Slate tile cleaning

[Cools71]

Hi,

I am starting a job on friday cleaning and sealing 100m2 of slate tiles. The tiles were not sealed or cleaned before installation - the silly buggers went on the cheap with eastern european labourers. It looks dusty and a bit stained. On inspection at least there is not too much grout on the surface, so that wont be an issue. Do you guys thing I should get in a floor cleaning machine. I have 3 days to clean and seal I know its a push, but it just simply has to be done. If I do this I get a massive contract.

Any tips and tricks gratefully received as always. thanks in advance.

[wivers]

Did you say they haven't sealed the floor at all?

[sc24]

I would definitly get some sort of cleaning machine, we use a floor polisher and a wet vac but i know you can hire specific machines to do the job, try Lithofin Power-clean if its not to badly stained and then seal it with Slate-seal, good luck with that one!

[Cools71]

Nope they havent cleaned, or sealed the floor before laying, burks springs to mind, and the price paid for eastern european cheap labour, u have no idea how many jobs I go to to finish the job after them. It reaffy f****'s me off, but they keep me paid when i am a bit slow.

it looks kinda ok, a bit dusty, and it comes up ok with a damp cloth

I have never used a machine before, I tend to do the job properly in the first place, any suggestions where I might get one (a machine)for the weekend?

Otherwise its mop and bucket for me and the boy i guess I will use a mop for the sealer when I am done, so i get an even coat, however, as I say the only bit that worries me a bit is the cleaning.

Dont worry, I am a hard worker - i think I will need to be on this one I will apply a top finish when its all done anyway.

[Dave]

Use this product to clean the slate.....mop on then leave to soak and agitate with a stiff brush...you could use a machine but if not afraid of hard work a brush will do.......dave..

follow instructions on the bottle.......
Cement-Away
A very strong acid for the removal of stubborn cement residue, efflorescence and heavy builders dirt. For newly laid and older non-acid sensitive tiles such as porcelain, ceramic, quarry, terracotta, slate and sandstone tiles

[Cools71]

Dave, thanks for the tip.

I see that this product is for everything except slate, and I have 100m2 to do.

Can I use it for slate? And any ideas where I might get some from?

Thanks in advance

[Dave]

it does say slate if you read again..lol lol.......porcelain, ceramic, quarry, terracotta, slate and sandstone tiles .. CTD can get it for you.....dave....

[Fred]

Builders acid, watered down, thats the only way your gonna move that stuff. And a stiff brush, gloves, goggles and mask.

[Cools71]

I know its bad form to repluy to your own post. sorry,

Wonderful thing the internet, its a thing of beauty.

I just searched said product recemmended by Dave (thanks again) and I can use it with slate.

Apologies to the moderators for the "over posting"

[Dave]

dont forget though cools mate..this will be hard work and might take more than one wash to get it clean....dave....

[Cools71]

lol, Dave are you the angel of death?

Only joking, I kinda figured it might take 2 washes (at least) - hes paying for my time, and If i run over, I run over.

At the end of the day, if he got me to do it in the first place, we wouldn't be here

cheers for the advice tho

[Dave]

any time mate.....dave..