seal before and after grouting?

[damian]

hi guys, first post!


i've done a lot of nixer tiling and never felt like i wana do it for a living, but it can be enjoyable!

my new job is my own home! i'm doing the kitchen in real slate flooring - 600 x 300 mm, firstly have you any tips? anything

the main question is, how do you or what does it mean: Seal tiles before and after grouting??

please put as much info as possible to answers if you know what that means, i've never seen it before, SORRY in advance if its a dim question, but I'm one to put my hands up if i don't know something! you'll always get the answer quicker!!

damian.hudson@ukonline.co.uk

cheer's, hope to hear from you!

[Neil_S]

Hi. I stumbled across your post looking for some advice on a slate floor I have in my kitchen. This is a riven slate 300 x 300. I sealed with HG Impregnator before and after grouting on advice found online and by the guy at Topps Tiles. Once grouted the surface was cleaned with a cement film cleaner (another HG product) and sealed with another HG product suitable for sealing slate.

This was 3 years ago. The floor has always been extremely difficult to keep clean. It "hangs onto" anything that is dropped onto the floor, and is difficult to sweep and mop. The fact that it is dark grey/black doesn't help the situation.

I have the same slate flooring in the downstairs loo and porch and it is fine but in the kitchen it has been a nightmare. I have stripped it back using the recommended cleaners and resealed it a number of times without any improvement in the appearance over any length of time.

We are bitterly disappointed. So much so that I am about to bite the bullet and pull it up! We are considering a "slate look" porcelain tile to replace the original slate.

I dont want to put you off because I am sure many people have slate floors in their kitchens and are very happy with them. For us it has been a nightmare. If anyone has the answer to my nightmare before I pull up the slate I would be interested to hear. Also if there are any pitfalls with laying Q-rock black porcelain tiles from Topps Tiles (these are NOT highly polished porcelain tiles), please let me know.

Good luck if you go ahead with slate in your kitchen

[damian]

I found one that said:

For installing porous tile materials such as slate, terra cotta or marble, in
order to keep them from staining with use you should seal the actual surface of
the tiles. Applying tile sealer will also prevent moisture penetration. Sealing
the tile prior to installing, with a top-coat or a pre-sealer, will prevent
grout from getting into the tile pores and dulling or hazing the tile surface
during grouting.

Use of an acrylic top-coat on the tile surface will prolong your tiles
lifespan, but you'll want to reseal the tile from time to time, about every two
years, as it wears off eventually. You'll know when it's time when you start to
notice your tiles getting harder and harder to keep clean. Do not mix brands
and types of sealer; stick to the original sealant for re-application. Try not
to use any ammonia-based cleaners on the tiles since it will strip off the
sealer.

For entry flooring and other high traffic areas consider an anti-slip coating
for your tiles. There are anti-slip coatings now obtainable that are designed
to decrease slip and fall incidents by raising the tiles slip coefficient of
friction.

Whether it is grout sealer, ceramic tile sealer or an anti-slip coating, always
strictly follow manufacturer's instructions for the product's use so that you
will get its full intended benefit.


......Another said about AQUA MIX.. and various others, the better it is the better job OBVIOUSLY!

the thing is the cleaners too! if it is hazardous to the tiles, even though you can't see it right away, you'll eat away and distroy the tiles!!

this aqua mix etc can leave you with a polish "WET LOOK" and now they come in the last few years with a friction style mix, non-slip!

I know myself, if you have a nice floor, the shoes come off and the food stays on a plate!

I have a few days before i lay the tiles, we have a house that has/had them horrible plastic-rubber tiles that are super glued to the concrete!! horrible job, horrible invention! what were people thinking!

can anyone recommend the custting table i got from b and q?? I've no used it, but its for sale in a lot of machine hardware shops! i picked it up for 50 on the 15% sale, but found it costing up to 90!!

anyone know about this turbo blade?? i only have the standard custting blade and it has a water feed to help cool the stone.. I wana perfect finish!!

Please email me folks, i gotta get to an internet point in work in order to read these messages!

damian.hudson@ukonline.co.uk