There are lots of very valid reasons to support good surface protection and maintenance. Retaining a tile’s aesthetic is top of many lists. Ongoing easy maintenance is also a good motive – keeping a surface clean and preventing a build-up of dirt and residue makes ongoing maintenance much easier and less time consuming. There are also performance characteristics; a correct regime will also ensure that a tile retains its slip resistance. But have you ever considered the benefits that specifically relate to the environment?
Refurbishing & deep cleaning
When a tile or stone surface isn’t properly protected and maintained, the build-up of dirt and organic residue greatly affects the aesthetic, safety and ease of maintenance. In many cases, neglected surfaces are then treated with toxic chemicals. Whilst this may have the desired effect of removing residue, these types of interventions are damaging to the environment and often costly and time consuming. If solutions are unsuitable, they can also damage the tile, grout joint and any sealer that’s been applied, creating more issues that will need to be addressed.
If a tile needs to be renovated or deep cleaned, choose a safe, non-caustic specialist treatment like alkaline-based intensive cleaner, ECOPROTEC Stone & Tile Intensive Cleaner. Specific residue can also be safely tackled by using a specialist remover. For example, ECOPROTEC Cement, Grout & Salt Residue Remover; ECOPROTEC Rust Stain Remover, ECOPROTEC Black Spot & Algae Remover and ECOPROTEC Joint Residue Remover.
Surface protection
Protecting a tile pays real dividends. It retains the surface aesthetic and makes maintenance easier, which is turn safeguards performance. Stone and polished porcelain should ideally be sealed with a water-based treatment before and after grouting, to protect the tiles from grout residue, stains and ongoing wear and tear. Textured matt porcelain tiles, whilst not requiring treatment with a sealer, will benefit from application of a water-based barrier treatment before grouting – like ECOPROTEC Pre Grout Protection. A further coat after installation will also make ongoing maintenance easier. Tiles that have been intensively cleaned should also be resealed, to protect them going forwards.
Sealing a tile, once again, offers long term eco-benefits. In protecting the tile, the sealer makes maintenance easier, reduces associated waste and water consumption and eliminates the need for more drastic intervention with harsh chemicals.
A close look at water-based sealers
There are still some that question whether a water-based product can provide the same level of performance as a solvent. Solvent-based sealers – sometimes referred to as oil-based or spirit-based – contain a significantly higher level of organic solvents than water-based treatments. These solvents create the strong odour that’s evident when a surface has been freshly sealed. If incorrectly used, they can also be potentially hazardous for both human health and for the environment, which is why concerted efforts are being made to reduce or remove their presence in sealing solutions, without negatively impacting on performance.
In essence, solvents facilitate the sealer’s application, its drying and the formation of an even seal below the surface of the tile or stone. During application and drying, the solvent evaporates. A fully cured sealed floor no longer contains solvent. However, when they evaporate, these solvents release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere, with a negative, toxic impact on the environment.
Advances in technology have resulted in a new breed of impregnating water-based sealers that are equal to or superior to their solvent-based equivalents. They offer excellent durability, quick drying times and the emission of less odour. Not all water-based sealers contain zero solvents. Many contain ‘co-solvents’ – solvents present in lower concentrations that are meant to help push the rest of the water out of the coating as it dries. But since water-based solutions have either no solvents, or considerably less solvents, both provide a safer alternative to a traditional sealer.
Once applied and cured, water and solvent-based sealers function in a similar fashion. They are both tough, durable and they provide stain protection, so various spillages can be removed before permanent staining occurs. They are each typically available in fully formulated, ready-to-apply liquids and are easy to apply. But one key difference between them is their appearance: solvent-based sealers tend to be clear as the sealer polymer and the solvent form a continuous clear solution, whereas water-based sealers appear milky white. This is because the polymers are present as separate particles and scatter visible light differently than the water in which they are dispersed.
The benefits of a water-based sealer
There are many benefits offered by an impregnating water-based sealer. They include:
Low VOC’s. Water-based sealers are much safer. They are less toxic and much less harmful to the environment and human health.
Low odour. As well as providing a safer, more comfortable application, there is no risk of odour tainting carpets and soft fabrics.
UV resistance. Water-based sealers are fully transparent to UV light, so they don’t undergo the photochemical breakdown experienced by some more UV-absorbent solvent-based sealers. This UV resistance can lead to greater longevity and protection.
Handling/safety. Water-based sealers are non-hazardous for transport and shipping and are non-flammable.
Storage. There are far less stringent rules for the storage of water-based sealers, which saves time and money. (There is a vast amount of administration involved in the storage of hazardous products, including completion of comprehensive paperwork and the requirement for secure fireproof locked containers.)
Coverage. As a general rule, water-based sealers tend to go further than solvent-based sealers, with a typical extra coverage of between 10 and 20% on most surfaces.
Recommendations for ongoing maintenance
Maintenance requirements will differ depending on the type of stone or tile, its location and traffic. In general, we recommend day-to-day cleaning with a quality pH-neutral solution. This is particularly important with natural stone, which can be acid sensitive; everyday surface cleaners, even popular eco-brands, are often acidic and can damage the stone, grout joint and any sealer applied. Likewise, natural cleaning hacks made from ingredients like lemon and soda should also be avoided for the same reason. For stone walls and floors, we recommend ECOPROTEC Natural Stone & Porcelain Aftercare Cleaner and ECOPROTEC Multi-purpose Cleaner.
Tiles should be cleaned on a regular basis to avoid an accumulation of dirt and residue. In general, floors in commercial settings should be cleaned daily and domestic floors on a weekly basis. All ECOPROTEC cleaning solutions are suitable for scrubber/dryer machines used in commercial environments.
Externally, paths and patios will benefit from a thorough clean every couple of months or so with ECOPROTEC Intensive Cleaner – ideally, twice during the winter and three times during late spring/summer. Regular cleaning of inside-to-outside surfaces, like those that run through bifold doors, will also help maintain a seamless aesthetic.
Others ways to promote sustainable maintenance
In addition to the eco-benefits provided by a good regime – and by switching to water-based solutions – choosing products that are manufacturing and packaged sustainably is also vital. At ECOPROTEC, our own initiatives include:
- Minimising waste disposal throughout production and reusing pallets.
- Sourcing cardboard packaging from FSC accredited suppliers.
- Using recyclable bottles made from recycled materials.
And, over the next five years, our own goal at ECOPROTEC is for 75% of our production to be of water-based, non-hydrocarbon formulations. The tile and stone industry still needs encouragement to support this strategy but the environmental benefits are irrefutable.
For more advice, browse ECOPROTEC TV on YouTube, contact the ECOPROTEC team direct on 01823 666213 or email technical@ecoprotec.co.uk
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For media information and photography, please contact Angela Fitzhugh PR Ltd on tel. (01579) 673026 or email angie@afpr.co.uk
