SEAL OF APPROVAL Richard Osborne, LTP managing director, gives his top tips for looking after floors outdoors.
When discussing the best sealer for a job, it’s generally assumed that it’s for use indoors. After all, who actually seals a patio? It may get the occasional jet wash to blast away slippery algae but outdoor slabs are generally left to their own devices, aren’t they? This view is now, however, being reassessed and it’s driven to an extent by the popularity of the ‘seamless’ inside-to-outside installation.
When stone or porcelain tiles are used inside and outdoors, it doesn’t take long for the two areas to contrast. Generally, the indoor slabs are sealed and the outdoor surface isn’t, so it very quickly becomes darker, and dirtier. One reason for a reluctance to seal a patio is that traditional spirit-based products – often considered the only viable option – can only be applied when a surface is bone dry. However, high-quality water-based or ‘acrylic’ sealers are now equal to and often superior to their solvent-based equivalents.
Once applied and cured, water and spirit-based sealers function in a similar way; spirit and water-based solvents are simply used to facilitate application. As well as offering high performance - with low VOC’s and low odour - quality water- based sealers like LTP Mattstone H2O can be applied over residual moisture, making outdoor treatment more feasible. They also offer greater UV resistance, easier handling and greater coverage. A sealed surface will also require less cleaning, reducing water consumption and eliminating the need for more drastic intervention with harsh chemicals.
Existing patios and terraces will also greatly benefit from a protective seal. Before any treatment can be applied, the surface should be thoroughly cleaned to remove residue; a patio cleaner, like new LTP Blackspot & Algae Remover, will restore appearance before the surface is sealed and help prevent regrowth.
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PROTECTING PORCELAIN PATIOS Matt porcelain has become incredibly popular outdoors and it doesn’t need to be sealed – but it can be susceptible to staining. When using a brush-in jointing compound, it’s very important to keep the surface as wet as possible, so that any residue can be easily wiped away. Porcelain tiles can dry out quite quickly, causing an element of the resin to cling to the surface.
Whilst keeping the surface wetter for longer helps to improve and increase working times - and greatly reduces the possibility of grout and resin staining - problems can still arise. Dried-on compound can be difficult to remove and the textured nature of external porcelains also makes it more difficult to apply grouts and jointing compounds. To prevent these issues, we recommend LTP’s Porcelain Tile Protector - a water-based ‘pre-and-post-grout’ treatment that creates a barrier against stains and helps increase working times. It also makes ongoing maintenance easier, offering protection against dirt, moss and algae which can also quickly accumulate.
KEEPING SURFACES SHIPSHAPE To help maintain surfaces, fallen leaves should be swept up on a regular basis. Sycamores are a particular menace; aphids that live on the surface of the leaves excrete a sugary substance that provides a food source for algae. The combined sugar and bacteria leaves a telltale black spot stain and sometimes whole leaf prints on unsealed surfaces.
To clean slabs and remove slippery residue, choose a patio cleaner with a viscous formula to prevent run-off; once again, LTP’s Blackspot & Algae remover is a highly effective option. Treatment will also help prevent regrowth, saving time and money in the long run.
www.ltp-online.co.uk OUTDOOR INSTALLATIONS | 31
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