Slate

Slate floors can be showstoppers—but how you care for them determines if that’s in a good way or a bad way. Beautiful, well-maintained slate creates a positive impression with the perfect blend of elegance and informality. But slate that is dull, chipped, scratched or otherwise damaged creates quite the opposite impression.

Keep your slate surfaces looking their best with care services from the experts at Stone Medics.

Some slate surface areas are porous and will absorb moisture, meaning they may also absorb stains. Therefore, it is important to seal your slate on a yearly basis to prevent staining.

Stone Medics uses the right products to seal slate based on your unique stone’s characteristics. We use a penetrated sealer for honed finish slate surfaces (natural or color enhancing), and a water-based acrylic for a more glossy, natural cleft slate. 

Stone Medics can revitalize any slate tile surface to provide a fresh appearance. There are two types of slate surfaces to keep in mind:  a natural cleft or a honed finish. A natural cleft features a textured surface, whereas a honed finish is smooth to the touch.

Our team uses a water-based acrylic for a more glossy and natural cleft slate. For other slate surfaces, we're careful not to polish to a high shine.

Slate is a natural stone, so some acids and alkaline cleaners may etch its surface. This may not be very noticeable on natural cleft slates, but can be very apparent on honed and polished slate surfaces. 

Stone Medics can provide professional cleaning services and advice to help keep your slate surfaces looking their best. We recommend sweeping slate regularly to cut down on surface grit and dust, and washing as needed with either a stone cleaner or a mild detergent with a neutral pH. (Do not use cleaners that contain lemon or vinegar because these ingredients can cause etching to the surface.)

Slate is a unique stone, and restoration methods for slate are very different than that of marble or granite. Over time, thick layers of soap residue, waxes and other topical coatings can dull and hide the beautiful inherent colors and untamed charm of your slate floors and surfaces.

The qualified technicians at Stone Medics can strip away this dull buildup, as well as the dirt and contaminants it often traps, to reveal the naturally stunning surface underneath.

Through proper care and routine maintenance, we guarantee your slate surface’s shelf-life. Call Stone Medics today at (216) 534-3904 to schedule your annual maintenance visit or ask about another of our stone services.