Caring for Slate Floor

[cbonilla]

I have a 35 year old house with a slate floor that extends from the front door into the family room and all the way to the back of the house. It's in great shape. Not a crack to be seen. Floor was set on a mud bed where plywood was set below the height of the floor joists. Slate is a deep green, irregular shapes.

In the dozen years I've owned the house all that's ever been done to the floor is a regular mopping. Its survived three kids and a few dogs and still looks great -- any other floor covering would longer ago have been beaten to death.

The floor no longer has any real shine. I love the way the floor looks when it has just been mopped and still glows from the water. How can I get that appearance? Is that possible?

Is there a sealer I can apply? Do I need to strip the floor first? How can I tell if I need to strip the floor?

In short, what do you recomend?

Many thanks, Carlos

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[John Bridge]

Hi Carlos, :)

You'll need to strip the old finish off the slate and then apply a new one. I'll move you to the appropriate forum. :)

[Davestone]

You could try this product, if there's any sealant left on your stone,follow directions about rinsing, then use an enhancing sealer....http://www.aldonchem.com/pr-premium-stripper.htm

[cbonilla]

Thanks for the link, clearly a lot to read and decide on. Question regarding the Aldon stripper -- is this noxious stuff like paint stripper?

Carlos

[doitright]

Hi Carlos :)

Yes you want to use extreme caution. It does contain Methelyne Chloride! :eek:

Think safety first! I'm not saying not to use this product, just to employ the proper safety measures.

[cbonilla]

Thanks, looks like if I elect to do this I'm going to want to wait for fair weather to be able to ventilate well