Stone Protection Products

REASONS TO SEAL STONE SURFACES AFTER CLEANING

Sealers should be used after the stone cleaning process to close up the pores of the concrete or stone, in order to prevent the penetration of water and oil which act together to stain the stone again. Sealers will help keep stone cleaner for longer and help to protect from water damage, therefore, prolonging the life of the material.

When restoring stone, it is always important to identify the cause of the stain, and prevent the stain from reoccurring at the source. After restoration, and curtailing the source of staining (if possible), it is important to protect the surface in order to help prevent future restoration.

• Prevent the need for frequent pressure washing – Sealed stone stays cleaner for longer, and resists staining and discoloration.
• Guard adjacent materials from mineral leaching – Excess minerals leach from precast onto architectural glass, metal, and other materials where mineral stains are form relatively quickly. Sealing your precast keeps adjacent windows looking cleaner for longer.
• Prevent oil, water, and stain penetration – Many types of soils can adhere to stone surfaces: vehicle exhaust, tree sap, fluid from leaking vehicles, and many other environmental contaminates.
• Prevent mold and mildew – Sealing stone material prevents the penetration of water. Without water, green and black algae stains are unable to develop as they normally would.
• Avoid water damage – If water is allowed to penetrate your precast, it starts to erode the bond that holds the stone together. This is especially damaging during winter months as water freezes and expands, compromising the strength and bond of the manufactured stone composition. This causes cracks, and even separation of material components, and is extremely expensive to repair. In situations with precast panels, water damage normally only occurs at the surface level, therefore requiring a product designed for superior surface protection.
• Protect your steel components – If water is allowed to penetrate your concrete, and is exposed to steel components that hold your building together, they will start to rust. This can cause structural damage and material staining.

SELECTING THE RIGHT STONE PROTECTION

There are many different types of water repellant materials available today. Silanes, siloxanes, silicones, acrylics, waxes, epoxies, siliconates and fluoropolymers; just to name a few. In addition, many of these materials can be mixed together to create a totally new material for use on various surfaces. It is important to not only chose the correct product for the required application, but to also ensure that the product is applied properly. 

Presto is the first company in the world to create an exclusive line of products to specifically combat the problems involved with precast leaching onto, and staining, adjacent glass and metal surfaces. 

Below are links to our suitability charts for cleaning and sealing many different types of stone materials. These charts will guide you to the product best-suited for your specific stone restoration or stone sealant need.