Keeping Tunnels Clean and Bright


Protecting road tunnels from the effects of traffic and the elements has been identified as a major problem on the European mainland, costing millions of Euros in terms of maintenance labour and material costs, not to mention the need for increased lighting at higher wattage to overcome the dimming effect of darkened, matt surfaces. The answer, it turns out, is incredibly simple: make tunnels easier to clean!

Nanocoatings specialist Nanolia has a number of products to deal with the problem including some very powerful yet environmentally-friendly anti-graffiti coatings and removers. However, to deal with the overarching problem they offer some very tough water-based impregnations that can be applied by brush, spray or roller to makes the roofs and walls waterproof, stain resistant and very easy to clean.

Nanolia Concrete Protect is a truly remarkable, easy to apply and environmentally-friendly impregnation that penetrates deeply (some 3mm – 4mm) below the surface of tunnel roofs and walls and reacts with the calcium present in the substrate to form an incredibly hard silicate structure that reinforces stone, masonry, concrete and other cementitious materials. Its’ hydrophobic, chemical resistant and stain protection properties make cleaning easier and help keep road tunnels brighter. Treated surfaces are waterproof but remain breathable. It is a permanent treatment suitable for the harshest environments having an operating temperature range of -30°C to +700°C and capable of surviving frequent freeze/thaw cycles.

NanoliaConcrete Protect closes the pores and protects the surfaces by creating an invisible smoother, harder surface with an extremely high resistance to chemical attack and abrasion. In particular, because it is an impregnating, hydrophobic sealer it also protects porous building materials such as brick, tiles, concrete and paving against efflorescence.

Nanolia Concrete Protect is odourless, free from solvents and easy to use. It is non-hazardous and can be applied by brush, spray or roller in temperatures ranging from +5°C and 50°C at up to 85% humidity. It performs best in cementitious products with high calcium content. For treating of non-cementitious materials or where oil is a problem Nanolia recommends the use of Nanolia Stone Coat which has almost the same longevity as Tunnel Protect but is less resistant to acids. It does however, have the added benefit of being oleophobic, i.e. totally resistant to oil and grease.

For further details of Nanolia Stone Protect, Stone Coat and related products such as Nanolia Graffiti Removers contact David Wilkin, European Sales Manager on +44 (0) 7725 362 072 email: daviduksales@nanolia.com