Do my tiles need to be sealed?

Depending on the type of tile you have. Typically, quarry tiles, natural products such as slate, sandstone, travertine, marble and some porcelain tiles need to be protected with a sealer. Most glazed products, with a standard ceramic surface, do not need to be sealed. Of course, our expert staff can advise you on the question of sealing.

How long does it take for the sealer to dry?

It will depend on the type of sealer that was applied. The water based and solvent based acrylic sealers normally dry within 24 hours, although it can take light feet traffic after 4 to 6 hours (depending on the prevailing weather conditions). Polyurethane sealers take longer to cure.

Why do my Marble tiles have dull marks?

Marble (and limestone) are very sensitive to acids, which can etch into and dull the stone. These acids can come from fruit, alcohol, soft drinks, soaps, shampoos and so on. Presto Cleaning Services are able to remove almost all etch marks to return the stone to an even gloss or honed finish, and can help with treatments and tactics to avoid future damage.

Do I need to seal my porcelain tiles?

The word ‘porcelain’ can be used to describe a huge array of tiles, making this question extremely difficult to answer. Generally matt finish porcelains do not need to be sealed, whereas polished porcelains almost always should be sealed. These are not concrete rules however. Presto Cleaning Services will be happy to test your porcelain to let you know if a Stain-Guarding treatment could benefit your situation.

I want to seal my floor myself; can you tell me which product to use?

Unfortunately there is not one miracle sealer that works well on all different types of surfaces. Sealers are chemically designed for certain types of tiles, stone etc. in certain situations, so without knowing all the details it is very hard to recommend a product.

Do you supply any advice & recommendations for day-to-day maintenance of tiles and natural stone?

Yes. After any cleaning and sealing work is completed we will advise our clients on suitable products and cleaning methods to use for ongoing maintenance.

How do I maintain my floors after they have been cleaned and sealed?

The Manager who carries out your cleaning / sealing will be able to offer maintenance advice specific to your tiled area. As a general rule, we recommend the use of a mild neutral cleaner (such as “Sunlight Liquid” or similar products), to maintain you tiled floors. Tiles with a textured surface may benefit from the use of a hand pad rather than a mop for a more effective clean. Avoid the use of harsh chemicals with ammonia in it such as detergents used in the washing of clothes, which will decrease the life expectancy of the sealers. Also, when mopping, make sure to change you water frequently, otherwise all you achieve is to spread dirty water around your floor.

Will my grout and tiles look like new again after cleaning and sealing?

If your grout (and tiles if applicable) have NOT been sealed previously, it is possible that some staining, particularly in high traffic area’s, may be permanent. If your grout (and tiles if applicable) HAS been sealed previously, the dirt and other contaminants should have been prevented from penetrating and you may expect an excellent result from cleaning and re-sealing.

Does sealing my tiles make them maintenance free?

No, tiled floors and grout require regular maintenance. If you have your carpet Scotch guarded you would not assume that you have to vacuum less frequently, likewise if you have your tiles or grout sealed, do not assume that you have to clean & maintain them less frequently.

Textured tiles, while providing non-slip features, attract dirt and grime build up by their very nature. Often a simple mop will not be sufficient for maintaining tiles of this type and periodic professional cleaning may well be recommended.

Grout is often the lowest point on the floor which results in dirt, grime and other contaminants collecting there – particularly in high traffic areas / walk ways. Regular and thorough cleaning with the correct products and equipment will be required to keep tiles and grout looking good.

Is natural stone difficult to maintain?

Natural stone requires sealing at least once every 1 to 3 years due to its porous nature, and should be cleaned with a pH balanced cleaner regularly. Natural stone is unparalleled in look and feeling, and as a result many people put up with the added maintenance to enjoy the added ambiance.

What is the difference between marble and granite?

Although both are stone and they’re quarried from the earth, granite and marble are very different from each other. Granite is formed deep in the earth’s mantle at extremely high temperatures, and is a very hard, resistant stone made of crystallized minerals.

Marble (and limestone, travertine & onyx) begins as sediment and/or animal skeletons, shells, plant matter, and silt at the bottom of bodies of water. After millions of years this solidifies into stone.

