How to clean slate floors?

[Sath]

I have uneven slate tiles all over my kitchen and lounge spaces. Couple of questions

1. What is a good way to clean these on a regular basis? The moping cloth of the bissel triangular headed steam mop keeps coming off as it hits the rough edges of the slate tiles. Some used an old fashioned mop? which ones?

2. Has anyone used a robo vacuum over these uneven surfaces. Looking to invest in one of them, i have floorboards and carpets in other rooms.

[Jason]

Hi @Sath,

Hope all is well.

Please note that a couple of our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts are taking a well-earned break at the moment, so there might be a bit of a delay before one can get back to you about your slate floors. Sorry about that.

Jason

[EricL]

Hello @Sath 

I propose using the Sabco 2 Sided Microfibre Flip Mop for everyday dry sweeping and the Sabco SupaDry Spin Mop and Bucket Gen2 with Bonus Refill for moping the floor. The Flip mop is easy to use, and the head is machine washable. The spin mop is much more convenient as it is not as heavy as a regular cotton head mop and is easy to dry off.

In regards to the robot vac, I suggest borrowing a friend's robot if possible and see how it manages the large gaps and different levels of the slate floor. If it looks like it will manage, then it would be worth investing in one. I suggest having a look at the Ecovacs DEEBOT U2 Floor Cleaning Robot. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Sath]

Thanks Eric , will try those products. Not so sure about the robot vacuum as I have read that it is not suitable for dark floors .

also is steam mop not good on slate ? Because of the sealant ?

[EricL]

Hi @Sath 

It's actually the uneven surface of the floor that makes it unsuitable. I don't recommend using steam mops all the time on the slate floor as it will affect the sealer that's on it. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Sath]

Thanks , I also think the lidar sensors are susceptible to false triggering in darker floors. But if someone has used a robo would love to hear.

also on different topic, is it feasible to lay floorboards over slate tiles as mine 

[EricL]

Hello @Sath 

From an installation point of view, it would be better to remove the slate tiles and start from a flat surface. The uneven nature of slate tiles creates too many uneven sections for floorboards to be laid out uniformly.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Sath]

Another question on the resealing my slate tiles . Can I do this myself ? Clean first then seal ? Any thoughts please 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Sath,

Sealing slate tiles can definitely be a DIY project, but it does require some careful preparation and knowledge about the type of sealer that was previously applied. The key challenge with resealing slate is understanding whether the existing sealer is penetrative (which soaks into the stone) or non-penetrative (which forms a surface coating). This will determine the process you need to follow.

If the slate tiles have a penetrative sealer and are in poor condition (e.g., worn or patchy), you will likely need to strip off the old sealer before applying a new one. This is because the new sealer won’t bond properly to the old, degraded layer. To strip the old sealer, you'll need a special sealer stripper. After stripping, be sure to thoroughly clean and allow the tiles to dry before applying a new sealer.

If the existing sealer is a non-penetrative sealer and it is still in good condition, you might be able to clean the tiles and simply overcoat them. Before resealing, it's important to do a deep clean to remove dirt, grime, and any previous wax build-up, as this will affect how well the new sealer adheres. A pH-neutral cleaner works best for slate, as harsh chemicals could damage the surface. After cleaning, let the tiles dry completely before applying a fresh layer of sealer.

Make sure to follow the manufacturer's directions for any product you use, as different sealers may require specific application techniques or curing times. Sealing can be a straightforward process as long as you're aware of what’s on the tiles already and take the necessary steps to prepare the surface properly. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Sath]

Thanks @MitchellMc . I would have no clue what was used as moved into this house last year. Is there a way to find out the current sealant ? I have a pic at the start of this post . Any clues from that