TREATMENT OF NEW BUILD SLATE TILES.

Lithofin - Technical Support Tel - 01962 732126 ; Fax - 01962 735373. TOWER 020 7485 7192

New Build Method Statement for Chinese and Indian Multi-coloured Slate Flooring

(i) Installation

It is important to note that most of this type of flooring is relatively hardy and will withstand a reasonable amount of builders' dirt during fixing and laying. You will find that much of the colour and brightness of the flooring is superficial, and if not suitably protected may wear off and leave you with just a grey or dark slate finish. To preserve the beauty of this special type of flooring, you must protect the floor in a similar way to terracotta, producing a surface sealant finish that must itself be protected and maintained adequately.

(ii) Cleaning

During fixing, or just afterwards, Chinese and Indian multi-coloured Slate flooring is generally more hardy than limestone, marble or granite. Its natural constitution lends itself to easy cleaning with an acid solution, so any building dirt or leftover reclamation staining may be removed quite satisfactorily with Lithofin Cement-Away. This is an extremely concentrated selection of acids that can be used both before and after grouting, if necessary. (Dilute to use, and follow the instructions carefully.) If you use it before grouting, make sure the surface is well rinsed and bone dry before applying the appropriate impregnator

(iii) Protection

Make sure the surface is completely clean and dry before applying half the specified quantity of Lithofin Slate-Seal with a roller or a brush. This material is prone to harbouring grout residues etc., so it is a good idea to apply two or more coats of Lithofin Slate-Seal at this stage. (One thick coat would be appropriate but would take a long time to dry, so several thin coats are always preferable.) Leave the surface to dry for four to six hours before grouting.

(iv) Grouting

Read the grouting instructions carefully. We recommend that you spread the grout liberally and cover the whole of the Chinese and Indian Slate flooring, as well as filling in the grout joints. This will minimise the "tram-lining" or "picture-framing" effects that may appear a week or two after installation. Remove excess grout using a solution of Lithofin MN Cement-Away diluted 1:15 with water. Allow the grouting to dry completely before starting the final sealing process.

(v) Final Protection

It is important to build up a surface finish, to retain the natural beauty and colour of the flooring. Using a roller or thick brush, apply two or three further thin coats of Lithofin Slate-Seal, leaving one or two hours between each coat to dry. As a guidliene, 1 litre of Lithofin Slate-Seal will treat 5 square metres of flooring. As with many types of natural stone, some surfaces may be more porous than others. If some areas still appear dull after sealing, you will need to apply more product to ensure that there is a surface finish over the whole floor.

(vi) Maintenance

When the floor is brand new and has been sealed correctly, it will have a shiny appearance. This will dull down to an eggshell finish with regular maintenance or wear and tear. It is important that the floor is cleaned regularly, using the correct products, to maintain the finish. For regular cleaning you should use a product that is pH-neutral, so as not to damage the stone or the sealant We recommend Lithofin Easy-Care for most Chinese and Indian slate flooring This contains not only cleaning components, but also enhancing agents which will make the surface richer and more attractive with regular use. You can apply Lithofin Easy-Care by mop and bucket, though in larger or heavy-duty areas we strongly recommend you use a Wax" or similar to remove the wash water. Do not use a maintenance product that contains waxes This will promote the build-up of false layers which will spoil the appearance of the floor in the long term. Remove stubborn marks with Lithofin Wexa, diluted 1:10. The sealant will eventually wear down. How long this takes will depend on the use to which the floor is put, but as a rule of thumb, refurbishment may well be necessary after two years. Please see the Refurbishment Technical Information Sheet for details.

Please note : This section is constantly in development. As a result, 
modifications to the guidelines may be made at any time without 
prior notice. Any information contained herein or given by our employees 
is given in good faith and is based upon current knowledge and 
historic experience.