My experience laying uncalibrated slate!

[FreeD]

Enjoyed laying it but cleaning down was an absolute nigtmare...

After laying I had some flexible adhesive residue left on the tiles it got in all the cracks and crevices and wouldn't shift using fila grout residue remover.

I tried to be as clean as possible when grouting but same happened again...

I'm now left with a tiled floor that potentially could look very nice but still needs alot of work to clean up...

Any tips for the future to avoid the above...I back buttered the slate with adhesive, this can always get a bit messy is there a way of laying them without having to do this...keeping them as clean as possible? And grouting...I mixed up a stiff mix and kept close to the joints but same again when cleaning down.

[enduro]

You could apply one coat of sealer before laying, this would help.

[nybor62]

no need to back butter what size trowel you using , iwould use a u notch trowel
at least 10mm depending how big the tiles are , as for cleaning them off did you seal them prior to tiling then again after.you have finished tiling i dont use a stiff grout mix , but not two wet i cover all the tile when grouting ,wash off with wash boy nice and slow one good wipe ,rinse clean then same again

[timeless john]

You have to work clean with slate - but no more than any natural product.
Change your water often and wipe excess off as you go.
In your earlier thread on this topic, it was reccommended that you seal the slate before you grout and this is definetly the best method.
You will still need to clean the surface of the tiling after the grout has dried to leave the slate spotless.
Do not try to seal the tiles again till you are happy with the surface.
As you are now aware - slate takes a lot more effort but the rewards are better.

[nybor62]

You have to work clean with slate - but no more than any natural product.
Change your water often and wipe excess off as you go.
In your earlier thread on this topic, it was reccommended that you seal the slate before you grout and this is definetly the best method.
You will still need to clean the surface of the tiling after the grout has dried to leave the slate spotless.
Do not try to seal the tiles again till you are happy with the surface.
As you are now aware - slate takes a lot more effort but the rewards are better.

i agree john i meant to say i seal prior to tiling then after ive fin tiling

[FreeD]

Yep sealed them before tiling but used sealer customer bought fila intensifier...spoke to fila rep this morning and she thinks that the reason the residue is not shifting may be something to do with the use of the intensifier apparently it sits on the surface, does not penetrate the tile and doesn't like contact with adhesives/grouts....

I checked the sealer with Topps before laying and they said it was the correct one....

Anyway what do you use for cleaning down sponges? or emulsifying pads? how do you get into all the crevices?

[enduro]

Yep sealed them before tiling but used sealer customer bought fila intensifier...spoke to fila rep this morning and she thinks that the reason the residue is not shifting may be something to do with the use of the intensifier apparently it sits on the surface, does not penetrate the tile and doesn't like contact with adhesives/grouts....

I checked the sealer with Topps before laying and they said it was the correct one....

Anyway what do you use for cleaning down sponges? or emulsifying pads? how do you get into all the crevices?

A good wash boy and plenty of clean water, and a bit of residue remover added to the water.

[kilty55]

this may sound mad but a toothbrush works well for keeping the crevices etc clean and free from adhesive and grout,,the bits a sponge cant get to