IICRC SMT flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Calcite-based stone

Stone composed mainly of calcium carbonate, including marble, travertine, limestone, and onyx. It is acid-sensitive and etches when exposed to vinegar, citric acid, or acidic grout cleaners.

Siliceous stone

Stone rich in silica, such as granite, quartzite, slate, and sandstone. It generally tolerates mild acid but can be damaged by strong alkali and fluoride-containing products.

Etching on marble

Chemical dulling of a polished calcite surface caused by acid contact. It removes polish rather than adding soil, so cleaning does not fix it; repolishing with abrasives is required.

Impregnating sealer

A penetrating siloxane or silane product that lines pore walls and repels water while allowing vapor transmission. It does not form a film and is preferred over coatings on most stone.

Efflorescence

White powdery salt deposits carried to the surface by moisture migrating through masonry or stone. Removal is temporary unless the moisture source is corrected.

Diamond grit sequence

A restoration progression from coarse to fine abrasives, such as 50 to 3000 grit. Each step removes the previous scratch pattern; skipping grits leaves visible scratches.

Water absorption test

A field or lab measure of how much water a stone absorbs, expressed as a percentage. Higher absorption signals greater staining risk and greater need for impregnating sealer.

Picture framing

A dark border stain at the edge of a stone tile caused by moisture wicking through the setting bed or grout joint. It indicates a moisture path, not surface soil.

Engineered quartz composition

Roughly 90-95 percent ground quartz bound in polyester or epoxy resin. The resin limits heat and chemical tolerance compared with natural stone.

Cultured marble composition

Ground calcium carbonate filler in a polyester resin with a gel coat. It is acid-sensitive like natural marble and dulls when etched.

Solid surface renewal

Acrylic or polyester-blend solid surface can be abraded with a pad and refined with progressively finer abrasives to restore a matte or satin finish.

Non-porous sealer rule

Engineered and cultured stone surfaces are typically non-porous and do not need penetrating sealer. Sealing them can leave haze or film that attracts soil.

Thermal shock limit

Resin-bound and quartz surfaces can scorch, crack, or craze when exposed to roughly 150 C (300 F) or more. Trivets are required under hot cookware.

Gel-coat scratch repair

Fine abrasives and polishing compound can remove shallow scratches in cultured marble gel coat. Deep gouges exposing filler need a color-matched repair kit.

Grout-only sealing

On engineered slab installations, the slab is non-porous while the grout joints are porous. Seal the grout, not the slab, and clean joints with a soft brush.

Resin yellowing

Discoloration of resin-based stone from bleach, ammonia, high-pH degreasers, or UV exposure. Residue and chemical attack cause chalky film and loss of gloss.

Porcelain absorption rate

Porcelain tile typically absorbs 0.5 percent water or less, making it frost- and stain-resistant. Non-porcelain ceramic absorbs more and may need sealing.

Glaze-safe cleaning

Glazed tile requires non-abrasive, near-neutral cleaners. Abrasive powders and pads dull glaze and create micro-scratches that trap soil.

Unglazed quarry tile

Through-body tile with no glaze, so it tolerates stronger alkaline degreasers and mechanical agitation. Acid still attacks the cement grout around it.

Grout haze removal

Residue left on tile after grouting, removed with a mild acid such as sulfamic after cure. Never use hydrochloric acid on glazed tile or cement grout.

Slip resistance

A measure of friction on wet tile, often tested with a tribometer. Soil, soap scum, and sealer films reduce coefficient of friction and increase slip risk.

Tile cleaning sequence

Dry soil removal, pre-spray dwell, agitation with a matched brush or pad, high-pressure extraction, then a dry stroke to remove suspended soil.

Epoxy vs cement grout

Epoxy grout is non-porous and chemical-resistant; cementitious grout is porous and cement-based. Cleaner selection must match grout type, not just tile type.

Latex migration

A construction residue on new tile where latex from thinset or grout rises to the surface. It is removed after cure with an appropriate remover, not during wash-down.

Masonry pressure limit

Soft brick and mortar joints erode under excessive pressure, generally above 800-1200 psi. Low-pressure, high-volume rinsing protects joints and surfaces.

Grout sealing timing

Cementitious grout should be fully cured, typically 72 hours, before penetrating sealer is applied. Epoxy grout generally does not require sealing.

Color sealing

A grout coating applied to stained or eroded grout. It requires a clean, dry, neutralized surface and full cure before application.

Muriatic acid use

Hydrochloric acid reserved for stubborn mortar smears on acid-tolerant clay brick. It requires PPE, neutralization, and is never used on glazed tile or cement grout.

Weep holes

Small openings in masonry walls that allow moisture to drain. They must remain clear; blocking them traps water and causes spalling or mold.

Spalling

Flaking or breaking of masonry or stone surface layers caused by trapped moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, or salt crystallization. Surface sealing without drainage can worsen it.

Masonry inspection

Pre-cleaning documentation of efflorescence, mold, dirt, spalling, cracked joints, and weep hole condition. Photos protect both technician and client.

Chemical mixing hazard

Acid cleaners must never be mixed with bleach or ammonia, which releases toxic chlorine gas. Always use one chemistry at a time with thorough rinsing.