Slate steam shower resealing? Help!
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I did not do my homework on upkeep for slate shower tiles. Busy work schedules, too many bathrooms to clean, ...I got all the excuses....I will never ever put slate in a steamed shower.
I have been on line and find numerous topics in sealing but very little on resealing....what product to use. I just got on my hands and knees used a brush to scrub the shower floor and walls, but it also needs resealing to protect it from any further chips. Did I fail to mention this is a 6'x 8' area?
Family members have done their yoga moves in there while steaming.....
any tips or suggestions of products to use that will get us squeaking clean again?
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Suggested Project Book
https://www.tilecleaning.org/sealing-slate-shower.htm
https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Sealants-PLUS-PT-Penetrating/dp/B01IDIBYFA/ref=asc_df_B003Z4XJ6K/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198077767340&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17210893999548347893&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033057&hvtargid=pla-343196563154&th=1
Hi Jo Ann, resealing slate is the same as sealing. Go to the stone yard in your area and purchase the sealer for wet areas. So, while someone is doing the high lunge and the gate pose, they can also be applying sealer...
Hi Jo Ann, You've done the hard work, now you can use the same sealer to re-seal - Any waterproof sealer for slate will be fine. If concerned - give it more than one coat of sealer to be sure..............The best is yet to come!
I'm pretty sure you seal it with the same stuff you used originally. It should probably be sealed once or twice a year. That's what I do with my granite counters. Cleaning removes the dirt and grime, but also slowly removes the seal that you put on. This is with any natural stone and even grout around porcelain/ceramic tile. Everything needs to be resealed to make it easier to keep clean. Unfortunately, nothing will prevent the slate from chipping off. That is a property of slate, it does eventually shed scales. Slate looks beautiful, but I don't know why designers push it due to that issue. I guess it's because they don't have to worry about it once it's finished.
There are specific products for slate. Avoid anything acidic (even vinegar) as it will etch slate. You should squeegee the surfaces (including floor and ceiling) after showering, then wipe dry with microfiber cloth. Slate requires a higher level of maintenance. Did you install a high velocity, powerful exhaust fan with automatic moisture sensor? Fans should be run for duration of shower PLUS 20 minutes, each time. They do not usually negate need to squeegee and wipe dry the slate. The hardness of your water may contribute to your problem, although slate is usually waterproof. Installer should have used top of the line grout.
Look into kbs diamond clear sealer. I have used this on autos when painting and recently used to waterproof 2 cast iron tubs I did. A friend uses on motorcycles . It is pretty awesome and waterproof