KEEPING TILES SAFE OUTSIDE
One of the best things you can do to upgrade the outdoor areas at your place is to introduce some tiles, because apart from improving the look and value of your home, tiles can also provide a significant boost in function. However, if you are going to invest in outdoor tiles, it is vital that you have a way to keep them safe, and the following is a look at some of the many things you can do to help.
Protect them from the elements
One of the best ways to safeguard your tiles outdoors is by providing them with some protection from the elements, because Mother Nature can cause a significant amount of damage to your tiling if you let her. Rain can make your tiles slippery, hail can lead to all kinds of damage and the sun can cause tiles to fade, so unless you can afford to replace your tiles on a regular basis, make sure they are well protected.
Keep them clean
Cleanliness can play a big role in safety, especially when it comes to your outdoor tiles, so make sure you have a regular tile cleaning routine. Dirt or grime build up on an outdoor tile can quickly become a tripping or slipping hazard, so if you want to keep your tiles safe outdoors, keeping them clean should be one of your top priorities.
Conduct regular maintenance
Tiles are extremely resilient, however they can and do break every once in awhile, so if you want to keep yourself and your tiles safe it is important to conduct inspections of them on a regular basis. If you find any damage done to your tiles, have them fixed ASAP, because the longer the tiles are left unrepaired, the more chance there is of them contributing to a safety issue or incident. If you aren’t sure how to fix your tiles yourself, rather than risk doing a poor job, call in someone who knows what they are doing.
Be careful what you put on them
While it is true that tiles are extremely strong, if you want to keep them safe outdoors be careful what you are putting on top of them. Heavy objects can cause tiles to break, or your tiles can become scratched and damaged if you aren’t careful, so if you are hoping for your tiles to last a long time, carefully consider what loads you are expecting them to bear. If you are unsure as to how much weight your tiles can handle or what items may scratch or damage them, ask your local tiler or tile shop for advice.
Your tiles can make a huge difference to your outdoor areas, but only if you are able to keep them safe, so make sure you know what you are doing before you take the plunge and invest in new ones. The more research you do, the better chance you are of finding the perfect tiles to suit your place, so ask for advice, educate yourself, and make sure your outdoor tiles are safe.