Slate Cleaning Fernhill - Wollongong

We provide specialised cleaning & sealing solutions for Slate tiles

To schedule your appointment or obtain a free estimate, 0478 085 801 or use our online enquiry form

We cover all Wollongong suburbs and all Fernhill area.

If your slate floors have become dull and no longer showing their true colour, your old sealer is wearing off, or you would like to protect a new slate installation, Slate Cleaning Cleaning and Sealing service will restore the fresh lustrous appearance of your natural slate tiles. Your slate will be thoroughly cleaned and remain protected against future staining for years to come.

Slate is a porous natural stone that needs sealing to protect against staining. Whether you have recently installed your slate tiles or you are looking to restore their new look, cleaning and sealing with our quality equipment is your best option.

Slate Cleaning technicians are experts in slate tile restoration and maintenance. Our large client base ranges from home owners to the largest shopping centres, hospitals, schools, large and small offices. You can rest assured you are provided the highest standard in tile cleaning and protection.

Sealing your slate will keep most stains suspended at the surface, creating a barrier that provides protection against chemical attack, deterioration and contamination. Sealing is the first important step towards protecting your investment against stains.

Give us a call, we are happy to help with all your slate-cleaning and sealing needs, or you can use our online enquiry form and we will give you a call back as soon as we can. Our friendly and knowledgeable customer service can provide a free quote as well as assist you with all your enquiries.

You can once again enjoy your slate tiles in their best possible condition!

Give us a call today on 0478 085 801, our knowledgeable and friendly customer service can assist you with all your questions and bookings

We cover all Wollongong suburbs and all Fernhill area.

What is Slate?

Slate is a very dense, but soft and easily scratched material which can be used effectively outdoors as well as indoors. Slate is a foliated metamorphic rock derived from shale and consisting mainly of grains of mica and quartz. Most slate is grey to black, but the rock may be red or purple, depending on its mineral content. The surface of slate is generally uneven with cleft planes which can spall or flake due to the cleaving of the stone along its layers. Slate has a low to medium absorption rate of oils and other liquids and should be sealed with an oil-repellent penetrating sealer to prevent staining, reduce soiling and decrease the effects of foot traffic.

Cleaning Slate Floors

Cleaning slate can present some challenges due to the many varieties of slate and the fact that slate tiles are often sealed with topical water or solvent based sealing products.

There are many types of slate tiles originating from various places around the world and the slate tile cleaning process can vary depending on the type of slate tile being cleaned. Before cleaning slate you should test the slate surface to understand what type of sealers were used on the slate and to be sure that the cleaning product will not damage or create any discolouration. Alkaline cleaning products are generally safe for cleaning slate but cleaning slate with acidic based cleaning products could potentially damage the slate tile surface.

If the slate tile appears to have a topical sealer, this will need to be stripped before any cleaning process can begin. It is also helpful to find out the type of sealer or wax that the floor was previously sealed with to be able to use the right product when stripping.

Enjoy your slate tiles in their best possible condition!

Call us today on 0478 085 801, our knowledgeable and friendly customer service can assist you with all your questions and bookings

We cover all Wollongong suburbs and all Fernhill area.

Sealing Slate Tiles

You can easily test how porous your slate is by applying a small amount of water to the surface and watching how it is absorbed. You can then see how any type of water based stain can be absorbed by the slate tile surface and grout.

Slate Cleaning recommend penetrating sealers for slate wherever possible. Penetrating sealers are designed to maintain the natural look and feel of your slate, keep it non-slip and allow the stone to breathe while also lasting for 10 or even up to 15 years depending on the product type. Penetrating sealers are available in a transparent (natural) finish or a colour enhancing finish. Penetrating sealers however will not result in a shine or a gloss finish as they do not leave a surface coating. If you would like a shine on your slate you will need to to use a topical sealer. Topical sealers are available in gloss, satin or matte.

Does your service include stripping solvent sealers?

Slate Cleaning standard service does not include stripping solvent sealers and we do not recommend stripping solvent products unless absolutely necessary. When no other option is available this service is provided, however due to the high cost of materials and time required only at an additional cost.

Can I use a penetrating sealer if my slate has a solvent coating?

The short answer is no, as the remaining coating will prevent the penetrating sealer from penetrating into the slate’s surface pores. You can only use a penetrating sealer once the previously applied solvent coating has been fully removed, however, this can be extremely costly. Alternatively, it is recommended to reapply a topical sealer once the surface has been treated using a solvent-free stripper to thin out the old coating, preparing the slate for a fresh seal. This will help avoid the costs and inconvenience caused by stripping solvent sealer.