Can all scratches on marble be removed?

Conventional scratches (represent 95% of all stone deterioration); scuff marks and acidic stains (wine, vinegar, household cleaners etc.) can be removed by diamond polishing procedures.

How long will the polished surface on marble last?

Hardness and wear resistance of any substance (including marble, concrete, limestone and terrazzo) depend on its molecular density, mineral composition and structural integrity.

During our polishing process the diamond segments mechanically close the “pores” of marble or concrete surface in a way, that the light rays reflecting from the polished surface returning back with less aberration on every progressively higher step. That is why polished surfaces actually shine. We do not change core “ingredients” of material being polished.

Therefore, the lifespan of polished surface (i.e. shiny look) directly related to:

The question on how long the shine will last – is entirely in the hands on the owner!

What is the difference between epoxy and polyurethane floor coatings?

People researching concrete floor coatings often wonder whether they should use an epoxy or polyurethane coating for their concrete floor. The answer in many cases . . . although not all . . . is use both! Each of these floor coatings works in a different way, performs a different function, and has advantages in particular applications. Both provide protection against chemical corrosion, wear, and damage, are long-lasting and reduce replacement and maintenance costs. Both increase safety with non-slip surfaces, can increase light reflectivity by up to 300% which lowers utility bills, brightens the work space and improves employee morale.

Epoxy concrete floor coatings function more as a floor priming/resurfacing method; whereas polyurethane is more of a wear surface protecting the epoxy (although the polyurethane can be applied on its own – if the floor surface is smooth, sound and level without deep marks or high spots).

Here’s a brief summary of the two products:

Epoxy: Epoxy is an ideal product for resurfacing a concrete floor. It can be applied from as little as 0.5 mm to as much as 6 mm thick depending on the application and underlying floor surface. It can build up an old, cracked and pitted concrete floor and make it look brand-spanking shiny and new. It’s also a great way to add colour to the work place and/or use multiple colors to designate certain areas and walkways. Epoxy concrete floor coatings also protect the floor surface and with proper preparation of the underlying concrete (which usually means diamond grinding rather than shot blasting) and expert installation for proper curing and bonding, an epoxy floor can last almost forever!

Polyurethane: Polyurethanes is an outstanding top coat and sealer for most kinds of epoxy applied over concrete floor coatings or can also be used on its own. It is rolled out at between 25 to 35 microns “dry film thickness” per coat and is usually applied in 2 to 3 coats. This brings the total coating to between 50 and 100 microns (1 micron is 1/1000 of a mm). Appropriate for retail, industrial, showroom and public buildings, polyurethane floor coatings are popular for a number of uses including: labs, manufacturing plants, hospitals, schools, automotive, aerospace, showrooms, malls and many more.

Polyurethanes also posses “elastomeric memory” which means that they can withstand considerable deflection (in tension or compression) without permanent deformation. The abrasion resistance of polyurethane is far superior to epoxy.

Polyurethanes have a much wider hardness range, from 5 Shore A up to 85 Shore D, whereas the useful hardness range for epoxies would be from 40D to 90D. Polyurethanes tend to be less brittle and have higher tensile elongation than other materials with similar hardness.

In general, it is believed that the best approach is to use epoxy to build up floors and then polyurethane topcoat to seal and protect them. With polyurethane as a topcoat over epoxy, the floor will outlast unsealed epoxy 3:1 and you will get excellent wear and abrasion results. However every flooring customer’s needs are unique, depending upon the particular use and desired outcomes. That’s why Presto Cleaning Services believes in customizing concrete floor coatings for each individual application.

What is your rate per square meter?

There are so many variables involved in the cleaning and sealing of tiles. The type of tiles, condition of the tiles and the type of sealer to be used has an influence on the price.

Can Presto Cleaning Services give me a quotation over the phone?

No. It is our standard procedure to meet you on site so we can explain the cleaning and sealing procedure to you. We need to identify your specific requirements and measure the area involved in order to give you an accurate price.

Payment Method?

We require a 50% deposit upfront to secure a booking and the balance on completion of the project.