5 Tips for Caring for Slate Flooring

When compared to other natural stones, slate is often considered to have more character, especially when it comes to flooring tiles. Dark and grey slate tiles evoke a very classy traditional look. Multicolored slate patterns arranged in mosaic styles are more vibrant and will make floors the center of attention. Whether they’re polished to a smooth finish or honed so they retain some of their natural texture, slate tiles require a certain level of maintenance. Here are five recommendations to keep in mind when caring for slate flooring tiles.

The metamorphic process that results in slate features more layers of mud than crystallized minerals. The natural cleft texture of slate is subject to a flaking process that produces "spall" fragments that separate from the surface, and it’s bound to happen right after installation of new tiles, particularly if they’re finished with a textured look. The spalling process, which lasts a few weeks, leaves behind very small chips of stone and dust that can accumulate unless they’re removed with a dust mop. In the case of glossy slate tiles, very fine dust may emerge after installation for a few weeks.

After the tiles have settled in and stopped spalling, this would be a good time to decide on a cleaning schedule. Ideally, slate tiles should be swept daily or at least a few times per week. For this reason, it’s important to choose a dust mop equipped with a comfortable handle. Microfiber is a good mop head material to sweep slate floors with.

Although slate is durable and resilient, it won’t react well to cleaners found on supermarket shelves because they usually have acidic or abrasive properties. Even vinegar, an organic substance often recommended as an overall cleaner, shouldn’t be used to clean slate or any other type of natural stone because it can weaken the protective seal on the surface and grouting. Much like you’d use a specially formulated slate and granite cleaner if you have slate countertops, you’ll want to use a cleaner that’s safe to use on natural-stone flooring, like Granite Gold Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner®.

Large sections of slate flooring can be mopped with a natural-stone cleaner, but you’ll have to make sure the tiles are dry by the time you’re finished. The problem with water sitting atop slate surfaces is that it may cover a spot where the sealant has degraded, thus causing a stain.

Just like with any other natural stone, slate can be kept in good shape for decades as long as it’s protected with a fresh seal. Many homeowners apply sealant to their slate tiles once a month, but you may want to increase this frequency on sections that get significant daily foot traffic. The best way to tell if you need to seal your slate floors is to perform a water test. Pour water about 3 inches in diameter on the stone’s surface in several locations and let it sit for a half hour. If you notice a dark mark or ring after thirty minutes have passed, the water has penetrated the stone and you’ll need to reseal.

Whatever you do when caring for your slate floors, make sure to avoid polishing them, as they could become dangerously slippery. For additional tips on caring for slate and other types of natural stone, including granite and marble, reach out to the Stone Care Experts at Granite Gold® at 1-800-475-STONE (7866). Also, don’t forget to sign up for our monthly newsletter, which contains even more helpful information on caring for natural stone (and quartz as well).