How to: Clean | Seal | Restore

Quarry Tile - Traction Surface

Sealing - Cleaning - Problem Solving - Protection - Care

Raised Tread and Grit Traction Surfaces

Quarry Tile is one color of hard fired clay "through the body". It is not glazed and has very low absorption. This page discusses the enhanced traction type Quarry Tile. For regular surface Quarry Tile, see that page.

There is no need for confusion or problems brought about by misidentification of a surface type, yet it happens all too often. If you would like to see why this is the case and how to properly identify a surfacing material ..... Click here
If you are concerned about doing it yourself - consider that the satisfaction of a project is directly related to your knowledge of what needs to be done and how. Who actually does the work is less important. We estimate that 25% of the usage of Aldon products is by "do it yourself" homeowners and we know they are happy because we hear from them.

MATERIAL DESCRIPTION - With Identifying Characteristics

Typical absorption range = low

Testing your surfacing for absorption rate

Testing for acid sensitivity

Note this on your worksheet for later reference

Wide range of colors and textures.
Some are "flashed". This is a process in the kiln that results in variegated color.
Used in potentially slippery areas.

ADVANTAGES TO THIS MATERIAL

The great variety of colors and textures allow for a wide spectrum of design options.
A very hard and durable tile.

CONSIDERATIONS (All Are Preventable!)

(Click links for Aldon's solutions to these issues!)

The features that provide enhanced traction also make the tile difficult to install due to the entrapment of wet grout. Do not pre-seal. Prevent grout smears and keep grout residue out of any surface texture by coating with Aldon Grout Easy before grouting. "Grout Easy" is a water soluble coating that comes off easily while grout is being cleaned up with water and a sponge.
Do not use a sealer as a grout barrier (pre-seal). Prevent grout smears, surface scratching and keep grout residue out of surface texture by coating with Aldon "Grout Easy" before grouting. "Grout Easy" is a water soluble coating that comes off easily while grout is being cleaned up with water and a sponge.
Efflorescence (subsurface originating white powdery stains) can occur. This can appear even before installation. However, it is easily cleaned.
Colors can "fade". The appearance of fading is actually from light efflorescence and can be stopped by sealing with the appropriate Aldon sealer.
Some can scratch during installation, however, one of the "solvent-penetrating" sealers tends to make the scratches disappear.

Following are recommendations for products you may need (in sequence of use ) for whichever of the categories applies to you. Please review each and mark your printed worksheet accordingly.
Layed, But Not Grouted Grout Easy Efflorescence Treatment Grout Residue Remover (should not be needed after using Grout Easy)	Grouted, But Not Sealed Grout Residue Remover Efflorescence Treatment .............Sealer ( see below ) Lifeguard Care ...........	Sealer Has Been Applied Important! - First - Click here! Premium Stripper ...........Cleaners ? ...........Sealer ( see below ) Lifeguard Care ..........

Regarding The Sealer Results Shown Below - these pictures are using the same piece of tile to eliminate the variations between pieces.

An Aldon sealer does far more than just bead water and look pretty! To see what that is click here.

Your results may vary somewhat from these pictures due to variations in computer display and the surface materials themselves. Nevertheless, you will be able to see the differences well enough to make good choices. Different areas of the same piece are used as much as possible to minimize raw material variations. Of all the sealers Aldon manufactures, the ones shown are recommended as best suited to this surface type. (Important: If your project has had any sealer applied in the past, it must be evaluated differently. To see why, Click here!)

"Same Day Sealer"

Water Based - Penetrating Type

( Add to job list or order )

Picture is Quarry Tile - ribbed back

Left half sealed. Note high bead water drop at yellow arrow.
Right half is unsealed. Red arrow points to water drop spreading and soaking into the surface.
Sealed in one application.
No gloss created.
No color change.
Make sure your tile will darken under a water drop to confirm it has some absorption for the sealer to penetrate.