Porcelain does not absorb, so anything on it is on top - which is good news. What people notice is a dull film and a green tinge in the joints, and those come from two different sources.
Grout haze
A faint cloudy film across new porcelain is often residue from installation, not dirt. It needs the right cleaner rather than more scrubbing, and it can be lifted long after laying.
This guide sits under our Patios & Driveways work, covering 20-mile radius of Plymouth.
Surface film
Pollen, salt and organic dust build a film that reads as dullness. A wash with the correct detergent restores the sheen; abrasives will scratch the surface permanently.
Joints
The joints between porcelain slabs are where growth lives, especially on a shaded terrace. Treating the joints is usually what makes the difference visually.
Questions we get on this
- Does porcelain need sealing?
- No, the body is non-porous. The jointing may benefit, depending on the product used.
- Can pressure washing damage porcelain?
- The slab itself is tough, but a lance will blow out jointing compound very easily.
- Why is it slippery when wet?
- Smoother finishes have less texture. Removing the biological film restores whatever grip the finish was designed to have.
Related reading
- White powder on brickwork: efflorescence explained
- Cracked render: what to fix before cleaning
- Weeds and moss in driveway joints
- Oil and tyre marks on driveways
