Lippage occurs when a tiler installs tiles in such a way that the edge of one tile is more than 1mm higher than the edge of the adjacent tile. Although the difference in height may be insignificant to the homeowner, it can wreak havoc on the materials used during a tile polishing service. Diamond pads used to restore the shine to stone floors are typically stiff discs made of resin that will not bend when struck by the edge of a tile. The pad may crack, or if an honing process is successful, the end result will most likely be an uneven polish, known as the picture-framing effect, where the stiff disc was unable to reach the lower portion of the tiles. Here’s an illustration of a picture frame effect.
As a result, many manufacturers have begun to produce softer sponge-type pads that are more flexible and can reach these lower sections of the tiles. These pads, however, do not produce a mirror finish; instead, they provide an orange-peel effect. It’s still a lovely shiny result, but the clarity isn’t as sharp.
We have discovered ways to overcome this challenge because we, at Tile Cleaning Agents, have conducted extensive research and been trained by a variety of nationally renowned experts. We can not only provide that mirror finish regardless of lippage, but we can also do it much faster than most others in our industry.
So, if you’re wondering why our prices are so low, it’s not because we sacrifice quality, but because we’ve learned how to be efficient.
