Help!: Urgent - Builders sealed Brazilian slate but didn't clean properly before

[Jim Rickards]

Hi

Black brazilian riven slate floor, washed down but not properly cleaned after laying. (I asked 3 times for them to do it but they was still a lot of dust etc). They've put one coat of LTP Mattstone on it and it came up very light grey/white because there was still so much dust on the surface. Floor is not yet grouted.

I've scrubbed with clean water and fairy liquid and this has taken some of the worst off but still looks dirty.

My question is: do I keep cleaning, or is the dirt completely sealed in? Can I use a wire brush etc, keep cleaning, wait to dry and then seal again before they grout.

Or is the only solution to strip and start again.

I'd be really grateful for any quick advice.

[TilingLogistics]

Originally Posted by Jim Rickards

Hi

Black brazilian riven slate floor, washed down but not properly cleaned after laying. (I asked 3 times for them to do it but they was still a lot of dust etc). They've put one coat of LTP Mattstone on it and it came up very light grey/white because there was still so much dust on the surface. Floor is not yet grouted.

I've scrubbed with clean water and fairy liquid and this has taken some of the worst off but still looks dirty.

My question is: do I keep cleaning, or is the dirt completely sealed in? Can I use a wire brush etc, keep cleaning, wait to dry and then seal again before they grout.

Or is the only solution to strip and start again.

I'd be really grateful for any quick advice.

You are fighting a battle you are not going to win. LTP Mattstone is an impregnating sealer. Therefore in order to clean the dirt/dust off the tile you firstly have to strip the sealer then clean it. You are trying to clean something that has a protecive penetrating sealer on to stop you doing what you are doing. Firstly strip the floor with a sealing and coating remover and then clean it with some heavy duty tile and grout cleaner. Then apply a tempoorary sealer such as BAL. Then grout then wash off in the normal way If these guys cannot clean the tiles correctly prior to grouting I hate to think what sort of mess they will make when they are grouting

Kev

Kev

[TilingLogistics]

PS Sorry forgot to say Welcome to the Forums Jim

Kev

[Jim Rickards]

Thanks Kev for answering so quickly

I thought that might be what you'd say and I understand exactly why it's probably a losing battle.

If I posted a photo with close ups would you be able to confirm whether the problem is definitely sealed in concrete and tile dust etc. Because I think the firm is going to be adamant that they cleaned the tiles properly. Any professional back up would be helpful (at least to set my own mind straight). Or could there be another cause?

Before I go down the stripping route, I'm trying scrubbing with a copper scourer (near the edges where it won't be noticed if it goes wrong) and drying immediately. Seems to be taking some off, but I'm worried that scratches might show up after a new layer of sealant has gone on.

[TilingLogistics]

Where has the cement come from? It can only be dust or dry slurry from cutting can't it? It hasn't been grouted yet so why are youy using scourers unless it's excess adhesive?

Kev