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These instructions are very general guidelines. Each circumstance and material may require slight alterations to these guidelines.
Always carefully inspect any material you intend to install before performing any installation work. For mounted mosaics, verify sheet-to-sheet color consistency by first comparing each sheet to one another from the backside. Next, compare the face of the sheets by laying them adjacent to one another and comparing the visible portion(edge) of the mosaic tiles.
Suitable Substrates include:
All substrates must be structurally sound, solid, flat, dry, and thoroughly clean and free of oil, wax, grease, asphalt, latex and gypsum compounds, curing compounds, sealers and any contaminant that might act as a bond breaker. Per the Tile Council of North America(TCNA)guidelines, all natural stone substrates must meet a deflection rating of L/720. Overly absorbent as well as non-absorbent substrates require priming prior to installation. A maximum variation in the sub slab cannot exceed 1/8" in 10' from the required plane per MIA guidelines. Subfloor must also be level with the maximum variation of 1/16" in 3'.
Cracks as well as any areas susceptible to future surface cracking require the installation of a crack isolation membrane meeting ANSI 118.12.
Wet Areas require the installation of a waterproofing membrane - most major tile setting material manufacturers have a product. Select one that has specs meeting ANSI 118.10 prior to installation. Steam Rooms require a waterproofing and vapor retarding membrane specific for the purpose with a perm rating of .05 perms or less.
A stable tile wet saw with a high-quality continuous rim diamond saw blade must be used to cut stone tile or mosaics. The recirculated water must be kept fresh and clean during the cutting process.
Following each manufacturer's radiant heat system instructions carefully. Allow all substrates and setting materials to fully cure before use. Follow ANSI A108.5 and TCNA EJ171 specifications.
Remember to always seal at least once after setting the tile/mosaic but before grouting. Follow grout manufacturer's specifications for the suitability of the grout for each joint width. Always test the chosen grout before proceeding with final application.
Seal the grout and tile/mosaic with a high quality penetrating sealer after it has fully cured.
Modern sealers are amazing and help keep natural stone looking gorgeous, but understanding what they actually do will help a lot.
Impregnating / Penetrating Sealers - What they do and don't do
Impregnating sealers work by repelling water, or water and oil, not by blocking the pores of the material or creating a physical barrier. Because of this:
1. Impregnators cannot stop acid etching of acid sensitive surfaces including the following stones: marble, limestone, travertine, and onyx. These stones contain calcite, a form of calcium, which reacts and dissolves on contact with acids, even mild acids such as lemon juice, cola and wine. In populated urban areas, rain can be acidic. The use of acid sensitive materials outdoors is not recommended as discoloration and acid damage may occur.
2. Impregnators do not make surfaces impervious to staining. Given enough time or enough pressure, water and oil can penetrate, so spills should be wiped up in a timely manner.
3. Impregnators do not provide a physical barrier and therefore do not provide protection from physical wear and tear, scuff marks, or dirt being ground into the texture or pits of rough surfaces.
1. Stain-Proof Premium Impregnating Sealer (previously known as: Stain-Proof™ Original), Dense Stone Impregnating Sealer (Previously known as: Stain-Proof™ Plus) & Waterborne Dense Stone Sealer(previously known as: MetaCreme™) are formulated using Stain-Proofs unique sealing technology - our sealer molecules are approximately 400+ times smaller than other impregnators and penetrate much further into the pores to form a much deeper water and oil repellent barrier. This allows Stain-Proof impregnators to provide more than stain repellence, including protection against efflorescence, salt/freeze-thaw spalling and picture framing.
2. Stain-Proof sealers form permanent chemical bonds inside the pores, becoming part of the internal molecular structure of the treated material for superior longevity and protection and resistance to cleaning and UV light.
3. Stain-Proof sealers have huge active ingredient levels - up to 70%; compared to 5-10% for common impregnators.
These instructions are very general guidelines. Each circumstance and material may require slight alterations to these guidelines.
Hand-made tile installation will require a different approach to mechanical tile at the setting stage - this will be clarified in specific sections below. Always carefully inspect any material you intend to install before performing any installation work. For mounted mosaics, verify sheet-to-sheet color consistency by first comparing each sheet to one another from the backside. Next, compare the face of the sheets by laying them adjacent to one another and comparing the visible portion(edge) of the mosaic tiles.
Suitable Substrates include:
All substrates must be structurally sound, solid, flat, dry, and thoroughly clean and free of oil, wax, grease, asphalt, latex and gypsum compounds, curing compounds, sealers and any contaminant that might act as a bond breaker. Per the Tile Council of North America(TCNA)guidelines, all ceramic tile substrates must meet a deflection rating of L/360. Overly absorbent as well as non-absorbent substrates require priming prior to installation. A maximum variation in the sub slab cannot exceed 1/8" in 10' from the required plane per MIA guidelines. Subfloor must also be level with the maximum variation of 1/16" in 2'.
