QUESTION

Hello, We have just put down some saltillo tile already sealed. The problem is now that we have grouted and repeatedly cleaned the tiles with water they still have a slight milky glaze to them. Any suggestions on how to remove this? We didn't understand why they don't stay shiny since the tile were already sealed when we got them.
Thank you

ANSWER

ANSWER - Normally when your sealed Saltillo tiles have a whitish or cloudy appearance, it means that moisture is trapped under the sealer.

Chances are you have a surface type sealer that does not allow the tile to breath.  You also may have a moisture problem such that moisture is migrating up through your concrete slab and is being trapped under the sealed tile.   This could be due to having improper drainage, and/or you don't have a vapor retarder under the slab that has been properly installed to run up the sides of the slab to keep moisture out.

Without knowing what type of sealer was used to your pre-sealed Saltillo tiles, it is hard to say how best to remediate your problem.  There are strippers available to remove most sealers that you can use to strip the older sealer and let it dry out and then seal it with a breathable penetrating sealer.

If the problem is having excessive moisture that is draining towards the slab then you can install french drains around the perimeter of the slab.  If the tile wasn't installed with waterproofing and drains, then you either have to redo it or live with it.