Sealers?

[surferjoe]

Hey guys,

have been reading here and the book

few quick questions.

the shower pan is in and the CBU's are up and the monument bench is drying

after i do the walls in 12'" ceramic tiles ill be using 8"x8" mat backed stone for the floor.
should these be sealed before i grout?

also the bedroom floor will be slate so should these be sealed also b4 grouting?

and if so which sealers would best for these 2 items?

[Steven Hauser]

Hi there.

Joe is it?

What type of stone is it? Marble slate or granite? Is it polished?


The slate, is it smooth or does it have a cleft surface? What color is it or what is it called?

Thanks

[michaelhazuka]

I prefer to use a grout release on the slate...it aids in in clean-up of the grout and helps remove grout from clefted slate

[surferjoe]

yes its Joe

the slate is cleft,its called multicolored slate.

it has straight edges(sides) so what will be the best grout spacing?

the stone in the shower floor are natural on a matte 8"x8" backing ranging in size from about 1/2" to 2" in size and they are not polished.

my concern is they appear to be REAL porous and the grout looks like its gonna be real big in places so i know i will need sanded grout.

so i think sealing both before grouting would help alot.

[John Bridge]

Hi Joe,

I don't seal anything before grouting, but I know others do.

I work in small areas when I know the tiles are going to be tough to clean up. I just don't get too far ahead of myself. Sometimes you have to start cleaning off the tiles the minute you stop smearing grout on them.

Even if you pre-seal the slate, you'll have a bit of grout clollecting under the clefts. I don't think that looks bad, as long as it's not too prevalent.

[surferjoe]

thanx for the info guys.

now heres another ? kerafloor dry-set(grey) is what i picked up to lay this slate with. is this the right stuff?

also hopefully ill have some pics of the shower to post soon!

[Steven Hauser]

Hi Joe,

I wouldn't preseal either. I would just clean up after grouting very carefully.

That thinset seems fine.

[surferjoe]

thanx steve.

love the town your in!! i use to live off whitehorse rd and then moved off perry rd. beautiful town

on side note in the forum section of pictures theres a shot of a slate floor on a FL room maybe?

anyone know what they sealed it with or if when i seal mine itll be that shiney