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Request for project assistance

This process of assisting you is much faster if you answer all possible questions below.  It will only take you 3 minutes to check some boxes. 

We are usually able to answer you within 2 business hours, so please check your email soon.

 

(Hint: you can use the "tab" key to jump to the next field)

How fast do you need a reply from us
Your FIRST name:
Your LAST name:
Your city:
Your state/province:    
Your email: >>Any spam filter on your computer must be set to allow emails from "@aldonchem.com" or you will not receive our reply.
Your company name::  
Your company web site:
http://www.

(during business hours) : (select one)
Anytime during this or the next work day will be fine.  (Check back in two business hours as we can usually respond that quickly.)
Urgently needed - I will be checking my computer for the next hour (if during business hours).
         (Urgent because project is in progress and halted, or must get started right away to meet timing deadlines
          and cannot wait until the next day.)

Please note: if you will be inquiring about more than one surface type project area, send us this form with information about only one of them.  Then send in the form again with information about the next one.  Otherwise, our suggestions will be confusing.

You are: (select one)













           Other profession category not listed above:

Square footage of project : ( Select one for product "quantity needed" estimates)







SURFACE TYPE in this project area:

  1. Please see  Surface Types  for your surfacing to confirm it is what you were told.  It may be different than you thought and that is very important to your choices.
  2. Your project may fit more than one of the below categories so be sure to select all that apply on this project because we will be telling you very important things about each of these selected.
  3. If you have more than one project area with different surface types or needs, keep them separate and send in another form so that each form deals with a unique area. This will eliminate confusion.

Brick,clay - medium to high absorption (all brick uniformly darken and absorb a water drop in a few seconds)
Brick,clay - low to very low absorption (all brick uniformly darken, but it takes a minute or more for a water drop to absorb)
Brick,clay -soft, old or the "Used" type - high absorption ( all brick absorb a water drop immediately)
Concrete block, tile, or concrete brick - always highly absorbent.
Concrete paver or clay brick paver for driveways and patios - usually sanded joints.
          Concrete pavers are a dense, lower absorption product. Clay pavers can be very absorbent.
Concrete slab - with or without color treatments (integral, acid stain colorants) - outdoors or indoors
Concrete, stamped with a pattern - usually colored - outdoors or indoors
Concrete slab, exposed aggregate - outdoors or indoors
Granite - polished - no absorption
Granite - honed, flamed, sand blasted - low to high absorption
Grout or mortar only (not treating the surfacing material)
Grout or mortar (and treating the surfacing at the same time)
Grout: Project includes Grout  with additives (name like "poly..", "modified", "fortified", "stain resistant", etc.)
Marble, Limestone - polished - no absorption (Marble and Limestone are the same material)
Marble, Limestone - honed - low absorption (Marble and limestone have the same concerns)
Marble, Limestone - travertine, tumbled - (These types add some other issues to consider)
Stone, Natural - medium to high absorption darkens and absorbs a water drop  in a few seconds
       (i.e. flagstone, sandstone, Bluestone, some limestones)
       To prevent confusion - It really helps if you give us the type or name of the stone:
Stone, Natural - dense, low absorption (i.e. slate, quartzite, river rock, some limestones and travertines)
       To prevent confusion - It really helps if you give us the type or name of the stone
Stone - man made from cement - Cultured Stone is a common term for this product . (if you can't tell from
      natural stone: cement fizzes on contact with a drop of pool acid unless a sealer is present. )
Tabletop, island, or counter of stone, tile, marble, slate, limestone - outdoor or indoor
Terrazzo or Agglomerate - tiles or large section poured in place slabs
Tile, metal - copper, stainless steel, mild or cold rolled steel, brass, etc.
Tile, metallic glaze - not metal, but can look that way. A metallic glaze on a clay body.
Tile, non-absorbent: porcelain (inc. "stone looking"), mosaic, kiln fired glazed, or other
       that does not darken from a water drop.
       To prevent confusion - It really helps if you give us the type or name of the tile
Tile or other, pre-sealed (sealer applied by the factory, the seller, or the installer before grouting.)
Tile, quarry tile type
Tile, absorbent - will darken from a water drop (i.e. Mexican Saltillo tile, terracotta tile, many others
       including some represented incorrectly to be non-absorbent)
       To prevent confusion - It really helps if you give us the type or name of the tile
A surfacing not listed here called   Include every descriptive name you were given, but remember it is the true tested absorption that determines the sealer choice first, then the appearance and other goals from there.   You can also see "Surface Types" to find a type that has characteristics as close as possible to yours.  This will give you a starting point to begin testing.

