Q What are the natural stone problems?

The most common problem is the removal of stains from stone surface , which may be on top of surface or impregnating stain. In some cases, it just surface dirt. However, stains come because the stone has a porosity or the impregnator has not been applied improperly. A proper applied Quality sealer will greatly reduce the porosity of the stone and inhibits stains. Not all stone installers are applying sealers.

Q What to do to avoid this problem?

Selecting dense stones is always a good idea. But in nature all natural stone have more or less porosity which will allow stain to penetrate in porosity. So stone installers has to use a sealer.

Q What are the types of sealers?

Sealers are of different type depending upon working type of surface and also a base of sealer. Mainly two types of sealers are there as per working property. 1 Surface sealer 2 Impregnating Sealer And as per base there are two type of sealer are there. 1 Water base solvent Base.

Q Which sealer i have to use?

Impregnating Sealer should be use as it will penetrate and become a part of stone so there is no chance to peel of a sealer film.

Q Should the sealer be water-based or solvent-based?

Sealers need a carrier to evenly spread and take the active ingredients onto or into the surface. This carrier is either water and/or a non-water based solvent. There is no doubt that " water- based" sounds like a more desirable product but this term can be misleading. Many water- based impregnators still contain a considerable amount of solvent such as n-butyl acetate. As a general rule, non-water based sealers are more effective than water-based sealers. The main reasons they perform better include: they are able to wet and penetrate into the surface - this gives the sealer protection from weathering, cleaning, traffic, freeze- thaw, picture framing (critical on kitchen counter tops where water may by-pass any surface treatment) and efflorescence. Non-water based sealers can also be used over a previously impregnated surface and are suitable to treat resin treated stone, which is the norm for granite kitchen counters. Fortunately, there are safe and environmentally responsible VOC compliant non- water based solvents available.

Q Are your products environmentally responsible?

Yes, in a number of ways. Firstly, our preferred carrier solvent is alcohol, a renewable and biologically responsible bio-liquid that is produced using sugar cane or corn.Stone Care Solution also uses safe and environmentally responsible VOC compliant non-water based solvents were possible. Secondly, our products are semi-permanent which means once treated the sealing procedure does not have to be redone, in some cases for thirty years. Finally, making a surface easier to clean means that substantially less aggressive cleaning liquids and water are required for use in commercial, industrial and home cleaning. In these important ways we are making a small contribution to long-term sustainability.

Q Why is it necessary to carry out a test trial with the sealer before doing the full job?

Every surface is subtly different. Unless you have applied the sealer to the exact same surface with the same conditions before it is a must to carry out a small trial to ensure you get the result you are after. For example, a surface that has been treated with an artificial organic dye (unknown by the customer) may be removed when the sealer is applied.

Q What is efflorescence?

Efflorescence is a problem affecting all cement based building materials. This includes pavers, brickwork, blockwork, concrete, render, grout and tiles. In every kilogram of cement- based material there are also many grams of water-soluble salts. Most commonly, efflorescence begins when unused lime compounds from the cement are dissolved in mixing water, ground water or rain. Evaporation of the water brings these lime compounds to the surface where they can react with carbon dioxide in air to form insoluble crystalline calcium carbonate. This is the unsightly white powdery material we often see on pavers that detracts from what should otherwise be an attractive and clean surface.

In extreme cases the efflorescence can obscure the surface and the crystallisation can cause erosion and pitting. Eventually, the calcium carbonate may react with more carbon dioxide to form calcium bicarbonate - a material that is water-soluble. The surface may become clean after a number of months or years in the outdoors. Understandably, not everyone wants to wait that long. And since first impressions are always lasting, it's worth preventing efflorescence problems from the start. Just washing the efflorescence off the surface usually starts an almost endless cycle of more efflorescence rising to the surface. After only a few days the surface is as powdery as before. The answer is to seal the surface with a high performance sealer as soon as is practical after the building material is installed. The sealer must be deeply penetrating, able to withstand the highly alkaline environment found in cement based-materials and be completely breathable so moisture cannot be trapped below the surface. Once the surface is sealed a deep water-repelling layer is formed.

This layer will prevent water and dissolved lime compounds from reaching the surface where efflorescence could occur. At the same time the sealer stops further water soaking into the surface and so breaks the cycle of efflorescence. The unused lime compounds are left harmlessly immobile in the core of the building material with little contact with carbon dioxide. Since the sealer can breathe, sub-surface moisture can escape as water vapour rather than in a liquid form. Most efflorescence can be removed using an acid such as Eff-Erazya™ diluted in water - although extreme caution and testing is required when the surface is acid sensitive.

Q Cleaning Myths

Sealing a surface with an impregnating sealer will make the surface water and stain resistant, but not dirt resistant. The sealed surface should be cleaned as regularly as a non-sealed surface. If a problematic substance such as sticky tree gum falls on the surface, it will still be difficult to clean off, but should not permanently stain the surface.

Q How do I maintain a sealed Surface?

The long-term good looks of a sealed surface will depend on maintenance. Removing spills immediately, using diluted bleach to remove marks and routine cleaning and scrubbing of the surface will keep surfaces looking good for longer. Also, there are some floor cleaner available in market are designed to help maintain a sealed surface by cleaning and prolonging the stain resistance of the treatment.

Q How do I know which brand of sealer to buy?

The market offers the consumer an array of sealer brands with many making similar claims. You have to look sealers in two important ways. Firstly, they penetrate into a surface much deeper giving protection against weathering, traffic wear, efflorescence, picture framing, salt attack and freeze-thaw attack. Secondly, they make a covalent chemical bond to the capillary pores below the surface to provide a permanent or semi-permanent treatment. When comparing brands its a good idea to look at any independent scientific evidence that backs up performance claims and also read the written warranty. Naturally, we would like you to use our suggested sealer but if not, please do seal with a reputable brand.