INFOMENTENANTA

A key step to sort out before starting any cleaning, sealing, or maintenance process on a surface is correctly identifying its type. It’s important to determine whether you’re dealing with natural stone (marble, granite, travertine, limestone, etc.), ceramic tile, or another type of material, since every surface needs specific care products and techniques.

Once the surface type is identified, the next step is determining its porosity level. This is an essential step, since it determines how much product is needed for protection and maintenance. Highly porous surfaces will absorb more product, while low-porosity ones will need less. To calculate optimal consumption, a simple absorption test can be done, applying a few drops of water to the surface and observing how quickly they’re absorbed.

The result from this test should be entered on the manufacturer’s or supplier’s website for surface-care solutions, where a specialized calculator can recommend the exact amount of product needed to cover the surface. This process helps optimize material use, avoiding waste and ensuring effective long-term surface protection.

For a precise estimate, see the LTP calculator (ltp-online.co.uk/26/coverage-calculator), available online, which will guide you in choosing the right products and quantities.

Quick test: determining porosity level

A “level” teaspoon of room-temperature water will show the surface’s absorption level.

• High porosity: Water absorbs within 5 minutes. 4 coats of sealant are needed.

• Medium porosity: Water absorbs within 15 minutes. 3 coats of sealant are needed.

• Low porosity: Water absorbs after at least 1 hour. 2 coats of sealant are needed.