SANDSTONE & LIMESTONE

CLEANING, SEALING AND MAINTENANCE OF SANDSTONE & LIMESTONE

SANDSTONE

This is a natural stone deposit, which is mechanically removed from the earth and cut into slabs, which are sized into tiles of various sizes.

It has a natural rough finish, which makes it especially suitable for wet areas due to its natural anti slip texture.

It can however also be honed to a smooth, matt finish and in some instances a slight gloss can also be obtained.

As it is a natural product, colour differences per tile are to be expected as well as the presence of fossils, usually fern like in appearance and black in colour.

Sandstone is 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. 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 of the stone and can if used in too high a concentration, leave the tile with a green tinge.

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.

SEALING AND SEALERS

There are 2 commonly used tile sealer / finishes.

A penetrating fluorocarbon treatment, which protects the surface with little colour change. We would suggest the use of SPECKLEEN® PERMOSEAL STD WB™ as a penetrating coat to protect the natural colour on natural substrates and SPECKLEEN® PERMOSEAL STD SB on honed substrates.
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, however it tends to detract from the natural look of the stone.

We would suggest the use of SPECKLEEN® PUC m/t™ (matt). This will penetrate the surface of the tile, thereby providing abrasion resistance and superior protection against staining by beverages and food oils.

LIMESTONE

Treat as above, however, as Limestone is softer than Sandstone, it is extremely sensitive to acids. We would suggest that the use of SPECKLEEN® ACON™ be deployed in half dosage to that of Sandstone and that one errs on the side of caution by cleaning twice rather than attempting to rush the job and compromise the surface of the stone.

MAINTENANCE

Maintain using SPECKLEEN microfibre tool and sleeve together with trigger spray and SPECKLEEN® NEUTRADET diluted up to 1:100. Apply in mist spray and rinse with clean water. Contact SPECKLEEN® directly for detailed cleaning and maintenance specifications pertaining to the finish applied. Contact details below.

TECHNICAL AND CONTRACTING - For further technical advice or contracting information contact SPECKLEEN® on info@speckleen.co.za

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®.