How To Seal Slate Wall Tiles

Although a slate stone has a natural protection on its surface from outside elements the daily activity to which slate flooring tiles are exposed to regularly make it vulnerable to moisture stain and abrasion.

How to seal slate wall tiles. To see if your slate tile needs sealing pour a bit of water on its surface. You will probably have to keep applying sealer to the porous slate to keep it saturated for the entire 5 10. Ironically the water that it is designed to come into contact with can ruin the slate if it is not adequately protected. But with the right materials like painter s caulk primer and a latex or epoxy based paint you can create a strong durable paint coat.

If you want to give your slate tile a brighter color than most glazes can supply your best option is to paint it. When you decorate your shower with slate you want to be sure to seal the porous material with a protective coating that will keep the water out while maintaining its attractive earthen appearance. To seal the slate tiles with an impregnating sealer just pour the sealer directly on the slate and use a cotton towel to spread it around on the slate. By sealing your slate tiles you are blocking the pores of the stone this will then enable the grout to float over the pin head sized holes on the stone not stick within the pores the grout should now be easily removed when it is applied you are now ready for grouting the slate tiles.

Painting slate tile requires more preparation because of its non porous surface. Allow about 5 10 minutes for the sealer to be completely absorbed by the slate. As a natural quarried stone product it looks great unfinished and unsealed and many people like the weathered look it will. Like most other natural stones slate tile flooring requires sealing to aid in water repellency and prevent staining and scratching and sealer should be applied on a yearly basis.

San rio rustic slate.