how clean is clean before sealing?!

**newtothegame** · 01-12-2008

Hi,

bear with me, i'm new!

i've just laid 24 square metres of brazilian slate flooring. i didn't seal before i laid, but was careful with the adhesive and cleaned any excess off as i went along so that all went well.
before I grout I know I need to seal the tiles, and before I seal the tiles I know I need to clean them properly. The only thing I'm unsure about is how clean they need to be! I've gone over them several times with a damp/wet sponge and when they are wet they look brilliant, but they still dry with a very pale cloudy effect. I don't know how to tell whether this is just dust or natural efflorescence? does efflorescence look like more than just a dusty cloud? Do I have to keep cleaning them till this light haze disappears, or do I just get on with the sealing?

thanks in advance!

TilingLogistics · 01-12-2008

Any haze needs to be cleaned off prior to sealing! Ity is unlikely to be efflorescence if its all over the tiles! Efflorescence looks like dried salt on the surface usually! Try rubbing the tiles with "00" Grade wire wool

Kev

CJ · 01-12-2008

Slate needs to be cleaned

Cleaned

And Cleaned somemore until no streaks at all are left.

Then left to dry and Only then do you seal.

Thats why slate is such a pain in the bumble

**faithhealer** · 01-12-2008

Try drying each tile off with kitchen roll or similar as you wash it down. Should soak up the 'mucky' water instead of drying on the surface, again and again...