The Saltillo had a very dull, colorless appearance.
Notice the covered Saltillo (top) compared to the Saltillo exposed to the elements (bottom). In the middle you can see where water repeatedly pooled and dried.
The top portion had been cleaned, but not yet sealed. We were working on the mid section when this photo was taken. The bottom portion had not yet been cleaned. Notice the black spots and mold there.
The color enhancing sealer really improved the dull appearance of the Saltillo, as you can see in this AFTER image.
Here is a close up image of the Saltillo AFTER cleaning and sealing.
BEFORE (left) there were unsightly black spots and mold. AFTER (right) the Saltillo looked clean and beautiful.
Here is one more BEFORE (left) and AFTER (right) comparison to demonstrate the dramatic difference our services make.
Dull, Dirty Saltillo
A homeowner in Scottsdale, Arizona wanted to postpone replacement of the Saltillo tiles on his back yard pool deck and patio area, but in the meantime, he wanted the outdoor living and entertaining area to have a welcoming, attractive appearance. The Saltillo tiles were dull and colorless, and in some places where water had pooled, there were black spots and mold.
Our Saltillo Restoration Process
Before we started working, we moved furniture and potted plants and used plastic sheeting and masking tape to protect surrounding surfaces. Once our work area was prepared, we set to work. First, we acid washed and hand scrubbed the Saltillo to eliminate the black spots and mold. Our deep cleaning process removed dirt and grime from the surface of the Saltillo tiles, as well as the grout lines between the tiles, and prepared the entire surface for sealing. Then, we applied a professional solution called Dry Treat Intensifia to enhance the color in the Saltillo and inhibit staining.
To learn more about our Saltillo stripping, cleaning, enhancing, and sealing services, visit our Clay Tiles and Pavers Services page.
About Dry Treat
Most sealers and enhancers used on exterior surfaces in Arizona will break down and fade within a couple of years. The reason we prefer using Dry Treat sealers on exterior surfaces is that it can be expected to last much longer before another application is needed (although it is still recommended to be professionally deep cleaned every one to two years). There are some Dry Treat sealers that come with five, fifteen, or twenty-five year written warranties against the absorption of water and oil, but only if the sealer is applied by a Dry Treat accredited applicator and a regular cleaning schedule is maintained. Beyond Stone Solutions is a Dry Treat accredited applicator, and we will be happy to provide proof of treatment for your records, as well as answer any questions you may have about Dry Treat sealers and products.
