Maintenance

A small investment in maintaining your Castia Stone cladding system pays in the long-term appearance and protection of your home. With an investment as important as your home, we recommend that you inspect the sealants once a year and clean the surface thoroughly at least once every five years.

All installation and maintenance instructions must be followed or warranty may be void.

Visual inspection of house exterior

The purpose of the visual inspection is to detect potential problem areas which could allow water entry. Specific areas that may be problematic are addressed as follows:

Roofs

Ensure that all flashings are functional for proper drainage (away from and off of the roof).

Gutters and downspouts

Gutters and downspouts should be properly sloped and cleaned regularly.

Chimney

Make sure that water is directed away from chimneys.

Windows and doors

Check window/door frames for frame separation at corners. Check the weep holes to ensure that they are clean and functional. Check wood windows to ensure that exposed edges have been primed and painted. Check windows/doors to ensure that they have been caulked to the abutting cladding.

Penetrations, attachments and terminations

Inspect to ensure the presence of proper sealant joints and flashings.

Surface treatment maintenance

All Castia Stone is treated with a water repellant clear coat (Siloxane Sealer), or a color-seal stain coat prior to leaving the factory (unless otherwise specified). These coatings will lose their effectiveness overtime and may require re-application. The effectiveness of these sealants may also be compromised by climate conditions, chemicals and solutions used on other exterior applications of your home (e.g. windows and roof) or in the general environment.

If sealer needs to be reapplied it is recommended to use a Siloxane based sealer . Always try a test area prior to resealing an entire wall. Follow the cleaning instructions in this section prior to application.

Castia Stone does not apply anti-graffiti sealers. It is recommended that anti-graffiti sealers be tested on a sample piece of Castia Stone product to make sure they work in conjunction with Siloxane sealers already on the product.

Color variations in stone

Castia Stone products may have some color variations between pieces of individual stones. This is due to the naturally occurring iron oxides that are used to color the stone and the curing process that each piece of Castia Stone undergoes during the manufacturing process.

General cleaning

Removing dirt and airborne pollution

Light dirt or pollution can be removed by spraying a concentrated stream of water on affected areas. A garden hose and nozzle are usually adequate. For heavier buildup, first wet the area to be cleaned, then, using a solution of 1 gallon warm water and 1 cup of trisodium phosphate (or liquid soap such as dish washing liquid), lightly scrub with a bristle brush. Rinse with water. Do not power wash caulked areas.

CAUTION: If power washing by a professional, keep pressure under 1,500 psi and use cold, unheated water. Hold sprayer with a fan-tip nozzle at a 45º angle from the wall (not perpendicular) and keep spray tip at least 18” from surface. Washing any closer or harder will remove sand and possibly caulking from the joints.

Removing mildew And algae

Even though Castia Stone products include mildew-retarding agents, mildew and algae can grow when conditions are excessively warm and moist, especially if the area is shaded and prone to dirt accumulation.

A mild soapy solution may be all you need; however, you may need to increase the amount of soap for heavier growth. First, protect all adjacent plants and materials with drop cloths. After spraying the affected area with water, scrub with a bristle brush using a solution of 1 gallon warm water, 1 quart bleach and 1 cup trisodium phosphate or liquid soap. Rinse with water.

Removing rust and copper stains

You might find rust and copper stains around outdoor faucets. To remove these stains, use Sure Klean™ Ferrous Stain Remover or Sure Klean™ Copper Stain Remover T515 which are available at most hardware stores. Mix a solution of 20 parts warm water and 1 part Sure Klean™. Lightly scrub with a bristle brush and rinse with water.

Removing graffiti

Scrub with a soft bristle brush and a solution of 1 gallon warm water and 1 cup liquid soap. This may not work on oil-based spray paints. If this is not successful, contact your local paint distributor for additional recommendations. Always test any product in a hidden area to make sure that removal method will not damage the Castia Stone.
Castia Stone does not apply anti-graffiti sealers. Please see previous page for factory for recommendations concerning anti-graffiti sealers .

Efflorescence

Pre-cast colored concrete may or may not make natural changes over the life of the home depending on the climate conditions that exist your area. Efflorescence is a calcium stain that is emitted from concrete through its pores. Efflorescence may occur displaying some white powdery residue on the surface of the tiles and color may fluctuate and change, especially in the first six months after installation. However, it represents only a visual impairment.
If efflorescence appears it should be removed promptly in order to protect the color of the tile from fading. To remove use a soft brush or sponge to wipe off the white powder. Slightly wetting the brush or sponge may help with removal. Persistent stains can be removed with a 5:1 water & vinegar solution again using a soft brush. Always test a small area prior to applying any solution when tiles are clean and dried they should be resealed with an appropriate concrete sealer.

How to minimize cleaning

Site conditions can play a big part in keeping exterior surfaces clean. Bushes that have grown too close to the house can encourage mildew and algae growth, and garden soil can splash onto surfaces from rain or leaking gutters. To minimize cleaning and keep exterior surfaces clean, trim bushes to allow good air circulation, cover soil with mulch or stone, and maintain proper gutter drainage.

System care

Required repairs should be performed by a qualified professional.

Caulk replacement

If caulking needs replacing, carefully remove existing caulking and replace with an appropriate sealant. Caulking should be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s written application instructions.

Replacing sealant (caulking) around doors and windows

Maintaining a weather-tight seal around doors and windows is very important for any exterior cladding – whether it’s clapboard, shingles, stucco, brick or Castia Stone. Although the sealants are not part of the Castia Stone system, we suggest that you inspect the sealants once each year.

Sealant does wear with age, and cracked or dried-out sealant should be replaced. While applying sealant is not very difficult, we recommend having a professional do this important job to help ensure a neat appearance and long-lasting protection.

Product replacement

Replacement of one or more pieces of Castia Stone siding should be done in accordance with Castia Stone written installation instructions.