Casalgrande Padana

MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING OF THE FLOORING AND WALL

COVERINGS

Installation

The successful installation of floors depends not only on the quality of tiles but

on a combination of factors (bedding, binding layer, expansion joints, etc.) that

constitute a real system. That is why installation operations are to be considered

as important as the choice of tiles. However, based on the structure and

purpose of the flooring surface, the designer is still responsible for defining the

correct procedure to lay the tiles and selecting the ones to be employed.

When it comes to installation operations, Casalgrande Padana do not differ

from any other type of ceramic: either the traditional procedure envisaging

cement mortar or the procedure envisaging glues and adhesives may be

resorted to. We recommend using an installation system with an adhesive

according to the intended use of the room, type and characteristics of the

substrate, and size in consideration of the static/dynamic loads on the ceramic

tiles. You must first ensure that the substrate has suitable characteristics for

glueing ceramics, such as stability and dimensional regularity, rigidity, absence

of cracks, clean and intact surface, and absence of excess moist and/or

contaminants. Before starting the installation operations of any surface,

we recommend you make sure that the stoneware batch is adequate and

sufficient in terms of quantity, tone and calibration.

Moreover, all necessary norms and precautions need to be implemented for the

correct completion of the work (bedding preparation, composition of mortar or

adhesives, maturing period, positioning expansion joints, ramming, etc.).

If in case of large environments joints must be positioned at regular intervals,

in small environments a small gap between the tiles and perimeter walls is

sufficient: the skirting board will cover the gap and provide the finishing effect.

Avoid walking on the floor for at least 2/3 days after installation. If walking on the

floor is necessary, lay wooden planks on the surface. Even though Casalgrande

Padana tiles are very resilient material, they can be shaped or perforated to

install technical and sanitary systems, using appropriate equipment.

During laying operations, it is recommended to adequately protect the floor,

paying particular attention to products with a glossy or polished surface.

This protection must be maintained until the construction work is complete in

order to avoid damage caused by abrasive substances or other harmful agents.

Wet cutting or the score-and-snap method is also recommended.

Improper installation techniques may expose the installer to harmful silica dust.

Avoid dry cutting with powered tools.

Using dry cutting methods may expose to acute lung injury risks.

Wear a mask or respirator, if adequate ventilation cannot be achieved.

A Casalgrande Padana flooring or wall covering – whether natural, lapped,

gloss or polished – is synonymous with beauty, strength and a long life.

These surfaces are low maintenance and only need be cleaned as

described below.

First clean

The purpose of first-time cleaning is to remove any trace of cement

or plaster used to close the joints.

The flooring/wall covering is normally cleaned once before use.

This must be done before the flooring/wall covering is used.

Proceed as follows:

1) Sweep the floor/covering to remove the coarser dirt.

2) Dampen the surface with water so as to soak the joints, thereby protecting

them from the corrosive action of the acid detergent (descaling product).

3) Apply the detergent (see note A) in the concentration (water mixing ratio)

indicated by the manufacturer using a manual or motorised brush. Avoid any

contact between the acid detergent and the steel, aluminium, and natural

marble components near the flooring/wall covering.

4) Leave the detergent on as long as needed, depending on the condition of the

floor, then rub any stubborn dirt away (and scrape off residues

of mortar, plaster, etc.

...).

5) Rinse the flooring/covering with water and mop up the dirty water

immediately (manually or with a washer/drier).

If the flooring/wall covering is cleaned for the first time after being used, it is

important to use appropriate alkaline detergents (degreasing agents) before

applying the acid detergent to remove any greasy or similar substance (see

Routine Cleaning).

If necessary, you can repeat the first-time cleaning operations described above.

Polished, gloss and lapped surfaces

All polished surfaces tend to become more opaque with use. Because of

its outstanding technical properties, with Casalgrande Padana products

this process is slower than for any other natural material (marble, granite,

stone, etc.). However, to protect the floor’s shine for as long as possible, it’s

important to protect the entrance to the floored room, especially if it has an

adjoining outdoor area, with a doormat that can keep as much dust or abrasive

substances as possible off the floor.

A slight loss of shine after the first acid wash must be considered normal,

as it is due to the removal of the abrasive residues used for processing

the surface.

A) Here are a few detergents recommended for removing plaster residues:

Cement plaster joints – acid detergents (descaling products)

Deterprimo Plus (Casalgrande Padana), Deterdek (Fila),

Keranet (Mapei), Deltaplus (Kerakoll), Solvacid (Geal)

or similar detergents (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).

Epoxy plaster joints – alkaline detergents

Fuga-Soap Eco (Kerakoll), Kerapoxy Cleaner (Mapei),

Tile Cleaner (Faber), CR10 (Fila), Lithofin Resin-Ex (Lithofin),

Eposolv (Geal) or similar detergents (follow the

manufacturer’s instructions).

Routine cleaning

For everyday cleaning, all you have to do is wash the flooring/wall

covering with water and normal neutral detergents suitable for ceramic surfaces

(for wall coverings use a neutral detergent gel).

Make sure that the detergents do not contain waxy substances.

The surfaces of Casalgrande Padana products are practically non-absorbent;

therefore, the use of wax and/or silicone cleaners

is not required. These should never be used, as they create a superficial film

that changes the natural characteristics of porcelain stoneware.

Note that porcelain stoneware is resistant to any chemical, except hydrofluoric

acid, which eats into any ceramic, so it must never be used.

For any ingrained dirt or stubborn stains, spread the detergent with

the standard concentration on the floor and leave for at least 5 minutes, then

clean using a washer/drier or equivalent method. Floors of areas with high foot

traffic should be cleaned when the place is closed, so the floor will be dry when

it reopens. Otherwise, fence off the cleaned floor until perfectly dry. For larger

places, use a washer/drier to ensure perfect cleanliness and hygiene.

The flooring is to be considered clean when it returns to its original appearance,

just like new!

Anti-slip flooring

These surfaces are normally used in industrial or work environments

and require a few extra measures for their maintenance. For larger places, use

a washer/drier to ensure perfect cleanliness and hygiene. These floors can also

be cleaned using a pressure washer.

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