Cleaning Advice

01. CLEANING ADVICE GRES PORCELAIN PAVERS

GENERAL DIRT AND DEBRIS

When trying to remove dirt and detritus, the recommended way is by regular brushing. If by any chance the color of the paving becomes masked, we suggest scrubbing it with warm water and an acid-free detergent either by hand or by/with a domestic cleaner.

WEED CONTROL

There is no assurance that the Gres Porcelain Paver surface will be weed-free.
However, it is very rare for the weeds to grow through the Gres Porcelain Paver edge joints. Weeds can easily be pulled off the joints of the paving by hand. By removing the weed from the joints in the paving, some of the sand may be removed, and should be replaced as soon as the cleaning process is finished.
Regular trafficking by wheels or by foot can reduce the ability of the weeds to take over the area.
But in the less visited areas there are a few techniques to limit the possibility for them to grow:

Cutting the grass regularly disturbs emerging weeds and gets rid of them before they can establish themselves.
Using herbicides can be very effective at killing existing weeds and preventing them from growing for a period of weeks or even months. Using products that have been distinctively developed for use with paving or in gardens, since general herbicides may kill everything.
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POWER WASHING

Using power washers in a correct way can help to preserve the paving and keep it in good condition, however it is suggested to use a spraying movement when holding the power lance at a narrow angle, not directing the power lance directly on to the joints.

ACID WASHING

Stains that cannot be removed with the techniques stated above may require the use of specific acid cleaning treatments to remove them. However chemical cleaners must be used with great care, taking into consideration the percentage of acid concentration in the cleaners.

SEASONAL MAINTENACE

Based on the seasonal changes we have created a guide to help you maintain the porcelain paver slabs according to the different seasons.
In spring, after the winter months it is recommended to give the slabs a thorough clean after the winter months and ensure that all of the joints have remained intact.
During the summer, as the use of the paved area may increase in those months, regular checks are advisable. In the autumn months, trees and shrubbery will start to lose their leaves, it is best to keep the paved area clear from leaves, fruit and berries.
During winter the outdoor paved will receive very minimal use, it is best to remove any deposit such as snow and ice, as they can be dangerous when walking. It is very common for homeowners to use de-icing salts to facilitate their access to their property.
As an alternative, other de-icing materials may be used, such as purer marine salt, it is non-toxic but corrosive to steel and aluminum and can be harmful to vegetation, leaving a white residue on the pavement.

EXTRAORDINARY MAINTENANCE

Whilst porcelain pavers are exceptionally resistant to staining and generally need just a wash with water or with a neutral detergent diluted with water, more stubborn stains may require some additional effort to be removed.
Try to avoid the use of abrasive products such as scouring pads, steel wool pads or products containing strong acids or alkalis.
With difficult stains and dirt, use a mild alkaline detergent, rinsing well with water after cleaning.
For large surfaces, we recommend cleaning with commercial washer-dryer machines.
Please bear in mind that some types of dirt (sand etc.) can have an abrasive effect on the surface of the pavers that is exacerbated with foot traffic, so such residues should be regularly removed by sweeping, blowing or vacuuming.
For particularly tough stains that resist removal with simple water/detergent cleaning procedures, we recommend using specialized cleaning products such as Fila Cleaner or FilaPS87. For supplies, see their store locator here (www.filasolutions.com/us/store-locator.html).
For rust stains, Fila also has a more intense acid based cleaning product called Deterdek which contains high concentrations of surfactants.

02. STAIN

RUST

Iron rust stains are recognizable as they have a characteristic rust red/ brown color and by their proximity to steel or iron.
Household remedies such as lemon juice and vinegar may help in the removal of rust stains.
When using lemon juice, you should squeeze the juice directly onto the stained area and let it react for about 5 minutes, then scrub with a bristle brush.
Afterwards the area should be washed off with clean water. The same procedure should be followed when using clear or white vinegar.

FRUIT, BERRIES, LEAVES, OIL, BEER, WINE AND SOFT DRINKS

They do not leave any traces on the paving surface, they can easily be removed with hot water and detergent.

CHEWING GUM

Gum that has just been discarded, can be scraped off with a mechanical scraper, however, hardened gum can either be freezed and then chiseled from the surface or removed with hot water.

CEMENT, MORTAR AND CONCRETE

These types of stains are usually a result of contamination from other sources, and since they are generally insoluble, they require a suitable acid cleaner in order to be fully removed.

TIRE MARKS

Tire marks can usually be removed by steam cleaning.

PAINT AND INK

On most hard surfacing materials fresh wet paint should not be wiped, but absorbed with an absorbent material. Then a suitable solvent should be applied on the area, and afterwards washed with a de-greasing agent.
On the other hand, dried paint should be scraped off and a paint remover applied afterwards.

BITUMEN

Before removing fresh bitumen with a paint scraper or similar tool, the substance should be allowed to cool down. Ice can be used to make the bitumen brittle and facilitate its removal.
Afterwards any residue should be removed with an abrasive powder and rinsed with clean water. Solvents should never be used when trying to remove bitumen as it increases the size on the stains into the surface.

SMOKE, FIRE AND TOBACCO

They do not leave any stains on gres porcelain pavers.

EPOXY AND POLYESTER

Areas with solidified epoxy or polyester can be removed with a solvent. It is always recommended to test a small area before any large scale operation is undertaken.

COPPER, BRONZE AND ALUMINUM

Stains caused by copper and bronze are either green or brown. To remove them 1 part of Ammonium Chloride and 4 parts of whiting should be mixed, then adding Ammonium Hydroxide to form a thick paste.
Aluminum stains can be removed by washing with acid.

LIME DEPOSIT AND ATMOSPHERIC DUST

The material, if not cleaned frequently with a scale remover, may be of 1 or 2 lighter shades, compared to the original shade, after a certain period of time.
The drying effect of the water and the consequent deposit of lime scale contained in it, alongside air pollution and dust, can contribute to deposit a film on the slab surface, the problem can be solved with a proper acid-free product or a lime scale remover.

ACID RESISTANT

Resistant to the most common acids, such as vinegar, lemon juice, Cola (orthophosphoric acid) and hydrochloric acid.
These acids corrode the calcium in marble but leave no trace on ceramic surfaces. Not resistant to sulphuric acid damages.

NOTE

The above recommendations are the result of research, laboratory tests and experience from the field.
However, the suggested cleaning performance of materials can vary depending on the nature and location of the installation, the conditions of use, and the surface finish.
As a general rule, pavers with higher anti-slip properties are more difficult to clean than smooth surfaces.
Please note that Kronos will not be liable for any damage arising from incorrect installation of the pavers, improper cleaning and maintenance procedures, or incorrect choice of materials for the intended use.