Saltillo, Mexican Tile and Brick Pavers are comprised mostly of clay or brick. They are very porous in an unsealed state. They can be cleaned and sealed in a few different ways while creating a look to suit any decor or use.
Saltillo, Mexican Tile, Terracotta and Brick Pavers Cleaning Stripping and Refinishing Services
Saltillo tile and terracotta tile are usually sealed with a topical sealer or surface coating upon installation. This protective coating wears out without periodic maintenance. When the coating deteriorates it will lose it’s ability to repel stains, oils, and dirt. For this type floor, staying ahead of the game with regard to maintaining them will only help you in the long run.
Depending on the current topical coating, stripping can involve many different products and difficulty. Many sealers require very caustic, solvent-based strippers for their removal, while others will strip using gentler water based products. It is here that Peak Floor Solutions expertise and experience comes into play: each job is different.
Slate services
The shale from which slate originate were deposited previously on clay beds. Subsequent earth movements tilted these beds of shale, at first horizontal, and the intense metamorphism that converted these into slates folded and contracted them. Slate, then, belongs to the metamorphic group of rocks and can be defined as a fine grain rock derived from clays and shale and possessing a cleavage that permits it to be split into thin sheets. INTERIOR use only slates are designates with an “I” or “interior” on specification sheets. EXTERIOR use is labels as either “E” or “exterior” on specification sheets.
Peak Floor Solutions method for cleaning existing Slate tile will depend on its current condition and what type of sealer was previously used. These are general methods and results will vary.
Bare (non-coated) Slate: We use light abrasives and a cleaning solution to loosen the dirt and debris from the stone and grout.
Previously coated Slate where the coating is still generally intact: We will use appropriate grit strength to clean surface dirt without removing the existing coating and prepare for a re-coat with surface sealer.
Previously coated Slate with coating breakthrough and bare spots: This will usually require stripping of the existing coating as much as possible and aggressive cleaning before it is ready for a re-application of a surface or penetrating sealer.
Sealing
Two sealing options: Penetrating sealer or a topcoat/surface sealer:
Penetrating sealers are clear and soak into the Slate with no change to appearance. The function of the penetrating sealer is to fill the pores and make the Slate less absorbent, keeping spills to the surface only. Keep in mind that all natural stone is porous; staining is still possible depending on what is spilled.
A penetrating sealer will help keep liquid spills on top of the stone rather than soaking in. It is important to note that penetrating sealers are not bulletproof, and all natural stone is porous. Staining can still occur depending on what is spilled.
Topcoat/Surface sealer will always impart some shine ranging from semi-gloss to high gloss. Many factors come into play when any type of topical sealer is planned. Indoor or Outside? Wet or Dry environment? Is slip resistance important? These are just a few questions that need to be considered on which sealer is best. One important item to consider, when you have a topical sealer, plan on maintaining the sealer.
Contact us today
You deserve to have your floors, countertops and other natural stone and tiled surfaces looking beautiful and elegant again. Professionally clean and enhance your surfaces so you can enjoy the everlasting beauty. If your having problems with tile and grout, or natural stone …we will get it looking clean and new again. That’s a promise! Give us a call today at (770) 499-1151 or click here to receive your free, no-hassle quote for service.