Case 2

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Maintenance and Diagnostics

Periodic cleaning with a brush with a stiff dry bristle brush or sponge with a high suction cloth such as a chamois.

For more serious cases, efflorescence can be removed by a dilute acid followed by copious washing.

Condition of Ceramic Tiled Wall	Cleaning Method
Unglazed ceramic tiles Glazed ceramic tiles	Scrubbing with washing soda or tri-sodium phosphate. Rinse well. Use plain water to remove soil. Occasionally for heavier soil, use a mild detergent solution and rinse well.
Mosaic tiles	Washing with an abrasive cleaner such as brushing can be effective. Pressure blasting can also be considered to wash away dirt trapped at the joints.
Efflorescence	Removed by dry brushing or with water and a stiff brush. Heavy efflorescence may be removed with a solution of muriatic acid and scrubbing. Wet the surface well before and after the solution is applied.
Mildew	Remove with a dilute solution of chlorine bleach in water
Biological growth	Use a weak acid such as vinegar.

Table 1: General cleaning of tiled walls

Visual inspection.
Petrography can be carried to ascertain the efflorescence.
Thermography can be used to determine any presence of water beneath the tiles.
In the case of high porosity of mortar or brick wall backing. Windsor Probe test can be carried out.