EC Stone Flooring Applications:
In order to properly preserve your investment of our unique EC Stone system, we recommend taking care of all non-warrantied items on a quarterly to bi-annual basis depending upon what type of traffic your project yields. Non-warrantied items include: chips, gauges, scratches, hairline cracks, color change, extensions, and resealing applications. Eco-Colour Designs does warranty all of our workmanship into the system for 2 years. If the product has any dramatic lifting, not caused by impact gauges, we will come and repair those areas free of charge as well as any dramatic fading within the first year since in order to preserve color retention re-sealing is a must. Any instantaneous issues can always be evaluated at the time it is discovered and is likely covered in our warranty. Keep in mind we are very reasonable to work with and want your project to be a visual testimonial of what we do, this maintenance plan is put in place for our clients to have a system they are proud of while allowing us to be operational.
The unique properties of our EC Stone system are such that this product is incredibly durable and capable of handling much impact and wears better than other overlays such as epoxy (which will be talked about later). However, the product does have to be maintained and a simple resealing of the entire system is the best way to keep up its ease of cleaning, color, and luster. This re-sealing can be done by Eco-Colour Designs at a billable cost, depending on the amount of square footage and aggregate amount, or can be done by the client. Our sealers differ from each project, for example a pool deck sealer is different from a counter top and so forth. Eco-Colour Designs is available for questions on which sealer to use anytime via email or weekdays from 9 am to 6pm. The frequency of re-coating cannot be determined at time of application though an estimated guess is often given. The actual traffic, UV exposure, and other elemental variable to the area will determine the need for recoating based on the desired look of each individual client.
Next, it is important to highlight the fact that any concrete can chip, will crack with settling, or incur deep scratches depending on the abuse or repetition of a particular banging or dragging. EC Stone is not entirely impervious to such impact or settling; however, it is stronger and more resilient than traditional concrete/wood/marble/etc. Therefore, we recommend when chips, gauges, cracks, or deep scratches occur that before allowing it to spread like a cancer it is best for you to call and take advantage of the maintenance program. As with most floor coating, due to pressure and other solvents already saturated in to the existing concrete a 1% failure can be expected. Eco-Colour Designs is able to come patch and match most areas quite easily. Costing you very little in retrospect to having to re-do entire scopes because an open “wound;” which allowed other solvents or pressure to get beneath the system and cause a small chip to spread into a larger issue. Even hairline cracks, typically caused by large expansion joints, erosion, or failure of the substrate underneath, can be easily repaired with additional mesh and protective features once those settling points are determined; that is of course if they happen at all. However, it is important to point out that is not the fault of the applicator nor the product as we prepare all joints and possible weak points to the best of our ability. Therefore, once the root of the problem is determined and a repair plan is made our material and labor cost are billable typically for pennies on the dollar. For higher traffic areas such as industrial settings, dance floors, exterior walkways, etc is it suggested we return quarterly to annually to repair any and all chips/gauges and add a quick resealing coat.
After years of applying this wonderful solution, we have discovered certain tricks to maintain your finish. The following are a few items we recommend in order to reduce the need for touch-up repairs down the road allowing for maximum longevity and cost-effective maintenance of your system:
- Avoid roller chairs directly on the EC Stone system as the direct cubic inch pressure exerted tends to wear the top coat more quickly than the rest of the system. A simple solution is to put smooth mats on top of the floor then the chair on top of that. We have a few choice vendors that can even customize those mats to continue the branding of your space. Mats with spikes on the bottom are not recommended as a barrier between the floor and the chair wheels.
- The use of kick guards on the edges of stairs can be useful depending on what types of equipment may be brought of the stairs. Typical shoe traffic generally is not an issue; however, the continual impact of any metal or other hard objects being drug up the stairs would warrant kick guards or shields. This solution can be found at any hardware store and comes in an array of colors.
- Although the sealer coating we use is typically chemical resistant, it is important to point out any long term pudding or submersion of various solvents may result in a chemical breakdown of the coating and cause some failure. We recommend cleaning your system often and wiping up large puddles sooner rather than later. In the event failure does occur, we are able to come provide repairs at a negotiated cost based on the maintenance program.
Epoxy Flooring:
Epoxy coatings are a traditional solution for many applications most common include: car dealerships, garages, industrial settings, and salons. Though some of these floors receive more abuse than others, any gauge is likely to allow other solvents and chemicals seep under the coating resulting in a cancer-like spread of the gauge into a larger spot that the epoxy lifts off of. In order to contain these instances, it is important the client notify us and allow for us to spot repair as needed. Again this maintenance may be as frequent as a quarterly solution or an annual option to protect your investment. The cost for us to repair a few gauges rather than re-do an entire floor is a substantial savings and is strongly recommended for all epoxy systems.
Plasters and EC Stone Wall Applications:
Based on the reduced amount of traffic from a floor to a wall, typically these projects go an eternity without needing touch-ups or repairs. In the instance, however, some sort of impact occurs that results in the chipping or gauge of the material we are able to provide assistance in making that disappear. This type of repair is billable and is completed quickly from time of notification.
All and all, the product lines installed by Eco-Colour Designs are meant to be unique solutions from the most prestigious home builder to the more budget conscience remodeler/restaurant owner. Our decoratively durable coatings, however, do require proper maintenance and TLC to protect the investment the client put forth. It is likely, that a project may never need repairs or depending on the location of the system never need to be re-sealed. However, it is important for Eco-Colour Designs to educate our clients in the proper care of the systems as well as the best ways to preserve them if issues do arise. We look forward to forming a long-term relationship with all our clients and can expand on any of these points in person at our studio daily Monday through Friday; a set appointment is encouraged.
Enjoy your new look and design!
Eco-Colour Designs
