SEALING LIMESTONE.

Lithofin - Technical Support Tel - 01962 732126 ; Fax - 01962 735373. TOWER 020 7485 7192

New Build Method Statement Specification for Limestone Flooring

(i) lnstallation

On delivery the limestone tiles may be damp; handle them carefully to avoid marking or chipping. Follow the fixer's instructions to install the floor, but do not grout. Allow the tiles to dry.

(ii) Cleaning Before grouting, check that the tiles are clean and dry. The floor is usually dry enough to treat when all the tiles are of a similar shade. If they need a light clean to remove footprints, dust or dirt, use Lithofin MN Power Clean. This is a special alkaline cleaner which will help remove grouting compounds, builder's dust, etc.

(iii) Protection

To prepare the surface for grouting, you need to reduce its porosity so that grouting residue can be easily removed. This means saturating the limestone with an impregnator such as Lithofin MN Stain Stop Using a mop, roller or brush, apply half the specified quantity of Lithofin MN Stain Stop to the surface. Work carefully, so as to minimise any frothing residue. The key to sealing the limestone flooring properly is to saturate it until no further impregnator will sink into the pores of the stone. As a guide, you should expect a litre of Lithofin MN Stain Stop to cover four to five square metres of regular limestone flooring, but this may vary. Leave the floor to dry for four to six hours. After the drying period there will usually be a residue of Lithofin MN Stainstop left on the surface. Wipe this away with a dry cloth or mop.

(iv) Grouting

Read the grouting instructions carefully. We recommend that you spread the grout liberally and cover the whole of the limestone flooring, as well as filling in the grout joints. This will minimise the "tramlining" effects that may appear a week or two after installation. Remove excess grout using a solution of Lithofin MN Power-Clean diluted 1:10 with water. Allow the grouting to dry completely before starting the final impregnation process.

(v) Final Protection

Apply the rest of the Lithofin MN Stain Stop to the surface. Remember that it is not the number of coats of impregnator that matters, but the completeness of the coverage. You should keep applying Lithofin MN Stain Stop until every part the floor is completely saturated, even if this means using an extra quantity. Lithofin MN Stain Stop is guaranteed to be stain resistant if this procedure is followed.

(vi) Maintenance

For regular cleaning you should use a product that is pH-neutral, so as not to damage the stone or the sealant We recommend Lithofin Easy-Care for most soft limestones This contains not only cleaning components, but also enhancing agents which will make the surface richer and more attractive with regular use. You can apply Lithofin Easy-Care by mop and bucket though in larger or heavy-duty areas we strongly recommend you use a "Vax" or similar to remove the wash water. Do not use a maintenance product that contains waxes. This will promote the build-up of false layers which will spoil the appearance of the floor in the long term. Remove stubborn marks with Lithofin Wexa diluted 1:10.

(vii) Extra Maintenance on rough surfaces

Limestone with a rough-honed surface may become difficult to keep clean after a few weeks of use. If so, you can apply Lithofin Multi-Seal to reduce the roughness of the floor and make future cleaning easier. See the Lithofin Multi-Seal Technical Information Sheet for more details.

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Please note : This section is constantly in development. As a result, 
modifications to the guidelines may be made at any time without 
prior notice. Any information contained herein or given by our employees 
is given in good faith and is based upon current knowledge and 
historic experience.