Slate tiles can last long, depending on how you use them. However, while you can remove stubborn soil stains with rugged cleaning, only professional stripping can eliminate wax and old coatings. 

What is Slate?

Slate is soft and dense and is easily scratched. Slate is perfect for indoors and outdoors. In addition, slate is chiefly made of quartz and mica grains. Slate surface is normally unequal with cleft planes that can flake or spall because of how the stone cleaves along its layers. 

The absorption rate of slate for oil and other liquids is average. Slate floors last much longer when sealed with oil-repellent penetrating sealers to forestall stains, decrease soiling, and reduce the foot traffic effect. 

Cleaning Slate Floors

Unlike many other tiles, slate tiles are more difficult to clean. It is like that because slate exists in various options. Another reason they are hard to clean is that they are sealed with topical solvent or water-based sealing solutions. 

Slate tiles differ, depending on the nature of slates in that part of the world. How you clean slate tiles actually depend on the type of slate you are dealing with. Therefore, it is recommended that before you clean any slate tile, carry out some tests on the surface to know the type of slate. 

It is also essential to be sure you are not using a cleaning solution that will damage the slate surface due to the kind of sealer used.

If a topical sealer has been used on a slate tile, it must be removed before any cleaning can be done. Therefore, we cannot overemphasize the importance of ascertaining the sealer or wax type previously used on the floor to be sure you are not using the wrong solution for stripping. 

It is better if slates are not cleaned with extremely high pressures due to spalling possibilities and slate cleft planes. The grout also needs to be in good shape for cleaning to be efficient. 

Sealing Slate Tiles

Slate is relatively dense even though it is extremely porous. Apply one drop of water to your slate surface to see how the surface absorbs the water. That will give you an idea of how the slate surface and grout will absorb water-based stains. 

The lackluster nature of slate has necessitated the use of sealers to ensure a glossy finish and a colorful outlook. 

When you seal your slate, stains will hardly penetrate beyond the surface. That automatically protects against contamination, deterioration, and chemical attack. 

Two Main Sealing Options for Slate Tiles

• Deep penetrating impregnating sealers
• Topical sealers

Deep penetrating impregnating sealers offer slate and grout protection against oil and water-based stains by reacting with the surface pores chemically, creating a protective, breathable layer. With impregnating sealers, slate surfaces are prevented from absorbing stains. They also simplify the cleaning process and make maintenance easier. 

As the name suggests, penetrating impregnating sealers access the stone pores without altering the stone or tile’s appearance. A penetrating sealer with color-enhancing abilities is meant to enrich and enhance the way stone surfaces look naturally. 

Tile and Stone Cleaners offer expert services in sealer application, helping to make sure your slate is always appealing at all times. Tile and Stone Cleaners boast experienced technicians that can apply topical sealers in the best way to make your surface look glossy in an attractive way. It is also great to use topical sealers when it is impossible to remove the previous solvent-based sealer altogether or when specific damages need to be hidden. Topical sealers can last for about three years. 

Types of Sealers Used on Slate Tiles

Tiles are expected to be in good shape and cleaned before they are sealed. This is necessary to ensure the tile’s appearance is not compromised. More importantly, it helps prevent debris, dirt, and other stains from finding their way beneath the sealant. 

The most effective way to prevent water and oil-based stains, maintain the slate’s slip resistance and appearance, and to avoid moisture that can be trapped inside the stone, is to use an impregnating sealer that is fully breathable, invisible and more importantly, of high quality. 

Slate Floor Maintenance

Slate preservation is easy when you have a reliable maintenance plan in place. Slates are known to resist acids because they do not have calcite in them. However, they still have a shortcoming of being porous. That is why it is necessary to use high-quality penetrating sealers on them. 

It is possible to finish cleaning your slate tiles, and the grout will not be as attractive as you had expected. In such an instance, you may need to do some scrubbing along the grout lines. Therefore, put a drop of the cleaner on the slate tile surface to see the reaction and ensure the solution will not discolor the tile. 

Tile and Stone Cleaners Services

Slate Tile and Grout Cleaning

Tile and grout cleaning requires heavy-duty cleaning solutions and special equipment. By employing high-pressure cleaning equipment and specially formulated cleaning reagents, we can clean your tile and grouts in the best way possible. 

Slate Tile Sealing

Leaving your porous tiles unattended is not the best. You are meant to have them sealed. Tile sealing helps to ensure that surface stains are reduced to the barest minimum. Slate tile sealing is to ensure that stains do not progress beyond the surface. It creates a layer of protection that helps to fortify the tile against deterioration, chemical attack, as well as contamination. Sealing is vital in making sure your investment is protected. 

Slate Stripping

Stripping, scrubbing, and cleaning slate surfaces help restore any floor’s original beauty. Our professionals have the experience, expertise, and equipment to render extensive floor stripping services. In addition, we strip and reseal hard surfaces for floors and walls. 

Are you bothered about the chopped, cracked, discolored, loose tiles in your stairs, floors, walls, or swimming pool? Or do you have some leftover tiles after installation? Tile and Stone Cleaners boast a crop of professionals that can help you repair your outdoor and indoor tiles and also replace those that are bad.