This surfacing:


Absorption Characteristics that exist now in the area to be treated?

Note 1: Any amount of darkening means the water is absorbing. Therefore, so will a staining liquid. Therefore, it should be sealed. Remember, there is a difference between a sealer having been applied in the past, and the concept that the project was actually sealed then or now.
Note 2: You will see reference to a "water drop absorption test" in numerous places.  It is described here and is something you should do before submitting this form and deciding on a sealer.

What do you see after one minute when you put a drop (only a drop) of water on the surfacing? (Do this randomly in multiple places of surfacing and grout.)


              For example: no darkening on tile, but does darken on grout - or some tiles darken and others do not
                - or some grout sections darken and others do not.

Sealer History:  Has this project had a sealer on it anytime in its history? "YES" means it MAY need to be removed before applying a new sealer or coating. (See Problem Solving - "Redoing a Previously Sealed Surface").
Notes:

  1. Contrary to some opinions, acid does not remove (strip) a sealer and should not be used inside a house.
  2. When silicone or fluorochemical type sealers have been applied in the past, they can be difficult to remove completely. After stripping, test with water drops. If the water drops darken underneath they are penetrating and then it is reasonable to assume one of our highly penetrating solvent based sealers will also penetrate enough to achieve a good bond. However, test first.
No - sealer has never been applied and I know from personal observation - including watching the installation process and asking the installer if something was used as a grout release (to make easy cleanup).
No - sealer has never been applied according to the installer, the factory, or the seller.
No - but the installer said they used a "grout release". ( A non-Aldon grout release is typically a weak sealer and that creates issues.  If their label mentions some stain repelling type qualities, you have some sealer there.)
No - and there is nothing on the packaging to indicate sealing by the manufacturer or seller was done.
Yes - I saw a sealer applied
Yes - I did not see it, but they tell me a sealer was applied
Yes - I can see the sealer peeling off or turning color or otherwise failing.
Yes - But, what was used was oil (linseed, motor, etc.) AND/OR wax.
Yes - a sealer is there and working fine. It beads water and looks good.
? - I have no idea if a sealer has ever been applied.

What are your goals for this project?   (Check all that apply)

Results from an Aldon product not what you expected?: If your inquiry relates to you having used an Aldon product and the results were not what you expected - do not worry. It means the job conditions were not what you thought because the products really do exactly what we describe.  The thing to do next is go to  the products list page - select the product - go down the page and click the    button.  If that page does not answer you immediately, you have something very unusual.  Do not continue with this form. Back up and select the form for when an Aldon product has been used..

Cleaning:
Clean oil or grease stains, and all other typical stains from food or other spills, glass rings.
Clean white powdery stains that have come out of the surfacing (efflorescence) and are not from
    an old sealer coming apart.
Clean white powdery stains that have been deposited on the surfacing (mineral deposits).
Clean smears on tile/brick that were left from the grouting process
Clean mineral stains (rust, etc.) coming from within stone
Clean algae or mold stains (black, green, brown discolorations)
Clean and restore original grout condition
Remove old sealers, coatings, paint (inc. epoxies), very severe stains, etc.

