The information below applies to microcement finishes and systems only, as it is our flagship finish and trending, for any questions regarding other finishes, please contact The Artisan directly.

 

Microcement is known for its water resistance and easy cleaning. With the right maintenance routine and care, your microcement floors, walls, countertops, etc. will look great and last for years. Read on to find out how to maintain microcement and sealers, what cleaning agents are best suited, and how to reduce mechanical surface wear. 

 

​

Wait for the microcement, varnish and sealer to cure

    •    After another 72 hours, light traffic is permitted, but only after 14 days of applying the final             sealer (layer closing the microcement system), the surface is completely hardened and                 resistant to water, mechanical factors and use.

 

Before one week time is over, you must not place any heavy items on the floor nor soak the varnish. The entire curing time for a full microcement system will reach its full strength after 28 days.

    •    The full chemical cure can take up to 28 days to complete depending on atmospheric                   temperatures. During this time extra care should be taken to protect the surface from                     heavy traffic and abrasion. 

    •    No pressured water should contact the surface for the first 14 days after application. 

    •    Strictly no chemicals or cleaning agents should contact the microcement or sealer during             these 28 days. 

​

Use furniture pads, clean your shoes of sand, use cutting boards, etc.

    •    A microcement floor has similar resistance as wooden floors or natural stone. Therefore, it             is necessary to properly protect furniture legs. We always recommend placing felt pads to           evenly load furniture. We also advise against using metal furniture casters. However,                     rubber ones will be safe.

    •    It is also important to wipe your shoes and/or feet well and not carry sand or other                         impurities that might scratch or damage the surface as well as deposit into the natural                   pores and texture of the finish. We also recommend using chopping boards for                             microcement kitchen countertops.

 

Remove stains and any liquid spills immediately!

    •    If you accidentally spill red wine onto a bleached oak parquet floor or a carpet, you                       immediately remove the stain, right? Do the same if you happen to spill intensely coloured             liquids, sauces, water or oils onto any microcement surface. This applies primarily to                     kitchen, bathrooms and wet areas. Floors and countertops that are exposed to oil, wine,               coffee, vinegar or other stains. Stains on microcement surfaces must be removed                         immediately using a wet cloth along with the proper cleaning agent.

 

Have in mind that acetone, vinegar, and any aggressive detergents can damage the varnish layer and sealer, so never use them!

    •    To avoid soiling of the polyurethane sealers, a periodic cleaning schedule should be                     undertaken.

    •    Strictly no harsh abrasive cleaners to be used on finished surfaces, (natural cleaner based           on plant oils) should be used for everyday cleaning or when required. 

    •    Strictly no hair tinting within the space, same as natural stone applications these chemicals           will stain the surface.

    •    To help prevent cracking rapid changes in temperature and thermal shock should always             be avoided. 

 

Use agents suitable to clean microcement 

    •    Like any other materials and natural stone surfaces microcement gets dirty and dusty.                   Microcement surfaces need to be systematically dry vacuumed. For optimal protection, we           recommend to use  special agents for the care of concrete and microcement floors that do           not exceed the recommended PH levels , recommended PH level…( neutral ).

​

 

Renew

    •    As per any other porous materials and applications expect your surfaces to change                       slightly in colour and feel, this adds a wabi-sabi and minimalist character to the finish                   and space , overtime microcement/sealer may require renewal or after it has been                         damaged. Speak to your applicator if this happens and discuss future options. 

 

 

FAQ’s

 

Does microcement crack?

• Microcement should never crack on its own accord, if however there is significant movement or poor application within the substrate it is applied to ( eg. Bad framing, taping, surface preparation level, etc… ) the microcement coating could possibly crack. This is why it is essential that there is absolutely no bounce, flex, or movement in the substrate/sub floor which the microcement is to be applied to. (It is worth noting that this is the same for all flooring options such as tiles or natural wood, they will be susceptible to cracking if there is movement in the substrate, microcement is no different ) Please speak with your substrate and waterproof contractor to ensure applications are done correctly.

• One of the most vital aspects of microcement is the sub floor or substrate to which it is being applied to. A poor substrate can result in a poor finish or in the worst-case scenario the material will fail, (crack). 

• Make sure boards are firmly glued & screwed in place. Boards must be completely level with one another. Counter sink screw holes. This will also avoid micro cracking in the future.

 

Is microcement slip-resistant?

•   Depending on texture, material and sealer use it is possible to achieve slip-resistance. In       wet areas, pools, hot         tubs, showers, etc… we always recommend to install measures     and safety features as per any other wet environment, handrails, bars, handles,     etc. Also   have in mind that most surfaces can become slippery when wet,     specially when                 cleaning products, soaps or other slip materials are applied. 

•   Interior Wall Designs, related companies and applicators are not responsible for any sort of   incident or accident.

•   Always exercise caution.

    

Can microcement systems be applied over underfloor heating?

    •    On floor heating, cement, anhydrite screed or self leveler is usually laid. 

    •    Often, when the screed layer is bonded, turn on the underfloor heating to allow the water to           evaporate from the screed/self-leveller, etc. This should be done slowly, gradually raising             the temperature by 5 ° C a day, up to a maximum temperature of 23 ° C, then it is                           recommended to keep the temperature at 23 ° C for about 2 weeks. Then, gradually switch           off the heating to cool down. The whole heating process takes about 3 weeks, please                   consult your heating floor contractor as this process will vary according to the materials               used, thickness applied, etc.. 

    •    Substrate humidity should not exceed 4% prior to our application.

 

Is microcement mold-resistant?

    •    Microcement is very easy to clean, so regular upkeep and proper cleaning can keep your             microcement free of mildew, soap scum and mold as per any other surfaces, ventilation in           the area also plays an important roll as well as environmental temperature in order to                     keep the surfaces clear and clean.

 

What’s the thickness of microcement?

    •    The basic microcement system consists of an array of layers. The entire system is often 2-             4mm thick, 1/16” to 1/8”. Systems and applications will often vary depending on many                   factors, surface and the environment they are applied in.

 

Is the sealer food proof?

    •    Yes. The hardened/cured sealer is 100% safe. It can even be used to protect kitchen                     countertops and even dishes made of architectural concrete.

 

What effect will I get with an application by Interior Wall Designs?

    •    The effect you get on the floor or wall is an individual matter and results from the                           experience of the contractor / person performing the microcement.

    •    Remember that a special feature of microcement is its heterogeneous structure/mixture ( A           heterogeneous structure is a structure that has dissimilar components or elements, and                 appears irregular or variegated ). It is never possible to achieve a uniform surface in 100%           so as to give the microcement the appearance of floor paint or plastic. It is a natural                     looking texture applied the exact same way for thousands of years.

 

 

 

Each artisan achieves all finishes differently and each project will be unique. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that chafing, burns, visible trowel movements – are the most characteristic of this type of products and finishes.The effects of our applications can be found on our Social Media and can be provided in sample form at the time of the project.