Products & Services

Ceramic Tile Treatment Information Sheet

When Slipsafe is applied to a ceramic tiled surface the following chemical reaction occurs. Existing pores within the surface are opened and then resealed just below the surface of the tile thereby creating thousands of little suction cups which provide a slip resistive effect to the surface when wet.

The surface has been chemically modified, quite simply we create a tread pattern within the surface, once treated with Slipsafe, the treated surface has been altered permanently to provide a slip resistive finish, this cannot be affected by harsh cleaning methods. A slight loss of glaze or colour may occur in some tiles with this treatment, a sample treatment is always offered to gauge this variation. We suggest you inspect the treated tile when wet and dry to ensure you are happy with the finished product.

As a simple comparison, if we drill small holes in a piece of timber, those holes will remain there either until the wood wears down to the level of the lowest hole, or we fill the holes up with a filler. The principal is the same. Once Slipsafe treatment has been applied then the surface is slip resistive for the period of time it takes for the tile to wear out, subject to those pores being kept open.
There is little or no change in the frictional value of the surface when that surface is dry however, an improvement of up to 100% in the frictional values of that surface when wet could be expected. In most cases a tiled area can be treated to conform with Australian Standard AS 4663 (2004), which requires a floor in a public access area to have a slip resistance factor of .4 (39) or better when wet or dry. The surface treated will remain slip resistive when wet for a period of two years in commercial situations, for five years in domestic situations
Or the effective life of the tile subject to the correct cleaning methods being followed. The difference in warranty periods is because Slipsafe has created those suction cups in the top of the tile, as the tile wears down, so does the effect of Slipsafe, in Domestic Situations this is rarely an issue, in Commercial Situations however the tile is subjected to a much higher rate of traffic and subsequent wear, hence the different warranty time.

CLEANING A TREATED SURFACE
It is important that a surface treated with Slipsafe is not allowed to become dirtier than normal or otherwise contaminated with dirt or in the case of Restaurant areas, food substances oils, fats and contaminates associated with the preparation of foodstuffs. To maintain a treated surface so that it remains slip resistive when wet, a non residue cleaning agent should be utilised. We can provide this or we will be pleased to recommend a suitable cleaning product applicable to your needs.

COSTING
Please call our office for a no obligation, free site inspection and quote for serviced areas