Cleaning, Sealing & Maintaining Slate Tiles with Tile & Floor Care Products

Remember Always
1. If in doubt phone Tile & Floor Care for free advice on 011 450-1774.
2. Understand that you have purchased a natural product and that it needs to be sealed AND maintained. Maintenance prolongs the life span of all types of tiles.
3. The sealing and maintenance differs for interior and exterior applications.

Cleaning after laying the tile
During grouting make sure to remove all excess grout from the surface with clean water. Attempting to clean the grout off the surface with dirty water and/or dirty cloth or sponge does not clean the surface. After the grout has dried use Grout Off, diluted to the correct solution, to remove any residues, since these will impair the finish after sealing and will result in a very expensive repair. Two types of cleaners are needed to prepare the floor for sealing. The first to be used is Grout Off (for removal of grout and cement residues). The second is Easy Clean to remove any grease and oil type stains and to neutralize the surface before sealing. Follow the instructions on the labels. INSPECT the floor after grouting and cleaning and before sealing.

Choosing a Sealer
When sealing a natural stone, (slate, sandstone, quartzite) there are generally two types of sealers you may use; they are Top Seal and HP Sealer or HP Sealer. The sealers give different finishes to the tile and protect the tile in a different manner. It is imperative to check the features of the sealers before choosing.
Top Seal
Top Seal as the name suggests, protects the tile from the top. Part of the sealer penetrates in order to bond with the substrate, but the sealer is designed to form a protective layer on the surface thereby protecting against wear and tear. Top Seal is an acrylic. The sealing and maintenance procedure follows.
HP Sealer
HP Sealer penetrates into the tile and protects from within. HP Sealer bonds and fills the substrate making it stronger and preventing stains from entering the surface. HP Sealer is a urethane sealer and will result in a matt finish and colour enhancement

Sealing With Top Seal

1. Read the instructions on the label.
2. Wait 10 to 14 days after the tile has been installed before sealing.
3. Inspect the floor before sealing to ensure that it is clean, as dirt may have settled after the last cleaning operation. If the floor is dirty and cannot be cleaned then phone Tile & Floor Care on 011 450-1774. Do not seal if there are any grout residues or any other type of dirt on the floor.
4. Now that the floor is clean and dry, apply a medium coat of Tile & Floor Care Top Seal so that the grouting is also sealed. Avoid pooling and DO NOT use a roller of any type, as they do not deposit enough sealer and cause bubbles. Suitable applicators are a sheepskin applicator, propad or a good quality brush respectively. One litre covers 12 to 20 square meters, depending on porosity. Do not disturb and allow to dry for 2 to 4 hours. Apply a second coat and a third coat if necessary.
5. Do not disturb and allow to dry for 4 hours.
6. INTERIOR - Apply two medium coats of Tile & Floor Care Maxi Shine allowing 4 hours between coats. Use the same applicators as above.
7. EXTERIOR - Apply one liberal coat of Tile & Floor Care Easy Seal (using the same method as above). Never apply in direct sunlight or on hot tiles as the sealer dries too quickly too and will not have a chance to penetrate and adhere to the tile, allow to dry for 2 hours and then apply a second thin coat.

Maintenance

INTERIOR
1. Heavy duty dirt and grime - use Tile & Floor Care Easy Clean diluted with water to the correct strength to remove dirt & grime:
1-50 for mild cleaning,
1-20 for medium dirt,
1-10 for heavy dirt.
ALWAYS rinse with fresh clean water after cleaning with Easy Clean. For daily cleaning, use Tile & Floor Care Quick Clean.
2. Whenever tiles that have treated with Maxi Shine are looking dull or showing signs of wear in high traffic areas, they need another coat of Maxi Shine. You only need to apply Maxi Shine to the areas that are showing signs of tracking.

EXTERIOR
Whenever there are signs that water penetrates and darkens the tile rapidly, then apply a liberal coat of Tile & Floor Care Easy Seal. DO NOT apply in direct sunlight or on hot tiles as the sealer dries too quickly and will not have a chance to penetrate and adhere to the tile.

GENERAL
If spillage occurs, then clean up as soon as possible. If staining occurs, then contact Tile & Floor Care on 011 450-1774.

Sealing With HP Sealer

1. Read the instructions on the label.
2. Wait 10 to 14 days after the tile has been laid and 48 hours after washing before sealing.
3. Inspect the floor before sealing to ensure that it is clean, as dirt may have settled after the last cleaning operation. If the floor is dirty and cannot be cleaned then phone Tile & Floor Care on 011 450-1774. Do not seal if there are any grout residues or any other type of dirt on the floor.
4. If it is necessary to clean the floor before sealing remember that you will have to wait 48 hours before sealing with HP Sealer.
5. Now that the floor is clean and dry, apply a thin coat of Tile & Floor Care HP Sealer so that the grouting is also sealed. DO NOT use a roller of any type, as they do not deposit enough sealer and cause bubbles. Suitable applicators are a sheepskin applicator, lint free cloth or a good quality paint brush respectively. Do not disturb and allow to dry for 4 to 6 hours.
6. Apply a second coat of HP Sealer in the opposite direction as the first coat, as this will help to avoid streaking.
7. A third coat may be necessary. Remember that HP Sealer is a penetrating sealer and is designed to sit within the tile, and not on top. Therefore you should stop applying the sealer when it begins to sit on top of the tile.
8. Do not disturb and allow to dry for 4 to 6 hours before trafficking the floor.
9. Do not allow water on the tiles for 48 hours after sealing.

Choice Of Finish
Matt - Once you have applied the final coat of sealer, leave to cure and matt down.
Gloss - Once the final coat of sealer is cured apply two coats of Maxi Shine, (not recommended for exterior floors).

Maintenance
1. For daily cleaning clean with Tile & Floor Care Quick Clean.
2. Heavy duty dirt and grime - use Tile & Floor Care Easy Clean diluted with water to the correct strength to remove dirt & grime:
1-50 for mild cleaning,
1-20 for medium dirt,
1-10 for heavy dirt.
ALWAYS rinse with fresh clean water after cleaning with Easy Clean.

GENERAL
If spillage occurs, then clean up as soon as possible. If staining occurs, contact Tile & Floor Care on 011 450-1774.