More Product Information:
To help prevent the staining of porous materials from oil and or water
based substances; a liquid floor sealer can be applied. Natural stone
sealer on and materials like porcelain, terracotta, concrete and
unglazed ceramic benefit from the protection. It is always good to apply
a tile sealer to the surface as this can extend the life of your stone
by helping to keep the dirt off and it helps to maintain its appearance
for longer without stains blemishing the surface. Ensure that you apply
good quality stone floor sealers which are designed for the application.
Better quality products are likely to be more effective for longer than
inferior sealants.
Never use products such as wood stains or wood seals on a stone,
terracotta, porcelain or ceramic surface or wall, as they could
permanently damage the surface and its appearance. Sealants tend to be one of two types – surface seals like Fila Jet and
Lithofin Slate Seal, or impregnating seals like Fila Fob and Lithofin MN Stain-Stop. A surface floor sealing coats the top of the surface with a thin film which acts as a protective barrier. This barrier helps to protect the stone from stains, scuffs and scratches. Where there is a lot of foot traffic, for example in a hallway, regular reapplication may be required as the coating wears away quicker over time.
An impregnating seal sinks below the surface of the stone, where it is absorbed. It avoids dirt and moisture penetration and prevents staining due to the product’s waterproofing and oil-proofing effects. It is harder wearing and longer lasting than a surface floor sealer. It can be solvent-based or water-based. The solvent based seals require the surface to be completely dry before being applied.
The simplest way to verify whether there is sufficient tile sealer on your grout is to drip a teaspoon of water onto the surface and leave it for a few minutes. If the water remains sat on top of the surface, as if in a bubble, the seal is probably satisfactory. If the water soaks into the area of the tile or grout and when wiped away leaves a dark patch then there is not enough seal in place to protect the surface adequately. It is important to remember to test the floor wax surface in a number of different areas in the room, as the natural stone floor sealer in places where the quantity of foot fall or traffic is highest (i.e. the route which people and/or animals routinely walk across the floor) are more likely to have been affected and worn away.
In the event of a new floor or wall surface being laid, you should consider whether or not to apply one coat of sealant to your tiles prior to them being grouted. This will ease the removal of excess grout from the surface before the final coats of floor sealer are applied. Key examples of stone types which benefit from this practice are travertine and riven surfaces like slate. These surfaces, because they are riven, rough or holed, will make it harder to clean off the grout without some protection applied first.
