How to Seal a Slate Floor
Sealing Slate Floor Tiles
The first and most important step when sealing a slate floor is to ensure any old sealant is completely removed.
Just cleaning the slate floor is not enough to remove the old seal. If any remains, problems may only show up after you finish the job. By then, you would have to remove both the new and old seal to fix it.
You can find many brands of slate floor seal online or at DIY stores, often showing a shiny floor. Most instructions recommend giving the floor a thorough clean before applying the seal.
It is true that the floor needs a deep clean to remove dirt. However, if any old seal remains or the surface is not properly prepared, the new seal may not perform well, and the result may be disappointing.
The floor might become slippery from too much sealant or look dull soon after sealing.
Simply Floor Cleaning - Deep Cleaning Slate Floor Tiles
A common problem when removing old surface seal from slate flooring is that many modern slate tiles have a riven or tumbled finish, which makes it hard to reach the narrow grooves.
Even if you use a mechanical scrubber on this type of slate tile, you will still need to do some handwork to remove the seal. Using a good seal remover like Pro-Strip will help break down the old seal so you can clean it off.
Make sure to protect any nearby surfaces from spills, then carefully apply the seal remover. Give it enough time to work before cleaning it off. You might need to repeat this process, especially if you are working without a machine.
Slate Floor Stripping
After you have removed the seal and all surface slurry and residue with a wet vacuum or mop, you need to neutralise the slate floor to make sure no chemical residue or dirt is left. Rinse the floor several times with clean water to do this.
Before applying the seal, make sure the floor is completely dry and free from dust or other contaminants.
After preparing the surface, apply the slate seal with an applicator or roller. Start with the edges, then work from the far wall back toward the door. Wipe away any excess with a lint-free cloth as you go.
Once the floor has dried for the recommended time, you may need to apply a second coat to make sure the coverage is complete.
If you can, apply the second coat in a cross pattern to the first. This helps cover any small areas that might have been missed.
Slate Floor Sealing
After the coating is done, the seal usually needs up to forty-eight hours to fully cure. You can use the floor lightly after a few hours (check the product’s recommendations), but wait until it is completely cured before washing or putting carpets and rugs back.
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