Slate Tiles

[reid78]

Hi,

I've being reading this site for a bit now, trying to get my head around everything I should/shouldn't do whilst using slate tiles in my kitchen. It's all been really helpful and 'thank you' to all of you, unfortunately just as I thought I had it all sorted I've run into a problem!

Went to Topps yesterday and bought residue remover, sealer & cleaner (all fila). I was told in store that I should use the residue remover then the sealer (and the cleaner is to be used in the future when cleaning the kitchen). Is this correct?

I've read on here that I should seal before tiling and after grouting. If I do it that way, once the tiles have been fitted and I want to clean any stray adhesive off should I use the residue remover or the cleaner?

Thank in advance for your help.
Paul

[Dave]

hi paul mate welcome to the forums.....

It is best to wash the slate as you are laying it..because some makes can be quite dirty...once clean then seal the slate...allow to dry....then grout taking great care to get it well into the joints with it being a thick product...wash the floor taking care to get into the raised and rough bits....wash twice and leave to set...then wash again till you get it clean..any bits that are stuck in the raised bits can be removed with a scraper etc...once clean and dry then you can seal it again...if you clean the tiles well then there is no need for a residue remover...the sealant should be of the impregnating type and not a topical sealer as these just lay on the surface of the tile and need replacing annually...after care products can be ok..but warm soapy water is just as good..dont clean with anything that is acidic etc....only use nuetral cleaners as they are kinder to the slate/sealers..


P.s. the trick is when washing slate clean ..is keep changing the water....

[Leatherface]

I agree... nearly

But I tend to wash slate at least 4 times with fresh changes of water for each pass using washboy. Then go around one final time with an ordinary sponge carefully cleaning all the ridges - as these hold grout and it is not easy to see until the griout has dried. It will be much harder to clean off at this stage.