[benny d]

Hi all,
I need a bit of advice please as I have a Limestone floor to clean next week. I do quite a lot of tile and grout cleaning using the Steamway TM and the SX-12 wand, and get great results. But limestone is a first for me.

Does anyone know what make of cleaning solution and sealers I need to do the limestone floor?
If you can advise me of what chemicals that you might have used, it will be appreciated.

Ben

[Steve. Taylor]

before you start give it a good vac or soft brush as it can scratch easy

As limestone is calcium based and a lot softer than say marble or granite and being a natural stone

stay clear of anything acid based i have cleaned limestone with good results with most high alkaline chems citra concentrate & ultrapac renovate both work well cleenool is also good just make sure you get it neutral with a good rinse before applying any sealer as it can turn silvery when dry.

[craigp]

I done a few with 'spinnergy 11' from Alltec and SX-12 got great results.

I don't think there is any benefit in sealing just reccommend they have it cleaned once a year or every two years

[sherco]

I done a few with 'spinnergy 11' from Alltec and SX-12 got great results.

I don't think there is any benefit in sealing just reccommend they have it cleaned once a year or every two years
[/quote

No benefit from sealing!!! Dear oh Dear....keep doing them like this then give them my number to sort it out!!!]

[craigp]

They had it sealed before and told me it didnt do much and saw no benefit. still got dirty and was not easier to clean.

please enlighten me though

[craigp]

To illistrate what I'm saying above is a picture of the floor two years after someone cleaned and sealed, if its got in this state whilst being sealed whats the benefit?


below is after cleaning

[craigp]

And no, no one can have my before and after pics!

[Andrew Briscoe]

Maybe it had a poor quality floor seal, or it wasnt applied correctly.

Andrew

[derek west]

surely the reason it cleaned up so well was because it was sealed last time, if the sealant doesn't get in there then the soiling and stains would.

just a guess mind.

[craigp]

Good point but I have cleaned unsealed stone and it has cleaned just as well.

[Steve. Taylor]

Craig & derek imo your both right but sealing as you say will protect a little longer

Take stain protection on carpet for example will it stop the carpet from getting dirty no
will it make it easier to remove stains and soiling next time we would hope so

Forgot to say in my first post with natural stone in some casses overwetting can cause efflorescence
bit like browning in carpets in a way.

sherco what sealers do u use mate?

[sherco]

surely the reason it cleaned up so well was because it was sealed last time, if the sealant doesn't get in there then the soiling and stains would.

just a guess mind.
[/qu

You hit the nail on the head...that would of had an impregnating sealer applied when it was laid.

[sherco]

Craig & derek imo your both right but sealing as you say will protect a little longer

Take stain protection on carpet for example will it stop the carpet from getting dirty no
will it make it easier to remove stains and soiling next time we would hope so

Forgot to say in my first post with natural stone in some casses overwetting can cause efflorescence
bit like browning in carpets in a way.

sherco what sealers do u use mate?

Sealers are designed to stop staining from dirt etc....unsealed stone will stain very easily...got one at the moment £1 million house all ground floor was laid with limestone and tiler did not seal it...its costing them £2800.00 for me to put it right. I use Aqua mix products and a few other bits i get from italy. Efflorescence normally happens with terracotta and saltillo.

[Joe H]

Sherco
When you say they paying you to "put it right".
What does the job entail? and how long? for what area are you talking about?

[Steve. Taylor]

Saltillo before anyone asks from what i know is a form of terracotta that comes from saltillo in mexico
colours vary from deep red to orange light yellow to name a few

[sherco]

Sherco
When you say they paying you to "put it right".
What does the job entail? and how long? for what area are you talking about?

It is a very light coloured limestone, I'm having to diamond polish the surface to remove the marks...then i will Hone the floor with a powder to get it back to the satin finish then apply 2-3 coats of sealer..

[will_turton]

bloody hell craig, anyone with a brain will seal a natural stone floor, what happens next time you go to clean it and you cant remove some stains by the cooker

[collins ReVive Stoneworks]

Sherco

why are you polishing the floor

only to hone it

honing powder will leave it a little open then you have to use diamonds again

to smooth off the top just a tad

[sherco]

I dont want to use metals to grind it, did a test with diamonds and got a good result will see if i need to Hone the floor if i dont take it to far with the diamonds.

[collins ReVive Stoneworks]

sherco just finish at a lower grit rather than powder

think kevin uses a lot of powder for me rather not use

rotary brush soon wears out  but then whats a few squid