One point that needs emphasizing is that if you want to retain the natural beauty of natural stone it needs to be sealed in some form against impurities such as oil, grease and general dirt. In many instances it also needs to be sealed against water penetration.
How many times do we see a floor that’s only six months old with dirt or grease stains that do not come out with normal cleaning? How often do we see exterior stone, three or four years old having lost its original lustre and looking drab? These situations can be avoided.
We need more education in the UK as to which type of cleaners and impregnators should be used in each particular situation. While we may use an excellent product for sealing and cleaning a kitchen worktop it could cause problems if the same products were used on exterior stone or in a bathroom.
Without an impregnator on exterior stone, rain will penetrate into the stone, taking with it the impurities it contains. These are then left in the pores and in many cases totally transform the appearance of the stone. By using the correct sealer you can protect stone for up to 15 years. Water then runs off the surface and any dirt that does accumulate doesn’t penetrate the stone and therefore can be easily washed off. However, if a sealer is used that doesn’t allow the stone to breathe it can trap moisture beneath the surface which, in turn, can cause the surface of the stone to break up.
Is it correct to use a water and oil impregnator in damp bathroom conditions? The answer is: No. Many of us will have seen black or dark marks appear just beneath the surface of the stone. This is because moisture is trapped by the sealer and facilitates minor mould growth. Primalas 92 acts like a very fine web which allows the stone to breathe and not only avoids this situation but also provides a longer life than most other water and oil repellents.
There are over 20 different sealers available in the Feder range to suit various conditions and stones. Some examples are detailed below.
CTF40 Oil & Water Impregnator Sealant – this seals granite and most natural stones, effectively leaving little or no difference to the original surface. Rep Oil & Water Impregnator Sealant is similar and gives high protection to more porous stones.
Primalas 92 Water Repellent is an impregnator for stone that will be in rising or continual damp conditions. It penetrates deep into the stone, sealing it against the impurities water may bring but still allows it to breathe.
Antique Marbre is an impregnator and colour intensifier which leaves the stone with a deeper lustre and shine.
Idrobase 303 is a water-based impregnator with low evaporation that doesn’t give off any odour when applying.
Two of the more advanced products are: Microsil Normal, a solvent-based sealer to intensify the colour of granite and engineered stone. It takes out micro webbing lines and can be polished to a bright shine.
Zimba Black is a solvent-based black intensifier especially good on Zimbabwe Black granite highly effective on all black stones. It needs to be sealed by applying coats of CTF40 Oil & Water Impregnator Sealant.
Most of us have seen situations where stones such as marble and travertine have been severely damaged by using domestic or industrial cleaners. It emphasises the importance of using the correct products and, again, Stonegate has a range of stone cleaners that will effectively clean and look after natural stone.
One example is Detergon R3, a PH7 (neutral) product. Not only has it unique properties that release some of the most stubborn dirt but it has antibacterial properties and has been clinically tested for use in hospitals and food preparation areas.
It is well worth calling Stonegate (01482 620400) to arrange for samples to be sent to you or to gain information on the right type of product for the application.