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.
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How fast do you need a reply from us
(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) A homeowner doing the project myself (DIY). A homeowner having my home done by another. A contractor doing a home project for a customer A contractor doing a commercial project A contractor specializing in commercial, residential, or new construction cleaning (including pressure washing) A contractor specializing in building restoration A building manager doing a commercial project in-house An architect or building design company An interior designer A home cleaning business A manufacturer or quarry seeking to protect, improve, or solve problems with products you produce. A building products distributor researching Aldon products for resale or problem solving on projects. I am seeking to protect art works - sculptures, castings, carvings, etc. Other profession category not listed above:
Square footage of project : ( Select one for product "quantity needed" estimates) Less than 10 square feet Between 10 and 100 square feet Between 100 and 500 square feet Between 500 and 1,000 square feet Between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet Between 2,000 and 5,000 square feet Between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet More than 10,000 square feet
SURFACE TYPE in this project area:
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: Has not been grouted or mortared yet, but will be. Will not be grouted or mortared - tight joints or sand in the joints or is a solid slab Has already been grouted or mortared.
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.) It does not darken underneath, including the grout. Some places darken and others do not , including the 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. It does darken underneath in all places tested
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:
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:
Prevent a problem from happening:
Correct existing problems or make improvements:
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. )
What part of the building is being treated? (check all that apply and include all areas of the project )
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:
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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