Cracks as well as any areas susceptible to future surface cracking require the installation of a crack isolation membrane meeting ANSI 118.12.
Wet Areas require the installation of a waterproofing membrane - most major tile setting material manufacturers have a product. Select one that has specs meeting ANSI 118.10 prior to installation. Steam Rooms require a waterproofing and vapor retarding membrane specific for the purpose with a perm rating of .05 perms or less.
A stable tile wet saw with a high-quality continuous rim diamond saw blade must be used to cut ceramic tile or mosaics. The recirculated water must be kept fresh and clean during the cutting process.
Following each manufacturer's radiant heat system instructions carefully. Allow all substrates and setting materials to fully cure before use. Follow ANSI A108.5 and TCNA EJ171 specifications.
*For Crackle and Matte Finished Ceramic Tile & Mosaic*, remember to always seal at least once after setting the tile/mosaic but before grouting. Follow grout manufacturer's specifications for the suitability of the grout for each joint width. Always test the chosen grout before proceeding with final application.
Seal the grout and tile/mosaic with a high quality penetrating sealer after the entire install has fully cured.
We have found that natural stone becomes more beautiful with use and age. It can be restored either through chemical cleaning or mechanical polishing (or both!)
General recommendations for surfaces sealed with an impregnator
1. Light cleaning can be performed as regularly as necessary to stop buildup of grime and dirt.
2. Daily light cleaning may be required in high traffic commercial areas, with spot mopping of spills in food court areas.
3. Daily floor cleaner or other suitable pH neutral or mild alkaline cleaner is recommended.
4. Cleaners with detergents can leave a residue which is difficult to rinse off and collects dirt.
Daily Floor Cleaner
Stain-Proof™ Daily Floor Cleaner is a natural enzyme cleaner which can be used for light regular cleaning, heavy duty cleaning or stain removal of dirt and grime, including stains caused by oil, mold, food and beverages.
1. TEST PRODUCT ON A SMALL AREA BEFORE FULL APPLICATION.
2. Apply when surface temperature is between 5-35℃ (45-95℉). Remove dust and dirt from surface by sweeping or vacuuming.
3. Pour 4-6 capfuls of STAIN-PROOF™ Daily Floor Cleaner into a bucket of clean warm water (2 gallons / 8 Liters). Stir briefly. More soiled surfaces may need a higher concentration.
4. Mop the surface, rinsing the mop frequently. If the mixture in the bucket becomes too dirty, rinse the mop thoroughly in clean water and mix a fresh bucket of cleaner and water to continue mopping. Better still, use 2 buckets, one for clean water and one to squeeze out the dirty water.
5. In light concentrations, the cleaner should not leave a residue. If used in heavier concentrations, mop off residue with clean water.
1. Heavy duty cleaning is performed if the buildup of dirt and grim is too much for normal cleaning.
2. For indoor floors in homes, this is easily avoided by regular light cleaning.
3. On commercial surfaces, due to high volume traffic, grime can build up despite daily light cleaning efforts.
4. Heavy duty 'Spring' cleaning can be performed every 3 months, monthly or more often if necessary, provided a suitable cleaner and non-damaging tools are used.
Daily Floor Cleaner
Stain-Proof™ Daily Floor Cleaner is a natural enzyme cleaner which can be used for light regular cleaning, heavy duty cleaning or stain removal of dirt and grime, including stains caused by oil, mold, food and beverages.
1. TEST PRODUCT ON A SMALL AREA BEFORE FULL APPLICATION.
2. Remove dust and dirt from surface by sweeping or vacuuming.
3. Use 1/10th bottle of Daily Floor Cleaner per 1 gallon (about 4 liters) of fresh (preferably warm) water. The concentration can be increased further if necessary.
4. Generously apply the cleaning solution to the surface with a pump sprayer or mop and leave for a few minutes so the enzymes can start breaking down the dirt.
5. Before the cleaner dries on the surface, scrub with a suitable brush or deck scrubber. Daily Floor Cleaner is suitable for use in commercial scrubbing machines as well (recommended for large commercial surfaces).
6. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and a mop. A wet vac can be used for faster removal from commercial surfaces.
7. For stains or spots where normal heavy duty cleaning has not produced a perfect result, apply Daily Floor Cleaner undiluted, allow to sit for a few minutes, scrub with a suitable brush before it dries and rinse thoroughly. Repeat if necessary.
8. Please note: Daily Floor Cleaner is a cleaner for inanimate organic particulate such as dirt and grim, and not a remover for mineral or rust deposits, although it can work on these in some circumstances.
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