvent coating?

The short answer is no, as the remaining coating will prevent the penetrating sealer from penetrating into the terracotta surface pores. You can only use a penetrating sealer once the previously applied solvent coating has been fully removed, however, this can be extremely costly. Alternatively, it is recommended to reapply a topical sealer once the surface has been treated using a solvent-free stripper to thin out the old coating, preparing the terracotta for a fresh seal. This will help avoid the costs and inconvenience caused by stripping solvent sealer.

Save yourself time, effort and money and let our team of professionals restore your terracotta to its best possible condition

Give us a call today on 02 9386 5522, our friendly and knowledgeable customer service can assist you with all your questions and bookings

We cover all Sydney suburbs

also depend on whether they are indoors or outdoors as most sealer's will not last long outside due to being designed for internal use. If your terracotta is outdoors, it is important to use a water based sealer that is specifically designed for outdoor terracotta.

There are two types of impregnating clear sealer, water based sealer & solvent based. In the past solvent based sealers were more widely used as they used to absorb deeper into the terracotta and grout and would also last longer. Today however, thanks to new technological advancements, it is recommended only to use water based sealer's, that last much longer and cause less potential damage to health and property.

Solvent based products are more difficult to apply and can create major problems when applied incorrectly as they are very hard to remove. Tile Cleaners Sydney® recommend our clients apply a long lasting water based sealer such as a quality product from Australia's Deepshield® range of sealer's to their terracotta tiles and grout. Topical sealer's (glossy plastic coating over the top of the terracotta) are still used on terracotta, but these older style sealer's can trap moisture in the stone and make the surface slippery when wet. When a topical sealer wears in higher traffic areas, the entire surface usually needs to be stripped and re-sealed.

It is very important to ensure that tiles achieve their cleanest possible condition prior to being sealed. This will protect the appearance of the tile, and importantly ensure that there won't be any dirt, stains or other debris caught under the layer of sealant.

To provide the best possible protection from oil and water-based stains; to maintain the look and slip resistance of your terracotta and to prevent damaging moisture from being trapped within the stone, it is recommended to seal your terracotta with a high quality, transparent, fully breathable impregnating sealer.

We provide specialised stripping, cleaning & sealing as well as all restoration solutions for Terracotta tiles

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• Solvent stripping is only required in extreme cases, for example when efflorescence or dirt beneath the old solvent sealer needs to be removed.
• The toxic fumes from solvents can be dangerous to health and property, and the area must be vacated for 48 hours.
• Solvents damage skirting boards, doors, paint and adjacent areas.
• A signed “Liability Waiver” is required when any solvent stripping is carried out.

To provide the best possible protection from oil and water-based stains; to maintain the look and slip resistance of your terracotta and to prevent damaging moisture from being trapped within the stone, it is recommended to seal your terracotta with a high quality, invisible, fully breathable impregnating sealer

We cover all Sydney suburbs

• Q: What is floor stripping?
• Q: How do I know when my terracotta floors are ready for cleaning, stripping and resealing?
• Q: Is it safe to have terracotta tiles stripped and sealed?
• Q: How messy is your stripping process? Will you damage my walls or skirting boards?
• Q: Are your cleaning products toxic?
• Q: Why do I need to strip my terracotta floors?
• Q: What is a terracotta tiles strip and seal?
• Q: Which process can I expect when you arrive to reseal my terracotta floors?
• Q: How often should I seal my terracotta floors?
• Q: What happens if I do not seal my terracotta floors?
• Q: When is the best time to seal my terracotta floors and how do I know that mine need sealing now?
• Q: Will sealing my terracotta prevent efflorescence?
• Q: Efflorescence has built up on my terracotta tiles. Can you remove it?
• Q: What can I do to keep my terracotta tiles looking new?
• Q: How will you charge me for stripping and sealing my terracotta tiles?
• Q: How do I measure the size of the terracotta area?
• Q: Will you help me move my furniture?
• Q: What should I do to prepare for the terracotta cleaning?