Cleaning Natural Slate
Always follow instructions on the product labels, technical information and videos.
Always test products on a small area first.
Please Contact Us if you have any queries.
For Cement Staining use Builderase. Always treat a small, test area first and check the colour of the stone is unchanged when it is dry. See the article for cement removal, below.
For Efflorescence (white mineral salts that can appear on a stone as it dries) use Builderase. Always treat a small, test area first and check the colour of the stone is unchanged when it is dry. See the article for efflorescence removal, below.
See the articles, below, for instructions for how to remove various contamination from slate. Make sure you follow the instructions in the articles and on the relevant product pages.
Please contact us if you are struggling to acheive the best results or require further guidance.
Your Slate will be much easier to maintain if you have correctly sealed it. For further information about sealing click here or see the article, below.
Efflorescence is a mineral salt, usually white in colour, that can appear on a stone as it dries. You will need to understand what type of stone you have.
The most likely products you will use are Builderase or Powerase. Please click here to see guidance, products and instructions.
How to remove cement staining, residues and spillages from internal and external stone floors, paths, steps, driveways and patios.
You will need to understand what type of stone or tiles you have. The most likely products you will use are Builderase or Powerase. Please click here to see guidance, products and instructions.
Please click here to read our article on removing green and black algae and "black spot" from stone, tiles and pointing on external paths, steps and patios.
The products you will be using are Biorase which is sometimes followed up with Algex.
Bird droppings can cause severe staining on stone and tiles. We have seen areas covered in purple marks when they have been eating berries or green stains when the prefered food is caterpillars. You are likely to use Powerase and Biorase.
Please click here to see guidance, products and instructions.
The best methods for removing mud and general dirt from stone and tiles.
Rust staining is common in natural stone, cement based materials, block pavers and tiles. It can be naturally occurring or be caused by rusting items that are left on the stone, furniture, fixtures or lawn feed and weed type products.
This article will explain how to use Gel Rust and Builderase to remove almost all rust staining.
Leaves, trees, petals, seeds, pollen and cuttings can stain stone. Leaves can release tannin as they turn brown which is a very powerful dye. Tannin is the stuff in tea that can stain the inside of a glazed china teapot so it's not surprising that it will stain stone.
You will be using Biorase which is usually very effective.
Various food and drinks can stain stone. Oil and grease from a BBQ, children dropping ice cream or adults spilling a glass of wine can cause marks that are tricky to remove. Colours contained in food and drink can leave "coloured marks" even after normal cleaning. We are usually successful in removing this type of issue.
You need some knowledge to understand how to use a pressure washer in order to acheive the best results and avoid potentially serious damage.
Please read this article for guidance.
Products and procedures to seal Natural Slate
Don’t want to Do-It-Yourself? We can do the work for you or put you in touch with a contractor
Ask us a question or send us a picture of the problem and we will give you the benefit of 30 years of experience