CONCRETE TILES
CLEANING, SEALING AND MAINTENANCE OF CONCRETE TILES
This is a man made tile which is manually moulded to create the impression of a natural stone look alike tile. It has a natural rough finish for outdoors or smooth finish usually used indoors.
As it is a hand made product, colour differences per tile are to be expected as well as the presence of pin holes. Concrete or cement tiles are extremely porous and susceptible to staining and it is recommended that the stone be handled with the utmost care during installation.
The most common form of jointing is the use of plaster sand and cement. Some manufacturers supply colour coded grout. As not all tilers work to the same standard, the amount of cementitious residue, which is left on the surface of the tile after grouting, may vary and accordingly requires removal with an acid based cleaner.
The use of hydrochloric acid and spirit of salts is not recommended as these acid types tend to affect the colour and surface texture of the tile by causing permanent irreversible damage.
We would suggest the use of SPECKLEEN® ACON™, which is specially formulated with different acid types so as to gently but effectively remove cement residues from tile surfaces. Neutralize with SPECKLEEN® Q 500™
SEALING AND SEALERS
There are 2 commonly used tile sealer / finishes.
- A water based treatment, which protects the surface with little colour change. These are usually supplied by the tile supplier and are adequate in the short term but have no durability in the long term. We would suggest the use of SPECKLEEN® BASECOAT™ as a “primer” coat to protect the natural colour and overcoat with SPECKLEEN® PUC m/t™ (matt) to provide excellent stain and wear resistance if high traffic usage or overcoat with NO SKIDDING® VULCAN U/V anti slip treatment if used around a swimming pool or where wet conditions may cause slipping problems.
- SPECKLEEN® PUC m/t™, a solvent based sealer, which penetrates the tile surface leaving a matt finish, but at the same time darkening the tile and enhancing the natural colours present in the tile. A gloss finish can also be achieved if required. We would suggest the use of SPECKLEEN® PUC U/V matt or gloss finish. This will strengthen the surface of the tile, providing a long lasting, durable seal coat.
- NO SKIDDING® VULCAN U/V anti slip treatment can also be applied directly to the tile surface.
- SPECKLEEN® PERMOSEAL™ for cement / concrete to be used where no colour change is required.
MAINTENANCE
Contact SPECKLEEN® directly for detailed cleaning and maintenance specifications pertaining to the finish applied.
This information is based on tests that we believe to be reliable. It is the responsibility of the user to ascertain the suitability of the product to the situation since conditions of use are outside of our control and therefore all expressed or implied warranties are confined only to the replacement of product found to be defective upon receipt of goods by purchaser. Written representation for faulty goods must be made to the supplier within 7 days of receipt of product. All products / names are the registered property of SPECKLEEN®.
