Cleaning slate floors – protect the grout

29 July 2010

Slate floors can be a great choice for a variety of situations – it offers unique finishes in a variety of different colours and textures, is relatively slip resistant and the surface is quite durable. If carefully cared for – your slate floor should last for many years.

There are times when, despite diligent maintenance, your slate floor may acquire an uneven or unsatisfactory appearance which will not change even through regular cleaning efforts. Slate can become stained or marked, especially if there is surface scratching, and this can affect the overall appearance, but it is highly probable that the appearance is affected by staining to the grout.

Grout is a construction material which is generally used to fill voids or seal joints – just like those along the sides of tiles. In the case of slate tiles it is recommended to have the tiles professionally installed and the grout professionally applied as it can be notoriously difficult to do correctly. It is a relatively porous substance, meaning it stains easily, which consists of a mixture of cement, sand and water – and it is this grout that can be affected first.

If you take a careful look at your floor you will notice that the grout is, almost always, recessed at a slightly lower level than the surface of the tiles – so if there are any spillages – it is here that the liquid will settle. It is obviously important to clean up spillages as soon as possible, but there is a certain inevitability about the grout being stained.

Once stained, grout can be very difficult to clean, so prevention is the best approach here. It is recommended to apply a sealer to the grout, making it less permeable and offer an additional layer of protection. It should also aid cleaning efforts. Sealers can be recommended by a company that specializes in cleaning slate floors – and some versions of colour grout seal are also available to offer a uniform aspect if the appearance becomes uneven.

If the grout does become stained, if you do not desire the application of a new sealer, you would be well advised to seek professional help. A company specializing in cleaning slate floors will be able to utilize modern techniques and technology such as heat cleaning, emulsification and effective capture of waste, as well as specialized cleaning products to restore the floor to its original condition.


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