slate floors - maintenance

[dreamingofsun]

when my slate floor was put down the man said that it should be treated every few years with some form of sealant i think. how do i know when it needs treating and what difference does it make? what do i treat it with? thankyou

you just paint it on - it stinks
look in B and Q
Not sure what difference it makes though

cornsilk - is it a special seelant for slate floors? how do i know if i need to do it? thankyou

we did it 'cos the guy in the tile shop told us to
just have a look in BandQ to see what's there

I've got the same question! Our slate floors were installed 5 years ago, and I think the fitter treated them with 'impregnator' (sp?) which soaks in and protects them. I want to re seal them now to make cleaning easier. I've been trying to research and I think that sealers sit on top of slate and make the tiles have a sheen or a shine and repel water and dirt. Impregnators absorb into the tile to protect it and don't change the matt look of the slate but don't repel dirt/water as well. From what I've read the main brands are HG and something called aquafix or similar. Each brand does a number of products you could use on slate and I'm not sure how to choose between them. May try to go to a stone flooring shop for advice! Hope this rambling post helps a bit. Hopefully an expert will come along soon with some definitive advice.

jakesmum - please can you report back if you find anything out. if i can find the tile suppliers details i'll drop them a note