All About Sealers – How they Work and What To Expect

ABOUT PENETRATING TYPE (IMPREGANTING) SEALERS:

Penetrating type sealers sit BELOW the surface and do not leave a film finish on top. They will offer either a natural look  (in other words, the sealed surface will look the same as it did before you sealed it) or a colour enhanced look (in other words, it will bring out the colour in the surface without adding any sheen or gloss to the surface).

ABOUT COATING TYPE (FILM FORMING) SEALERS:

A coating type sealer on the other hand leaves you with a film finish ON TOP of the sealed surface. Coating type sealers will initially penetrate into the porous surface then start to build a film finish ON the surface to give you either a satin finish, a high sheen finish or a high gloss finish depending on your requirements.

The solvent and water only serve as “carriers” to help transfer the actual “sealer” into the porous stone, tile or grout. It is the quality of the polymer used in the sealer that dictates the quality, lifespan and performance. Water based sealers like Aqua-Seal Gold+ incorporate the latest C6 Fluoroploymer technology which outperform conventional solvent based sealers.

BENEFITS OF WATER BASED SEALERS:

• LOW VOC
• Non Toxic
• Non Yellowing
• Non Flammable
• Safe and Easier To Use
• UV & Chemical Resistant
• Utilise Latest Polymer Technology

Porous surfaces like stone, tile and grout can stain quickly and the stain can become deep, making it harder to remove. By sealing the surface, you reduce the porosity therefore slowing down how quickly the surface will stain (reaction time) and how deep the stain can travel. Sealers are not stain proof or water proof however by sealing the porous surface you help protect the surface from staining and also make the ongoing maintenance easier. The Sealers Plus range of Professional Grade Sealers are formulated to provide either a good, better or best type of performance based on the needs of the customer. The better the sealer then the better the protection, the longer the reaction time and the longer the life span of the sealer. Our Sealers are breathable (allow moisture vapour transmission), are UV Resistant and use the latest most innovative and safest technology available to provide the best protection against both water and oil based contaminants.

Penetrating sealers will:

• Allow the sealed surface to breath;
• Help Inhibit Mould and Mildew growth;
• Make cleaning and ongoing maintenance easier;
• Help reduce Efflorescence, Salt Damage and Mineral Blooming;
• Make the grouting clean up process easier (when used as a pre-sealer)
• Minimise staining from oil, food grease, grime and other water or oil based contaminants;
• Minimise staining from grout and adhesive during installation (when used as a pre-sealer).

Coating sealers will:

• Allow the sealed surface to breath;
• Help Inhibit Mould and Mildew growth;
• Make cleaning and ongoing maintenance easier;
• Help reduce Efflorescence, Salt Damage and Mineral Blooming;
• Make the grouting clean up process easier (when used as a pre-sealer)
• Minimise staining from oil, food grease, grime and other water or oil based contaminants;
• Minimise staining from grout and adhesive during installation (when used as a pre-sealer).
• Leave you with a film on top of the sealed surface that will give you either a satin finish, high sheen finish or high gloss finish depending on your needs.

Penetrating and Coating sealers will NOT:

• Last forever;
• Make your installation “Stain Proof”;
• Allow you to use any cleaner you want;
• Make your installation “Maintenance Free”;
• Change the character of a freeze-thaw or salt sensitive stone;
• Stop etching on calcium-based stone from acid based contaminants.