How to Protect Slate Floors
Slate is a beautiful and extremely durable floor covering for many rooms in your home including kitchens, bathrooms and patios. Slate takes special care to keep it looking new. While sealing slate floors is not a necessary project, it does help to protect the floor from stains and other damage. Applying a sealant can also give you different looks for the slate depending on your preferences. Proper care helps your slate floors last a lifetime. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Choose the type of sealant you want. Different sealants offer glossy, matte or a wet finished look. Use a matte finish to keep your slate floors looking more natural.
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Think about how much traffic your floor receives when deciding on which sealant to use. Choose a sealant that penetrates into the slate for better protection of high traffic areas. Use a topical sealer for low traffic areas.
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Clean the slate floor using a mop and a diluted all-purpose cleaner. Do not use harsh chemicals to clean your floor. Allow the slate to dry completely.
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Open the windows to provide better ventilation while applying the sealant to the slate floor. Pour the sealant into a paint tray.
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Apply the sealant in a thin layer using a natural bristle paintbrush. Use a paint roller for more even coverage and quicker application of larger areas. Make sure to follow the grain of the slate.
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Let the sealant dry for 2 hours. Apply a second coat of sealant. Check the manufacturer's recommendations of how long to let the sealant dry completely, usually a week, before setting any furniture on it or cleaning it again.
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Tips & Warnings
The best protection you can give your slate floors besides sealing is sweeping them on a regular basis. Sweep up any dirt and other debris as soon as messes happen to prevent them from scratching the surface of the sealant and the floor itself.
Clean your slate floors using only warm water or a very mild cleaning solution for best results.
