Construction Industry/sealing slate tiles

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Expert: - 7/1/2008


Question
Hey Steve,

What would be the best sealer for a slate shower floor? And do you recomend sealing it befor grouting as well as 48 hours after grouting?

Thanks
Lise

Answer
Hi Lise;Various manufacturers of slate have different information in their mantenance manuals.  You need to obtain the maintenance manual published by the manufacturer of your slate.  That manual will list proper cleaning agents and techniques, sealers and methods to follow, etc.  Usually slate is sealed before grouting, and again after grouting, along with the grout.  There are water based grouts, solvent based grouts, and acrylic based grouts.  The maintenance manual should detail the type of grouts that will bond to the slate.  Then obtain, from the chosen grout manufacturer, his maintenance manual which will detail proper cleaning agents and techniques, and sealers.  If you have any problem finding out that needed information, please get back to me and I may be able to lead you to additional information.

Cordially,

John Michaels

Construction Industry

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Stephen Hayes

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We are a floor covering inspection service and a floor covering specifying service. We inspect all types of floor coverings in every city and town in all 50 States and Canada, for manufacturing, installation, or maintenance related problems. We also specify, so when someone is about to choose a floor covering for a residential or commercial installation, after we find out, from them, the particulars about the installation, we can suggest the proper product, installation method, and maintenance method to provide optimum life of the product. (Note that in your B2B Category, we did not find any heading related to our business, so we just chose the Construction category). So if someone has a problem with the performance, installation, or maintenance of any floor covering, we can give suggestions, without a formal inspection, the possible causes of the prolems.

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We have been in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, of all types of residential and commercial floor coverings, for many years, and for the past 13 years, we just inspect and specify.

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