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Sealing Slate Tiles in South Africa: Get Free Quotes

Need help sealing slate tiles? Get a free quote from independent sealing specialists for new and old slate floors, patios and walls across South Africa.

  • Quotes from: stone sealing and care specialists
  • Area: all nine provinces
  • Cost to you: free
A worker applying sealer with a roller to dark black slate tiles on a kitchen floor, the wet area looking richer than the dry tiles
A worker applying sealer with a roller to dark black slate tiles on a kitchen floor, the wet area looking richer than the dry tiles

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Tell us what you need and where. A slate supplier, tiler, cladding installer or roofer who works in your area quotes you directly.

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Slate is dense, but it is not waterproof. Sealing slate tiles protects the stone from stains, grease and moisture, and it can bring out the colour. SlateTiles.co.za is a free quote service. Fill in one form and we pass your request to independent sealing specialists and tilers in your area, who quote you directly. There is no fee and no obligation. We do not sell sealers and we do not do the work ourselves.

Types of sealer for slate

There are two broad kinds, and the right one depends on the slate and where it is used.

  • Impregnating (penetrating) sealers soak into the stone and block water and oil from inside. They leave the look of the slate mostly unchanged.
  • Topical or enhancing sealers sit on or near the surface. They deepen the colour and can add a satin or gloss finish.

Natural cleft slate has a rough face and drinks more sealer than honed slate. Many installers use an impregnating coat first and an enhancer on top. Always check that the sealer suits your use. A product for a dry hallway is not the same as one for a wet pool deck.

Where sealing is needed

Nearly every slate surface benefits from sealing, but the reasons differ:

  • kitchen floors, to resist grease and spills
  • bathrooms and showers, to slow water and soap marks
  • patios and stoeps, to handle rain, leaves and braai splashes
  • pool surrounds, where water, chlorine and sun are constant
  • fireplaces and hearths, where soot and ash mark the stone

On older slate, a common complaint is slate tiles going white or grey and patchy. This is often worn sealer, dried-out stone or salt bloom. A specialist can tell which it is. Sun also breaks down sealer, so a patio in full Highveld sun may need attention sooner than a shaded one.

What a good sealing job involves

Sealing is quick to apply but easy to get wrong. Before you accept a quote, ask whether the installer will:

  • clean the slate and remove dirt, grout haze and old sealer first
  • let the stone dry fully, as sealer over damp slate traps moisture
  • test the product on a spare tile or small corner
  • apply thin, even coats and wipe off excess before it dries
  • keep traffic off until the sealer has cured

Re-sealing slate is normal. Outdoor slate in strong UV or coastal air may need it more often than an indoor floor. Ask the installer to tell you how often to expect it, and what cleaner to use in between.

What affects your quote

Sealing specialists will usually ask about:

  • the area in m² and whether it is indoors or outdoors
  • the finish, such as natural cleft, honed or tumbled
  • whether the slate is new, or has an old sealer to strip
  • stains, white marks or damp that need treating first
  • whether you want a natural look or an enhanced, darker colour
  • how many coats and how many visits are needed

Photos help a great deal. Include a close-up and a wide shot of the area. If the slate is new, tell the specialist when it was laid and grouted, as fresh grout must cure first.

Comparing quotes for slate tile sealing

The lowest figure is not always the best deal. When your quotes arrive, check:

  • Scope: exactly what is included, from surface preparation and materials to cutting, sealing and clean-up.
  • Materials: the slate, adhesive, grout, sealer or fixings allowed for, and who buys and delivers them.
  • Timing: when the work can start, how long it takes, and curing or drying time before the area can be used.
  • Guarantee and terms: any workmanship guarantee, deposit, payment stages and how long the price holds.

What to include in your request

  • State the area in m² and whether it is indoors or outdoors.
  • Say if the slate is new or has been sealed before.
  • Describe any white marks, stains or damp spots you can see.
  • Tell us whether you want the natural look or a darker, enhanced colour.
  • Attach photos of the surface, including a close-up of a worn patch.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to seal new slate tiles?
In most cases yes. Slate has low porosity, but grease, wine, soap and rainwater can still mark it, and grout is far more absorbent. Seal after the grout has cured, following the sealer maker's instructions. Test on a spare tile first to check the finish.
Will sealer make my slate darker?
Enhancing sealers usually do, and can make black and charcoal slate look deeper and richer. Impregnating sealers change the look much less. Decide which you want before work starts, and test both on a spare tile or a hidden corner.
Why are my slate tiles going white?
White patches can be worn sealer, dry stone, or efflorescence, which is salt left behind when moisture moves through the screed. Cleaning and re-sealing sometimes fixes it. Persistent salt bloom may point to damp underneath, which should be dealt with first.
How does the free quote service work?
SlateTiles.co.za is free to use. You fill in one form, and we pass your request to independent sealing specialists and tilers in your area. They quote you directly. We do not supply sealer or do the work, and you are not obliged to accept anything.

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