Two main sealing options exist for slate tiles

Deep Penetrating Impregnating Sealer

• (Transparent Finish/Colour Enhancing Finish)

Topical Sealer

• (Gloss/Satin/Matte Finish)

A penetrating impregnating transparent sealer enters the pores of your slate and once cured, will not change the look of the stone. A penetrating colour enhancing sealer however is designed to enhance and enrich the natural look of your stone surfaces.

A deep penetrating impregnating sealer protects slate and grout from water and oil based stains by chemically reacting with the surface pores using nano-technology creating a breathable protective invisible barrier. An impregnating sealer protects the slate surface and grout from absorbing stains while also resulting in cleaning and maintenance becoming much easier. Australia's Deepshield™ range of impregnating water based sealer's offer long term benefits lasting for up to 10 years while Deepshield™ Gold, based on the latest fluoro-bond technology will last for up to 15 years. Deepshield™ forms a bond with your surfaces that is stronger than any conventional mechanical or hydrogen bonding film forming sealers.

Slate Cleaning are the experts at applying all types of sealer and will ensure your slate looks its absolute best. Slate Cleaning experienced technicians can apply a topical sealer when especially required to create a high gloss, satin sheen or matte finish to your surfaces. Topical sealer is also helpful in situations where your old solvent based sealer can not be completely removed or when required to hide certain types of damage. Topical sealer's have a life expectancy of around 3 years.

We provide specialised cleaning and sealing solutions for slate tiles

Our equipment is ideal for both domestic and commercial premises, leaving your slate tiles spotless and hygienic

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, Call 0478 085 801 today or use our online enquiry form

We cover all Wollongong suburbs and all Fernhill area.

It is very important to ensure that tiles achieve their cleanest possible condition prior to being sealed. This will protect the appearance of the tile and importantly ensure that there won't be any dirt, stains or other debris caught under the layer of sealant.

To provide the best possible protection from oil and water-based stains; to maintain the look and slip resistance of your slate and to prevent damaging moisture from being trapped within the stone, it is recommended to seal your slate with a high quality, invisible, fully breathable impregnating sealer.

Our Slate floor stripping & sealing service will bring back your slate tiles & grout to its best possible condition, and protect them for years to come

Sealer Drying Times

Once the final coat of penetrating slate tile sealant has been applied, allow to cure for at least 24 hours before walking on the surfaces. The longer the curing time, the better protection you will have, and the longer the finish will last.

Types of Slate sealers

It is important to ensure the correct water based sealer is applied to your slate tiles which will also depend on whether they are indoors or outdoors as most sealer's will not last long outside due to being designed for internal use. If your slate is outdoors, it is important to use a water based sealer that is specifically designed for outdoor slate.

You should always ensure that the tiles themselves are completely clean, before you attempt to seal the tile. This will protect the appearance of the slate, and help ensure that there won't be any dirt or other debris caught under the layer of sealant.

We provide specialised stripping & sealing solutions for Slate tiles

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, Call 0478 085 801 or use our online enquiry form

We cover all Wollongong suburbs and all Fernhill area.



Water Based v Solvent Sealer

There are two types of impregnating clear sealer, water based sealer & solvent based. In the past solvent based sealers were more widely used as they would absorb deeper into the slate and grout and also lasted longer. Today however, thanks to new technological advancements, it is recommended only to use water based sealers, that last much longer and cause less potential damage to health and property.

Solvent based products are more difficult to apply and can create major problems when applied incorrectly as they are very hard to remove. Slate Cleaning recommend our clients apply a long lasting water based sealer to their slate tiles and grout. Topical sealer's (glossy plastic coating over the top of the slate) are still used on slate, but these older style sealers can trap moisture in the stone and make the surface slippery when wet. When a topical sealer wears in higher traffic areas, the entire surface usually needs to be stripped and re-sealed.

It is very important to ensure that tiles achieve their cleanest possible condition prior to being sealed. This will protect the appearance of the tile, and importantly ensure that there won't be any dirt, stains or other debris caught under the layer of sealant.

Solvent Stripping

• Solvent stripping is only required in extreme cases, for example when efflorescence or dirt beneath the old solvent sealer needs to be removed.
• The toxic fumes from solvents can be dangerous to health and property, and the area must be vacated for 48 hours.
• Solvents damage skirting boards, doors, paint and adjacent areas.
• A signed “Liability Waiver” is required when any solvent stripping is carried out.

To provide the best possible protection from oil and water-based stains; to maintain the look and slip resistance of your slate and to prevent damaging moisture from being trapped within the stone, it is recommended to seal your slate with a high quality, invisible, fully breathable impregnating sealer.