DEVELOPED for the contract and landscape markets, LTP’s specialist ECOPROTEC range is said to include sustainable surface care products for all types of natural and engineered stone, in internal and external settings.

Treatments are made in the UK and reportedly benefit from the most advanced research in water-based technology – ‘combining high performance with low odour and low VOC formulations’.
To protect tiles and stone laid outside, as part of early spring landscaping projects, the ECOPROTEC range includes three sealers, a pre-grout protector for matt porcelain and a restoration treatment for faded dark pavers.

Sealing external stone and paving
The ECOPROTEC external sealer range includes three protective treatments: Ultimate Sealer, Patio Sealer and Colour Enhancing Sealer.

Says the company: ‘All three sealers are designed to protect all types of natural and engineered stone in outdoor settings, including smooth, honed, rough cut and polished surfaces. They each have a water-based impregnating formulation that strongly repels water, oil, dirt and grease, helps reduce efflorescence and allows the surface to breathe.

‘The difference is in the finish; Ultimate Sealer leaves the surface virtually unchanged in appearance; Patio Sealer provides a delicately enhanced natural finish and Colour Enhancing Sealer creates a more pronounced enhancement, bringing out the natural warmth, tone and colour pigment of the stone.’

The company continues: ‘Unlike film-forming or topical sealers which sit on the tile surface, impregnating sealers penetrate, react and line the open pores. They create a hydrophobic and oleophobic barrier that helps prevent deep staining and facilitates future cleaning and aftercare. Once cured, water vapour permeability remains, allowing transition of microscopic droplets of moisture. This helps keep rising salts down and allows residual moisture to escape.’

Protecting textured matt porcelain
Developed for use externally and internally, ECOPROTEC Pre-Grout Protection is a water-based ‘pre-and-post-grout’ treatment designed for unpolished, textured porcelain. This solution is designed to protect tiles from staining and reportedly allows easy removal of residues of cement-based grouts and two-part resin based jointing compounds, as well as stubborn organic matter.

Adds the company: ‘Creating a barrier, without forming a film or altering appearance, it helps improve and increase the working time of grouts and jointing compounds – and greatly reduces the risk of cement and resin staining. It also helps assist with future cleaning and aftercare.’

Restoring colour to faded pavers
Outdoor sealer and restorer, ECOPROTEC Black Stone Colour Restorer is a water-based impregnator designed for dark natural stone and artificial stone surfaces.

Says the company: ‘Fast and safe to use, it’s formulated to restore the appearance of faded limestone, marble, slate and concrete and to provide protection against the elements and staining.
During application, the treatment is applied in multiple coats until the desired colour effect is achieved – from grey to ebony. Once dried the sealer is then ‘cut back’ to remove excess, ensuring the surface is safe to walk on.’

ECOPROTEC water-based treatments are said to offer equal performance to their spirit-based solvent equivalents.

‘The water or spirit elements within a sealer don’t play a part in the actual protection,’ explained LTP’s Mark Atkins. ‘They just facilitate application and evaporate as the treatment dries.’

The company continues: ‘As well as providing a fast, safe and easy application, the treatments’ water-based formulations also make transportation/shipping and storage easier, and typically provide up to 50% greater coverage than a spirit-based solvent.’

Advice on-the-go
In addition to support provided by LTP’s in-house technical team, the ECOPROTEC Product Selector reportedly offers instant advice on surface care and treatment, for all types of tile and stone.

‘The free online resource – accessed at ecoproductselector.com – identifies the correct treatment according to surface type and symptom, with continuous updates to include the latest tile finishes and related issues. As well as providing support for contractors, installers and end-users, Product Selector is also a valuable retail sales aid and training tool.’
01823 666213
technical@ecoprotec.co.uk
www.ecoprotec.co.uk