How do you restore an unpolished , unsealed slate floor back to near new condition?
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Hi Michelle,
Very good advice from Rob.
I have resealed my slate floor twice now. Because it’s such a large area I clean the slate in sections over a few days.
When you are cleaning the slate make sure you clean the grout really well using a small scrubbing brush. Once you reseal the slate any dirt marks left behind you stay there.
Before you start now is the time to do repairs. If there is any broken slate replace it and if any bits of grout is coming out use a chisel and hammer to remove it. Then buy a small bag of slate grout in the matching colour and repair it.
The other very important thing you should know is to give the slate plenty of time to dry out. At least 2 days, longer it you have done any grout repairing. If you reseal the slate while there is still moisture there, the slate sealer will go a milky colour when it dries.
The list of things you need.
1.Slate sealer.
2.Lambs wool applicator.
3.Can of thinner or Acetone.
4.Eye protection.
5.Breathing protection (Fume Respirator)
6.Container to put slate sealer in
7.Small and large paint brush
8.Chisel and hammer
9.Slate grout
At some stage you will need to use thinner or Acetone in the slate sealer to prevent it getting to thick and to soak your Lambs wool applicator over night.
The fumes from the slate sealer and thinner are very strong so have all of your windows open a where breathing protection. When I reseal my slate I wear a Fume Respirator and sealed eye protection. Even your eyes can be affected by the fumes.
When applying the slate sealer use your paint brushes to do the edging then come in with your Lambs wool applicator. If you accidentally get the sealer on you wall or skirting/base boards wipe it off with a rag soaked in thinner. The next day you can apply the second coat. The allow 12 hours to dry before walking on it.
Hope I have covered everything. If you need more help please feel free to email me. Regards from Noelene
Sydney Australia a diy mum with three kids.
what you need to do is get a floor scrubber, mop and bucket and a soap designed to clean slate.
using the soap and water, dampen the slate floor, the scrub with the floor scrubber. Then mop up the water. the important thing to remember is not to put to much water on the floor, you just want to get it damp, not soaking wet. (If you get it to wet, everything just gets muddy and it makes a huge mess).
I then suggest you seal the floor, again using something designed for slate.
All in all it is fairly easy to do.
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