The Bruul, Mechelen, Belgium

Surface Type: Portuguese Granite | Product Used: Acidic Cleaner, Alkaline Cleaner, Premium Impregnating Sealer, 40SK Consolidator & Water Repellent | Completed: September 2015

Applicator: Sealer Bvba | Email: info@sealer.be | Website: www.sealer.be

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THE PROJECT:

The Bruul, also known as Abbey Street, is a popular street in Mechelen, Belgium known for its shopping. It’s the main street in Mechelen that connects the Dijle river to the Grote Markt (Grand Place). The street was recently renovated and has sustained a lot of rust marks and stains as well as discarded chewing gum. Miranda and her team was tasked to clean the street and seal it before the reopening. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements for the project were:

• The sealer must provide long term protection against oil and water-based staining
• Protection against freeze-thaw spalling, efflorescence, and prevent rust marks
• The appearance of the surface should be maintained
• Sealer must withstand the heavy pedestrian traffic
• Sealed surfaces should be easier to maintain and clean
• Long lasting - eliminating the need for re-application

THE STAIN-PROOF^® SOLUTION:

Cleaning:

For cleaning, Miranda and her team have chosen to use STAIN-PROOF Alkaline Cleaner, formerly known as OXY-KLENSA™, a powerful, oxygen-based alkaline cleaner, for general cleaning and stain removal.

The rust marks that formed from the iron of the Portuguese granite was removed by STAIN-PROOF Acidic Cleaner, formerly known as EFF-ERAYZA™, a new-technology, safer-to-use acid. However, without proper protection, these rust marks will return. Acidic Cleaner was also used to remove any hardened cement that happened during the renovation.

Sealing:

The sealers chosen for this project were STAIN-PROOF 40SK Consolidator & Water Repellent, formerly known as DRY-TREAT 40SK™, and STAIN-PROOF Premium Impregnating Sealer, previously STAIN-PROOF™ Original. 40SK Consolidator & Water Repellent was used for areas that were exposed to water, to give the stone the added strength during the cold season, where freeze-thaw action occurs. Premium Impregnating Sealer was used for other areas. The sealers were applied with low-pressure sprayers.

Both Premium Impregnating Sealer and 40SK Consolidator & Water Repellent penetrate deep into the pores of the material, chemically bonding with the material. This means that the sealer will withstand the high foot traffic and maintenance of the Bruul. In fact, once cured, the only way to remove the sealer is to physically remove the part of the surface that has been penetrated by the sealer. Because of this, STAIN-PROOF sealers provide long lasting protection against water and oil-based staining and damage caused by water ingress such as freeze-thaw spalling and efflorescence.

Premium Impregnating Sealer and 40SK Consolidator & Water Repellent both come with a 15-year warranty if applied by an Accredited Applicator. The longevity of the sealers eliminates the need for re-application, reducing maintenance costs.