Limestone Tile and Grout Sealer

The longevity and usefulness of limestone tiles can be extended if it is effectively sealed against the ingress of damaging liquids and minerals.

Many older buildings have durable limestone flooring. This is the chalky porous type typical of most French and Spanish limestone. Etched by acids, including soft drinks. Absorbs oils and other liquids and is more easily stained than marble. Composed of Calcite and some Magnesium. Common colors are black, gray, white, yellow and brown. Has a smooth granular surface. Varies in hardness. Should be sealed with a penetrating sealer to prevent staining and reduce soiling. Should only be cleaned with neutral pH detergents. Because it is soft, it should never be cleaned at pressures above 800 PSI and then only if the grout is in good condition.

Professional regular maintenance will be required to maintain its honed or polished appearance. Limestone looks best with a honed or low/medium sheen appearance however many people insist on a high shine finish. Limestone will never have the gloss of marble or granite. Some low calcite limestone can be extremely difficult to polish and therefore vitrification would be required. Vitrification however can give the stone an unnatural plastic appearance if repeated too often.

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All limestone is highly porous - a tablespoon of water on a limestone surface will be absorbed in seconds, although it does vary in porosity from piece to piece. Porosity is also affected by its finish - highly polished limestone is a little harder to penetrate than limestone with a honed (matt) finish.

Due to its high porosity it is particularly important for limestone to be sealed with a high quality impregnating sealer which will not affect its slip resistance or look. Limestone is used both outdoors and indoors, and our impregnating sealers will seal limestone equally well in either.

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Limestone can be difficult to maintain if a proper maintenance cycle is not put in place from the point of installation. As it is usually not polished, the problem of scratching is not as big an issue as it is with marble, however if proper barrier matting is not introduced even a honed surface will lose its attractiveness. The most important factor to consider with the maintenance of limestone is the possibility of staining.

Limestone's calcite composition makes it susceptible to acid attack from spilt food and drink. Its high porosity can also mean oil will permeate the surface and leave staining if it is not properly sealed with a penetrating / impregnating sealer.

1. Any surface to be sealed should be clean and looking just as you want it before it is sealed - it may be impossible to remove stains after sealing without having to strip the sealer again. Acidic cleaners should not be used on limestone as it will damage it.
2. Limestone must have no other coating such as wax or a topical sealer before it's sealed, so any such coating must be removed before sealing.

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3. Floor must be thoroughly dry before applying any sealer.

Our Limestone Floor Restoration service will bring back your limestone tiles & grout to its best possible condition, and protect them for years to come.

It is very difficult to seal limestone against acid attack.
Limestone and other calcite based stone such as marble and travertine are prone to acid etching. Limestone is immediately 'etched' (eaten / corroded) by any acidic material on contact - including lemon juice, cola, wine and champagne. For this reason the honed (matt) look is popular, as it doesn't show the matt etch marks as much as polished limestone. In any case, acidic substances should be cleaned up as soon as possible, and limestone should not be used outdoors in areas where there is acid rain.

Limestone is a very hard tile to keep clean especially if it is not sealed. It does not go good in wet conditions so the best way to take care of youre Limestone is to get sealed.

Do’s:

• Clean spill-ups right away
• Seal limestone floors since it’s made from natural stone
• Place a mat at each doorway
• Use a Microfiber mop to clean floors
• Clean floors regularly

Don’ts:

• Never use bleach, ammonia or vinegar to clean limestone floors
• Don’t use cleaners that are acidic
• Never use an abrasive cleaner or scouring pad.

It is very difficult to seal limestone against acid attack.

Limestone and other calcite based stone such as marble and travertine are prone to acid etching. Limestone is immediately etched (eaten / corroded) by any acidic material on contact, including lemon juice, cola, wine and champagne. For this reason the honed (matt) look is popular, as it doesn't show the matt etch marks as much as polished limestone. In any case, acidic substances should be cleaned up as soon as possible, and limestone should not be used outdoors in areas where there is acid rain.

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We provide specialised cleaning, stripping & sealing solutions for limestone floor surfaces.

Our equipment can handle both domestic and commercial cleaning jobs, leaving your floors spotless and hygienic.