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Soiling of the MORTEX coating: causes and solutions
1. Causes of soiling
Fouling of the MORTEX COLOR 2-N coating is caused by a structured or highly structured finish. The MORTEX® product allows and accepts a wide range of applications, from super smooth to smooth, structured or even highly structured. The smoother the finish (closed), the lower the risk of soiling, as there are fewer micro-cavities for the deposit of fine dust.
For “technical” coatings (floors, showers, etc.), having an open-pore substrate (cavities) is already a deficiency in the application. This weakness hinders the waterproofing of the system, and the latter will tend to clog up in these areas.
In the case of structured floors, the dirt will tend to become marked more quickly, which is logical (the same can be said for all deep joints in tiles, travertine tiles, etc.).
The soiling will also be deeper in case of irregular, quick and/or superficial cleaning, which is normal. As the dirt builds up, it will become more tenacious because it will be in the form of dried sludge after the cleaning water has passed through.2. How to avoid soiling?
To prevent the coating from becoming dirty over time, smooth, well-protected finishes are ideal.
We always advise the installer to provide the end customer with a sample (minimum 80 cm x 80 cm) to be submitted for acceptance before starting the job.
Requests for structured floors in areas that are relatively prone to soiling (garden entrances, etc.) are not recommended.
On the last technical coat of MORTEX COLOR 2-N, a coat of MORTEX COLOR 2-F2 can be applied, which, being thinner, favours smooth and more closed finishes (without micro cavities).
The contractor (craftsman applicator) will take care to ensure that the appropriate protection penetrates any micro-cavities in the coating.3. Cleaning
If all the precautions described above have not been respected during the installation of the MORTEX COLOR coating, a fouling may have been created in the pores and micro-cavities left in the coating. This is an accumulation of fine dust that settles to the bottom of the cavities and will not be removed when water is first applied to the surface!
To obtain a thorough cleaning, we recommend moistening the surface with water at room temperature. The capillary action of the dirt should be allowed to act for the necessary minutes so that it softens and can be more easily removed by lightly wiping with a soft brush, which will remove the residue that can be picked up by a cloth.
Repeat the operation if necessary.