FAQ
INVISATREAD FAQ
Is InvisaTread a coating?
NO. InvisaTread is a mild acid etch designed to microscopically change the coefficient of friction (slip resistance) of most tile.
Is InvisaTread safe to install?
Like any specialty chemical, it needs to be treated with respect. InvisaTread is no more toxic than household bleach. Basic precautions of gloves and splash goggles are recommended.
Will InvisaTread wear off?
Typically NO. InvisaTread is NOT a coating. It is a treatment that will permanently microscopically alter tile. A few things can reduce the efficacy of the treatment. If the microscopic etch is “filled in” with grease or grime, it will temporarily reduce the enhanced friction. Cleaning will fully restore the treatment. The InvisaTread treatment can be reduced should the tile “wear” down. As it would take significant pedestrian or vehicular traffic to wear down tile; the treatment should remain effective for several years if not close to permanent.
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What type of tile should I not use InvisaTread on?
InvisaTread will hone or tarnish marble, limestone and other natural stone. It is ideally suited for porcelain and ceramic tile. InvisaTread can be used on some polished porcelain tile but could potentially haze the surface. It is important to test polished porcelain carefully as the treatment is permanent.
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Where should I use InvisaTread?
InvisaTread is ideal for most tile surfaces. Anywhere you might encounter a slippery floor is perfect to treat. Bathtub, showers, bathroom floors, mud rooms, restaurants, night clubs, swimming pool cabanas, locker rooms, pool decks and more.
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Can I control how much friction InvisaTread creates?
YES! Unlike competing products, InvisaTread is mild and controlled. It is designed to work slowly. The longer it sits on the surface, the more friction it will create. Sometimes, you may have to treat twice in order to achieve the friction you desire. Basically, the more slippery the tile starts, the longer you will need to treat.
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Will InvisaTread hurt my grout?
NO! InvisaTread has been lab tested to not produce any worm holes or weakness in grout. It will deeply clean the grout as an acidic product. After treatment, you might notice some white residue on the grout when the floor totally dries. This can be removed with warm water or in some cases a mix of vinegar and water. It is just a soluable salt that is left.
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How do I maintain a treated surface?
Simply clean the surface as normal with a cleaner that won't leave a residue. We recommend TractionWash. In spaces that get very contaminated, we would always suggest using extraction.
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Can I measure how much friction is created?
YES! Friction testing services can be performed. BOT 3000E units can also be rented to document a change in friction.
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Can I save money on my insurance for treating with InvisaTread?
POSSIBLY. Some clients have seen a reduction in rates. Many have seen greatly reduced or eliminated payouts on future accidents by eliminating gross negligence claims. Implementing a "best practices" program of enhanced friction can help.
What is COF?
To understand how lnvisaTread® works, first we have to understand Coefficient of Friction (COF).
Definition of Coefficient of Friction (COF):
The measurement of resistance to friction as related to the effect of how smooth or rough a surface is to prevent material to "slip" across the surface. COF is measure two forms:
• Static COF (SCOF): the force applied to start moving
• Dynamic COF (DCOF): force applied when moving
Industry Standards:
Passed in 2012, the ANSI 137.1 DCOF Standard for Tile is the first industry standard to define a method for testing and minimum threshold for friction.
This new standard calls for:
• Measure greater than .42 wet DCOF
• Device BOT3000
• Method using the AcuTest
• Additional specification information to maintain and/or enhance COF (as needed)
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The lnvisaTread® family of slip resistant solutions help reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents at home, work or play. lnvisaTread® is a revolutionary micro-etching solution that makes tile, stone and other mineral based surfaces less slippery by cleaning out and creating new micro-pores in the surface, increasing the Coefficient of Friction (COF).
Etching tile has had a history of tarnishing and creating hard to clean surfaces. lnvisaTread's® innovative formula does not alter the look or feel of most surfaces, creating the perfect blend of traction and cleanability.
lnvisaTread® is NOT a coating, so there is nothing to wear off, nothing to re-apply! The only way to degrade the effectiveness of the lnvisa Tread® treatment is to fill in the micro-pores with dirt, waxes or film forming sealers, or physically grinding down the surface. So just keep the surface clean with a non-residue forming cleaner/degreaser like TractionWash Tile and Grout Cleaner and the lnvisaTread® treatment will be effective for years.
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InvisaTread® is formulated to increase WET DCOF to:
• >.42 -Dynamic COF (DCOF) InvisaTread® is not a coating, but rather a safe and effective micro etching process that works on most hard mineral surfaces without changing their look, feel or color.
Treatable surfaces include:
• Porcelain
• Ceramic
• Honed Stone
• Polished Concrete**
• Slate
• Glazed Brick
• Sautillo, and more....
*InvisaTread® is Not for use on Polished Marble, Polished travertine or Polished Limestone ** Contact Surface Solutions about The Embedded Etch Process
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The InvisaTread® family of slip resistant solutions help reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents at home, work or play. InvisaTread® is a revolutionary micro-etching solution that makes tile, stone and other mineral based surfaces less slippery by cleaning out and creating new micro-pores in the surface, increasing the Coefficient of Friction (COF).
Etching tile has a checkered history of tarnishing and creating hard to clean surfaces. InvisaTread’s innovative formula does not alter the look or feel of most surfaces and creates the perfect blend of slip resistance and cleanability.
InvisaTread® is NOT a coating, so there is nothing to wear off, nothing to re-apply! The only way to degrade the effectiveness of the InvisaTread® treatment is to fill in the micro-pores with dirt, waxes or film forming sealers, or physically grinding down the surface. So just keep the surface clean with a non-residue forming cleaner/degreaser like TractionWashTM Tile and Grout CleanerTM and the InvisaTread® treatment will be effective for years.
Treatable surfaces include: – Porcelain, Granite, Travertine, Ceramic, Brick, Concrete, Terrazzo, Limestone, Slate, Quarry tile, and more… *InvisaTread® will hone Polished Stone surfaces (Marble, Travertine, Limestone, etc.
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