Slate Cleaning & Sealing Experts Hobsons Bay - Melbourne

Slate is a very dense, but soft and easily scratched material which can be used effectively outdoors as well as indoors. Slate is a foliated metamorphic rock derived from shale and consisting mainly of grains of mica and quartz. Most slate is grey to black, but the rock may be red or purple, depending on its mineral content. The surface of slate is generally uneven with cleft planes which can spall or flake due to the cleaving of the stone along its layers. Slate has a low to medium absorption rate of oils and other liquids and should be sealed with an oil-repellent penetrating sealer to prevent staining, reduce soiling and decrease the effects of foot traffic.

We cover all Melbourne suburbs and all Hobsons Bay area

Cleaning slate tiles can present some difficult challenges due to the many varieties of slate and the fact that slate tiles are often sealed with topical water or solvent based sealing products.

There are many types of slate tiles originating from various places around the world and the slate tile cleaning process can vary depending on the type of slate tile being cleaned. Before cleaning slate you should test the slate surface to understand what type of sealers were used on the slate and to be sure that the cleaning product will not damage or create any discolouration. Alkaline cleaning products are generally safe for cleaning slate but cleaning slate with acidic based cleaning products could potentially damage the slate tile surface.

If the slate tile appears to have a topical sealer, this will need to be stripped before any cleaning process can begin. It is also helpful to find out the type of sealer or wax that the floor was previously sealed with to be able to use the right product when stripping.

You can once again enjoy your slate tiles in their best possible condition

Give us a call today on 1300 771 201, our knowledgeable and friendly customer service can assist you with all your questions and bookings.

We cover all Melbourne suburbs and all Hobsons Bay area

You can easily test how porous your natural slate is by applying a drop of water to the surface and watching how it is absorbed. You can then see how any type of water based stain can be absorbed by the slate tile surface and grout.

Sealing your slate will keep most stains suspended at the surface, creating a barrier that provides protection against chemical attack, deterioration and contamination. Sealing is the first important step towards protecting your investment against stains.

Which look do you want your slate floor to have -- natural, wet, or glossy? You can have the wet-look without going glossy by choosing the right finish. There are finishes that maintain the “natural look” after application, but many people love the “wet-look” for their slate floors.

As slate tiles sometimes can naturally appear lacklustre, various sealing solutions have been designed to enhance the colour or create a glossy finish.

Two main sealing options exist for slate tiles

• Deep Penetrating Impregnating Sealer

(Transparent Finish/Colour Enhancing Finish)

• Topical Sealer

(Gloss/Satin/Matte Finish)

A penetrating impregnating transparent sealer enters the pores of your slate and once cured, will not change the look of the stone. A penetrating colour enhancing sealer however is designed to enhance and enrich the natural look of your stone surfaces.

A deep penetrating impregnating sealer protects slate and grout from water and oil based stains by chemically reacting with the surface pores using nano-technology creating a breathable protective invisible barrier. An impregnating sealer protects the slate surface and grout from absorbing stains while also resulting in cleaning and maintenance becoming much easier. Australia's Deepshield™ range of impregnating water based sealer's offer long term benefits lasting for up to 10 years while Deepshield™ Gold, based on the latest fluoro-bond technology will last for up to 15 years. Deepshield™ forms a bond with your surfaces that is stronger than any conventional mechanical or hydrogen bonding film forming sealers.

Tile Cleaners® are the experts at applying all types of sealer and will ensure your slate looks its absolute best. Tile Cleaners® experienced technicians can apply a topical sealer when especially required to create a high gloss, satin sheen or matte finish to your surfaces. Topical sealer is also helpful in situations where your old solvent based sealer can not be completely removed or when required to hide certain types of damage. Topical sealer's have a life expectancy of around 3 years.

We provide specialised cleaning and sealing solutions for slate tiles

Our equipment is ideal for both domestic and commercial premises, leaving your slate tiles spotless and hygienic

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, call 1300 771 201 today or use our online enquiry form

We cover all Melbourne suburbs and all Hobsons Bay area

It is very important to ensure that tiles achieve their cleanest possible condition prior to being sealed. This will protect the appearance of the tile and importantly ensure that there won't be any dirt, stains or other debris caught under the layer of sealant.

To provide the best possible protection from oil and water-based stains; to maintain the look and slip resistance of your slate and to prevent damaging moisture from being trapped within the stone, it is recommended to seal your slate with a high quality, invisible, fully breathable impregnating sealer.

Our Slate Floor Restoration service will bring back your slate tiles & grout to its best possible condition, and protect them for years to come

Once the final coat of penetrating slate tile sealant has been applied, allow to cure for at least 24 hours before walking on the surfaces. The longer the curing time, the better protection you will have, and the longer the finish will last.

It is important to ensure the correct water based sealer is applied to your slate tiles which will also depend on whether they are indoors or outdoors as most sealer's will not last long outside due to being designed for internal use. If your slate is outdoors, it is important to use a water based sealer that is specifically designed for outdoor slate.

You should always ensure that the tiles themselves are completely clean, before you attempt to seal the tile. This will protect the appearance of the slate, and help ensure that there won't be any dirt or other debris caught under the layer of sealant.

We provide specialised cleaning & sealing solutions for Slate tiles.

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, please Call 1300 771 201 or use our online enquiry form

We cover all Melbourne suburbs and all Hobsons Bay area

There are two types of impregnating clear sealer, water based sealer & solvent based. In the past solvent based sealers were more widely used as they would absorb deeper into the slate and grout and also lasted longer. Today however, thanks to new technological advancements, it is recommended only to use water based sealers, that last much longer and cause less potential damage to health and property.

Solvent based products are more difficult to apply and can create major problems when applied incorrectly as they are very hard to remove. Tile Cleaners® recommend our clients apply a long lasting water based sealer to their slate tiles and grout. Topical sealer's (glossy plastic coating over the top of the slate) are still used on slate, but these older style sealers can trap moisture in the stone and make the surface slippery when wet. When a topical sealer wears in higher traffic areas, the entire surface usually needs to be stripped and re-sealed.

It is very important to ensure that tiles achieve their cleanest possible condition prior to being sealed. This will protect the appearance of the tile, and importantly ensure that there won't be any dirt, stains or other debris caught under the layer of sealant.

To provide the best possible protection from oil and water-based stains; to maintain the look and slip resistance of your slate and to prevent damaging moisture from being trapped within the stone, it is recommended to seal your slate with a high quality, invisible, fully breathable impregnating sealer