Removing construction dust from slate/grout

[Unregistered]

Hello,

I fell upon this forum through google searching. We built a new house and have two different types of slate and we are having problems removing the construction dust:

The first slate is relatively smooth with a black grout. Both the grout and the slate has been sealed with a stone enhancing sealer. Since it was sealed, there has been lots of construction activity and the grout on the floor is now gray (and looks horrible next to the slate) and the slate itself doesn't have the same color as when it was enhanced (although it is close). The slate/grout on the walls is the original color. We spent 3 hours cleaning the floor with an approved stone cleaner (can't remember the name, but it is an Aqua-Mix product) with minimal improvement. What can we do to restore the grout to the original color?

The second slate I believe is a Vermont quartzite (?). It is somewhat flaky (mica-like) with an uneven surface and covers a huge area (~1000 sf). The slate has been sealed, but the grout has not (this grout is also black). Agan, construction dust seems to have impregnated itself into the slate and the grout.

Any advice?

Thanks!

Janelle

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[John Bridge]

Hi Janelle, Welcome. :)

I'm sure the experts will have ideas, but I've heard that steam cleaning is a good way to go. I don't think you'll get the stuff out of the grout with a regular cleaner. Somehow a wet vac is going to come into play.

[doitright]

Hi Janelle :)

Please take the time to register, cause then you can do neat things like posting pictures! :yipee:

Seriously, There are cleaners available, but the mechanical methods are superior, but you need the special equipment.

In your case I would procure a neutral cleaner or (which is safe for stone), mix it to the stronger solution ratio, apply it to sections of the floor, let it dwell at least 10 minutes on the floor without drying on the surface, agitate with brush, if possible wet vac and rinse. If no wet vac is available, a couple of rinses (with constantly changing the fresh water once it becomes cloudy). If you don't change the water frequently, you will be redepositing the dirt that you're trying to remove! :bang:

There are also specialty detergents for tile an stone that should work also, with the same methods.

Hopefully the slate & grout was clean before it was sealed!

Do a test area first and check results. ;)

[Davestone]

For these situations i especially like cleaners with a sudsing action to help break grime loose and bring it out of places and to the surface so it can be washed away,a scrubbing bubbles sort of idea. :)

[Trask]

I've got the same issue going with a slate floor and the grout..came back to find the floor was the site of an mdf milling station. About an inch of mdf dust ground into the grout. Everything is well sealed but it's stubborn. Wet vac worked to some degree.. but i like the notion of using something that suds up.

[claycarson]

I've got the same issue going with a slate floor and the grout..came back to find the floor was the site of an mdf milling station. About an inch of mdf dust ground into the grout. Everything is well sealed but it's stubborn. Wet vac worked to some degree.. but i like the notion of using something that suds up.


Try using a very wet mop almost flooding the floor. Neutral cleaner will help, or slightly alkaline cleaner. Then, to help suspend the particles, use a brush, either mounted on a floor machine, or by hand. Trick is to let the solution loosen the dust from the grout, agitate them and suspend them, then IMMEDIATELY wet vacuum the slurry up before they dry again.


If it helps somewhat.....do it again. And again.

:crazy:

[Trask]

I kindof figured on the again and again part..Builders paying me gladely for it since the homeowners and I had told them it needed to be covered very good before mdf world cutting show began.

Thanks for the input