REFURBISHMENT OF LIMESTONE.

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

Refurbishment Method Statement Specification for Renovation of Existing Limestoned Flooring

(i) Introduction

Due to the diverse selection of limestone flooring laid over the past decade, it is difficult to specify a single strategy for success when renovating a limestone floor. Even so, our experience at Lithofin has enabled us to develop a consistently successful approach using standard Lithofin products. Specialised Lithofin cleaners, impregnators and sealants will only be needed in drastic situations - where impregnated staining is apparent, or where the surface features of a rarely-specified limestone require the use of specific surface sealants.

Besides working on existing limestone flooring which was laid some time ago (say three to ten years), the renovation guidelines are also suitable for refurbishing limestone flooring that has been incorrectly treated during new build and requires immediate renovation. All these products will work very effectively if combined with the use of slow speed scrubbing machines and wet-and-dry vac equipment. We can provide a separate specification sheet which gives the correct requirements for hire, set up and usage of such equipment.

(ii) Cleaning

There are several Lithofin products which will be successful on a high percentage of limestone floor cleaning projects. The most commonly specified product is Lithofin Wexa. This is a specially designed stripper cleaner, effective at dissolving all surface grime, dirt, wax and acrylic residues. Dilute 1:15 with water and apply with a hand held scrubbing brush or (for best results) industrial cleaning machinery. This will generally successfully clean 90% of surface residues. A stronger solution may be needed if there is a large amount of residue. If impregnated stains and blemishes are still present, they may be removed with the use of Lithofin Stainaway, a very strong solvent based material with special usage instructions. Please see the technical information sheet on this product. When the surface has been successfully renovated, make sure it is well rinsed with water. This ensures a neutral pH balance, allowing successful adhesion of whatever impregnator or sealant is to be used. The majority of limestone flooring will originally have been supplied with a honed finish. This machine finishing is delicate, so when using industrial cleaning equipment, you should normally specify a soft cleaning pad (these are usually white or red coloured). Never, except in extreme cases, use acid-based or highly alkaline formulations to renovate limestone flooring. This will inevitably remove the delicate machine finish that was originally part of the floor character. Restoring the finish will require diamond grinding machine finishing, which will be expensive and time consuming. In some instances a polyurethane or pure acrylic sealant may have been used on an existing floor. If this is the case, use Lithofin Stainaway in its concentrated form to remove surface residues. This is a long and arduous procedure and may require professional expertise or a second opinion in its operation.

(iii) Protection

For most original limestone flooring installations, the correct treatment will have been to impregnate the surface with Lithofin MN Stain-Stop, This is an all in one multi-purpose stain resistant finish that does not leave any surface residues and which has, if properly maintained, a longevity of three to five years or more. You may now treat the renovated flooring in the same way. Follow the guidelines for application given in the

In some extreme cases the limestone surface will be superficially rough, and will need a surface sealant following impregnation. Lithofin Multi-Seal. is a surface sealant designed to reduce the incidence of scuffing, to be as matt as possible in its finish and to synthetically reduce the abrasive roughness of the floor to make maintenance easier. It is highly resistant to abrasion an staining, but its precise longevity will depend on surface wear and tear.

(iv) Maintenance

In effect the customer will now have a brand new limestone floor, and the maintenance procedure will be similar to a new floor - see the Method Statement : New Build Method Statement Specification for Limestone Flooring. Use of Lithofin Easy Care and Lithofin Wexa will be more than adequate to successfully maintain the surface. Please refer to the maintenance guidelines and the products' instructions.

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.