Prevent a problem from happening:
Stop efflorescence (white, powdery stains coming out from within the surfacing)
Stop mineral stains (rust, etc.) coming from within stone
Stop surface damage created by freezing of subsurface moisture (spalling)
Protect the surface from all stains (spills, pets, food, etc.)
Install tile / stone / brick without needing harmful acid cleaning of grout scum residue
Never have to seal it again and/or protect from traffic wear
Achieve lowest maintenance level - click here to see Aldon Problem Solving section for "Floor Care Program ")

Correct existing problems or make improvements:
Strengthen weak areas, stop powdering, flaking, and holes appearing (not grout cracks).
Cracks in grout and/or surfacing .
Make dull colors come alive, blend together color differences
Too late. You did not know about Aldon Grout Easy and now you need to remove the smears from the grout residue
Improve a dirt grabbing texture to make it easy to clean.
Keep sand/stone dust from coming out of paver joints (joint stabilization) - seal at the same time
Repair scratches, etch marks, etc. in marble and limestone
Fix white or hazy patches
Repair a color tint effect or create a color tint effect before sealing or during sealing.
Leaking?  Sealing to mitigate or stop water intrusion.
Slippery?  It is not sealed and is a fired glaze type surface that is too slippery, especially when wet.
SlipperyIt is sealed and is now too slippery, especially when wet.

Sealing - how do I get the effect of:   (Note - Aldon sealers do not break down, and if applied per
                 label directions will last many years. )
Seal without changing color
Seal and enhance colors
Seal and achieve the "wet look"
Seal without adding gloss
Seal and create a little gloss (matte finish)
Seal and create a medium gloss
Seal and add a high gloss
Seal and not make it slippery when dry or wet

What part of the building is being treated? (check all that apply and include all areas of the project )
Flooring / paving Wall Ceiling  
Indoors Outdoors Patio / walkway Deck above ground level
Shower / tub Driveway pond, waterfall, fountain Deck at spa / pool / hot tub
Kitchen (floor and/or counter tops) Bathroom Garage floor Other:

Which picture of an Aldon sealer on your surfacing material in the  Surface Types section shows the finished look you want, or close to it? (You can select more than one) All Aldon sealers resist ultraviolet rays and sunlight damage and are used indoor/outdoors.  All resist stains.  They vary with other characteristics (color enhancement, strengthening weak surfaces, stopping efflorescence, and gloss level) effects. None are flammable. None break down and require reapplication in a year or less as with most other companies sealers.
Same Day Sealer
Crystal Glaze
S-B-S Sealer
Porous Stone Sealer
Mexiglaze
Fine Stone Sealer
I do not find the look on my surface that I want. I want the look to be

Other miscellaneous questions you might have:
How do I calculate the quantity I need?
How do I acquire Aldon products locally?
Can you recommend a contractor who uses Aldon products in my area?
How do I acquire material safety data sheets (MSDS)?
How do I find product pricing & shipping cost, product container sizes, quantity needed guidelines?
Questions about a sealer breathing out moisture ?
Questions about a sealer resisting break down (from sun uv rays, temperature, time, etc.) ?
I am concerned about health issues using chemicals - to myself, adults, children, pets. ? (fumes, allergy, etc.)
What are the sealer considerations with in-floor heating systems or for use around wood stoves/fireplaces?
How do I match up a new batch of the same surface type to the old installation (old sealer, color, gloss)?
How do I match up an Aldon sealer to another companies sealer on an adjacent section (color & gloss)?
Can I install a new surfacing on top of my old (vinyl, ceramic tile, etc.) one ?
Can you identify my surface type if I send a picture?
Which product do I use first, how long do I wait, what tools do I use, how do I prepare the area, etc.?

The questions above give us the basics we need to understand the nature of the surfacing, any problems you are having with it, and what it is you want to accomplish. This space is for anything ADDITIONAL that you think is helpful.

Aldon's terms of service for technical support:

Aldon can only assume that the information you provide herein is accurate.  Based on that information, and any information later provided to us, we may make certain suggestions as to products and/or techniques to test.  Aldon products do everything we describe, but only your testing will give you the information to decide if the products will do what you want. If you do not see the results you expect from testing, that is a benefit.  It tells you your diagnosis may have been incorrect, or conditions exist of which you were not aware.  We will assist you when you then give us feedback on the results.  All of Aldon's terms and conditions of sale as posted on the web site apply. Suggestions from Aldon stemming from this request for assistance do not effect those terms and conditions of sale.


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