grouting slate

[zohar1]

Im due to lay a slate floor and was wondering what was the best way to groat after sealing. should i groat and clean with washboy as normal or use a groat gun. Has anyone ever used a groat gun and if so are they good or are they time consuming. thanks.

[TilingLogistics]

Originally Posted by zohar1

Im due to lay a slate floor and was wondering what was the best way to groat after sealing. should i groat and clean with washboy as normal or use a groat gun. Has anyone ever used a groat gun and if so are they good or are they time consuming. thanks.

I always grout slate using sand and cement. Dry mix the sand and cement (Kiln Dried Sand is the best) I part cement to 4 parts sand dry mix thoroughly then add water slowly until you get a crumble type mixture. Sweep into the grout joints then draw a piece of appropriate size rubber hose or wood dowelling along the grout joints. This draws the water to the surface and Hey Presto. No Mess and its quick

Kev

[grumpygrouter]

Originally Posted by TilingLogistics

I always grout slate using sand and cement. Dry mix the sand and cement (Kiln Dried Sand is the best) I part cement to 4 parts sand dry mix thoroughly then add water slowly until you get a crumble type mixture. Sweep into the grout joints then draw a piece of appropriate size rubber hose or wood dowelling along the grout joints. This draws the water to the surface and Hey Presto. No Mess and its quick

Kev

Great post Kev, something else I've learned now.

Grumpy

[wetdec]

Am assuming its not honed or polished slate here :

Slate doesnt absorb from above as its not formed the same way as other stone. If you grout it as normal using a sand based grout, allow the grout to just dry on the surface of the tile then wipe off. Repeat the wiping process a couple of times keeping your sponge clean

In a couple of days when fully dry buff off the dust and apply a coat of Lithofin slate seal. This particular sealer will leave a sheen on the tiles, the sheen can be increased the more coats you apply. The beauty IMHO of this sealer is if you have missed any grout or have clouding it darkens it up so it can become unnoticable.

tiler

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[tileform]

Originally Posted by TilingLogistics

I always grout slate using sand and cement. Dry mix the sand and cement (Kiln Dried Sand is the best) I part cement to 4 parts sand dry mix thoroughly then add water slowly until you get a crumble type mixture. Sweep into the grout joints then draw a piece of appropriate size rubber hose or wood dowelling along the grout joints. This draws the water to the surface and Hey Presto. No Mess and its quick

Kev

I'm assuming this is no good if using flexi addy and require a flexi grout too?

[Branty]

[quote=wetdec;68147]Am assuming its not honed or polished slate here :

Slate doesnt absorb from above as its not formed the same way as other stone. If you grout it as normal using a sand based grout, allow the grout to just dry on the surface of the tile then wipe off. Repeat the wiping process a couple of times keeping your sponge clean

In a couple of days when fully dry buff off the dust and apply a coat of Lithofin slate seal. This particular sealer will leave a sheen on the tiles, the sheen can be increased the more coats you apply. The beauty IMHO of this sealer is if you have missed any grout or have clouding it darkens it up so it can become unnoticable.

tiler

..[/quote]
I love lithofin slate seal, a top product.

[wetdec]

Init good

[Ric]

Originally Posted by TilingLogistics

I always grout slate using sand and cement. Dry mix the sand and cement (Kiln Dried Sand is the best) I part cement to 4 parts sand dry mix thoroughly then add water slowly until you get a crumble type mixture. Sweep into the grout joints then draw a piece of appropriate size rubber hose or wood dowelling along the grout joints. This draws the water to the surface and Hey Presto. No Mess and its quick

Kev

I would really recommend trying this method as using normal grout because it is so fine is a nightmare. The stuff gets in all the riven edges and is a complete pain to clean off even with chemical scrubs.

[wetdec]

Why would you be using chemical scrubs if you work the process why would you need to strip, clean, acid wash.

It is the easiest stone on the market and doesnt absorb if the tiler leaves it dirty then it is a process problem surely.

Scrubbing cleaning acid washing is a cure not the answer !!

tiler

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[TilingLogistics]

Originally Posted by ditradave

I love lithofin slate seal, a top product.

It's nearly as good as Aqua Mix Enrich and Seal

[Ric]

not a case of leaving it dirty, its a case of wether u use plenty of clean water and chemicals in water to clean it is still a lengthy process compared to other tiles!

[wetdec]

Originally Posted by TilingLogistics

It's nearly as good as Aqua Mix Enrich and Seal

Except we dont benefit from saying so

tiler

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