Slate Tiles need sealing?

[mcdaid36]

Hi everyone...
We are in the process of building a house - wish I found this sight before purchasing the tiles though. We bought slate tiles for some of the floor in the house (about 850 sq.ft) , and one of the bathrooms for the floor and walls. We didn't know much about it except we loved the look. Now after reading some things here, we're finding it's much more work than we thought! We are having professionals install it, but we were wondering about the care of it afterwards. Is it necessary for it to be sealed? If so, how often does that have to be done? It will be on the kitchen floor and mudroom floor, so I'm assuming a sealant will help with cleaning up spills, mud, etc. I'd appreciate any advice...Thanks!
-Nancy

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[Steven Hauser]

Hi Nancy and welcome,

First things first what type of slate did you purchase.

Some types will not last in a tub or shower enclosure. :(

Yes, either an impregnating sealer or in some cases a topical sealer are in order for slate to be easy to maintain.

:)

[mcdaid36]

Thanks for the response. Well, I'm not sure about what kind of slate... it is sold through the Daltile company, natural slate, in a copper color for the bathroom. I never knew to ask if that type was OK for a bathroom... I might have some slate to sell after this project ... How will I know if I can use this type? Maybe I will just call the Daltile representative in the morning. So what type of sealer do you recommend for slate? How long will the sealer last? Thanks, boy do I feel like I know nothing....
-Nancy

[Steven Hauser]

Nancy,

Look at your invoice, Daltiles SKU is on it. I'll know what to tell you after you give me the information.

[mcdaid36]

I pulled my invoice for the tiles. It's not in the imported slate collection, I guess I got it confused with the other tile we ordered. But it is still in the tumbled natural stone collection. The model number of the main tiles is: TS7312121P. That's for the 12 x 12, but we have also ordered others for the room, different sizes, same collection. Thanks for your help.
-Nancy

[Steven Hauser]

Hey Nancy, Happy Monday... :)

OK, TS 731 is Tumbled Copper slate, it is not recommended for exterior or wet areas without having a very durable long lasting sealer applied to it. YOu would also want to apply a grout release before it is grouted.

Stone Tech Pro sells many types of products that can be applied to the slate. Please review what the characteristics of the finished product is before deciding.

care for slate (http://www.stonetechpro.com/stonecare/idx/0/098/article/Natural-Slate.html)

This product needs to be installed in such a manner that it won't receive much water or allow much water behind it.

Thus, I would be interested in know more about the installation. This will be key to long term success.

Slate is a natural stone and the deflection of the substrate needs to be assessed. You can use the Deflecto (http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/deflecto.pl) to see if the floors are constructed in such a manner to receive natural stone. If the substrate is concrete then we don't need to assess the deflection, instead I would recommend an isolation membrane like this one.
DITRA (http://www.schluter.com/english/products/2002/sectionf/overview-f/section-f.html)

That's enough to start with.

:)

[mcdaid36]

Thanks for the info. Maybe I will use the tile on the floor and walls like we planned, but get a different ceramic tile for the steam shower area since it is enclosed. The bathrrom floor is a layer of concrete, poured over the radiant floor tubing. The joists underneath the concrete are TJI's and that calculator you sent me said it was for lumber and not for TJI's. I'm starting to think we should have just got cheaper tiles from the home depot and forgotten about the natural stone.... Hindsight is always 20/20, isn't it?
-Nancy

[Steven Hauser]

Well maybe in your house but not with my boss. She makes me figure out how to do what she wants done.

The trusses have a mfg. and that mfg. can tell you the deflection criteria.

Now you are probably OK for stone. We like to be sure before starting.

:nod: You are better off with a porcelian tile looking like slate.

Dal has many.

:)

Hang in there Nancy.