- Stain Protection: Porous stone and tile are very easily stained or damaged when exposed to especially liquid contaminants. The application of a suitable sealer helps to solve this problem by greatly reducing the stone or tiles ability to immediately absorb these contaminants. This allows time to remove the offending contaminant before it causes a stain. We call this “reaction time”.Sealers come in various types, designed to give a range of reaction times as well as protection against a range of different types of contaminants. Aqua Mix® offers primarily water based sealers designed to offer a complete range of performance in terms of both reaction time and chemical resistance. The recently introduced Sealers Choice Gold Rapid Cure® is the pinnacle of stone and tile sealer technology, offering maximum reaction time and protection against the widest range of contaminants, while curing in as little as 4 hours.
- Easier Maintenance: The ability of porous stone and tile to absorb liquids makes routine cleaning and maintenance difficult and more time consuming. As soon as cleaners are exposed to a porous tile or stone a percentage of the cleaning solution, and suspended dirt, is absorbed back into the stone. This is the most common reason why porous tile and stone surfaces slowly accumulate dirt over time even though proper maintenance cycles are implemented. The application of a suitable sealer will reduce the overall ability of the stone or tile surface to absorb liquids. In doing so the removal of the cleaning solution and suspended dirt is made easier and most importantly more effective. It also speeds up the cleaning process, allowing better productivity in commercial installations, by allowing the cleaning solution to be spread over greater areas prior to removal from the surface.
- Protects Grout: Cement based grout is a component in the majority of stone and tile systems and yet it is often overlooked in terms of how it affects the overall look of the installation. A glazed ceramic tile installation, for example, is most commonly seen as not requiring any type of sealer protection. Yet as cement grout is porous, absorbing dirt and liquid contaminants, it will over time adversely affect the overall appearance of the job. The application of a stone or tile sealer will of course also seal the grout at the same time. However when the finish has no ability for water absorption, such as a glazed ceramic tile, it is still advisable to seal the grout. This can easily be achieved by using any one of the Aqua Mix range of penetrating sealers. However Aqua Mix also has a specialized sealer for grout – Aqua Mix Grout Sealer® – that is designed specifically for installations where the tile or stone itself does not require sealer protection.
- Efflorescence: Soluble salt (Efflorescence) is a common problem associated with tile and stone installations. This white powdery material that settles on the surface can be very problematic if not removed. However the best way to manage this problem is to limit the risk of it occurring in the first place. As efflorescence can only form in the presence of water, managing and reducing the quantity of water that enters the stone or tile system is the trick. The application of a suitable sealer is one of the main components of a system for managing efflorescence. A complete management system contains, proper placement and use of waterproof membranes, polymer modified adhesives and grouts, falls to drains, sealants (or caulks) and of course sealers. By reducing the ability of the stone, tile or grout to absorb water the sealer helps to reduce the overall quantity of water that can enter the installation and in doing so reduces the risk of efflorescence. All Aqua Mix sealers have the ability to assist in the management of efflorescence. However our range of premium sealers, such as our Sealers Choice Gold Rapid Cure, offers the highest performance.
- Color Enhancement: Over time the color of some porous stone and tile can fade or deteriorate due to weathering or other environmental conditions. In some instances stone can be supplied in certain finishes (for example tumbled, sandblasted or honed) where a consequence is the loss or fading of color. A sealer can be of great assistance in restoring or enhancing the color of porous stone or tile. Almost all contemporary sealers are designed specifically not to alter the color of a stone or tile. However there is a category of sealer that is designed specifically to restore color and these are called Enhancers. Aqua Mix Enrich N Seal™ is a state-of- the-art enhancer. It is a penetrating type sealer that sits just below the surface of the porous stone or tile and once cured enhances and restores the natural color of the finish as well as offering premium sealer performance both in terms of reaction time and chemical resistance.