Caring for Microcement Surfaces

How Long After Install can I Use my Microcement Surface?

You can start to use the microcement surface 48 hours after the final sealer has been applied.  It is important to note that whilst light use is fine, we would recommend doing certain activities until 14 days after the last sealer.  We’ve broken down some of the more common uses below & included an explanation of what care must be taken during these times:

48 Hours to 14 days After the Last Sealer Has Been Applied

Wet Areas: By this time, the microcement is sufficiently waterproof to allow for use of microcement showers & you can be confident that water splashes won’t cause any problems to the surface.  Take care to avoid trapping water against the surface for prolonged time periods – so no wet towels left on the floor, or wet shampoo bottles left on the side.

Fixtures & Fittings: You can also install fixtures & fittings, like 2^nd fix electrics and plumbing after 48 hours too.  Heavy work is not recommended during this time, but if it does take place then we recommend covering the microcement surfaces with a breathable material and only covering down whilst work is taking place.  The protection should lifted off for the majority of the time and certainly through the night. The surface needs to dry out and harden. If airflow is restricted, it could stain permanently & not cure to full strength.

Floors: During this time, floors should only be subjected to light foot traffic.  And no part of the microcement should be covered over for prolonged time periods.  Like all cementitious products, microcement takes time to full harden, which means it’s at it’s softest for the first 14 days. It needs to be keep well-ventilated so that air can freely flow from the microcement into the atmosphere as it cures.

Fixing to Microcement Surfaces

Microcement can be drilled and screwed into using bits that are suitable for the substrate. Any holes or cuts will need protecting from moisture penetration by either putting silicone into screw holes or by surrounding fixtures & fitting entirely with silicone. Use 100% pure silicone for this job, to ensure good adherence to the sealed microcement.

Care must also be taken not to scratch the sealers whilst installing fixtures & fittings.

No Dragging or Dropping

Dragging heavy objects over the surface, or dropping them onto the surface is not recommended at any time, as damage could occur. Lift furniture rather than dragging it & use lids or felt pads to protect flooring from pressure points or abrasive surfaces.

Microcement is strong, but due to its limited thickness, it will deform in the event of a strong blow if the support beneath deforms. Generally, abrasion and impact resistance is comparable with that of hard wood.

Stain Resistance

Chemical resistance depends on the sealer used to protect the product. Our sealers are among the best in the industry for both hardness & strength.  Products containing dyes & acidic or alkaline products like tumeric, vinegar, lemon juice or bleach, may leave slight marks on microcement if left on the surface for prolonged time. If cleaning is done quickly, they shouldn’t stain.

If water stains appear at any time, let the stain dry out & reseal immediately.  Stains may become permanent if not treated quickly.

Prolongued Exposure to Water

If water is trapped against the surface for a prolonged length of time it may stain & potentially cause the microcement to blister. It is not advisable to leave wet towels, plant pots, wet shampoo bottles etc. in direct, prolonged contact with the microcement.

Cleaning

Microcement surfaces can be cleaned with any pH neutral cleaning products, so most antbacterial cleaning products.

Do regularly not clean microcement surfaces with aggressive or descaling products, such as those which contain chlorine, bleach and ammonia as they can damage the sealers.

Microne surface can be cleaned with steam mops.  But we wouldn’t recommend using steam mops with Microdur surfaces.

Maintenance

Use Cemher Floor Protect every 2 -3 months to protect you microcement and to help build up the sealers. This specially designed product is formulated to maintain and protect microcement surfaces by waterproofing, reviving, and safeguarding previously sealed areas. It effectively restores minor scratches in floors without the use of wax, ensuring that the surface remains scratch-free when walked on.

To use, simply dilute 100ml of the product in 7 liters of water and apply it with a mop or cloth. For optimal results, repeat the application every 2 to 3 months.