Cleaning
Cleaning is important to preserve the beauty and lifespan of the stone. There are three different purposes for using a cleaner. We stock a range of Lithofin products for the following situations. Please seek professional advice before making the final selection. Never use hydrochloric acid to clean.
Builders clean
This is about removing cement film, adhesives or grout from the installation and prepare it for sealing.
Basic cleaning
This is the general periodic clean to keep the surface looking beautiful which can include, sweeping, mopping or even a high-pressure hose to remove grit and dirt.
Special cleaning
This is when specific dirt or stain needs to be removed such as efflorescence, oil, and grease stains.
Sealing
Sealing stone has many advantages, it provides protection from stains, facilitates easy cleanup, and can enhance the beauty of the stone. We highly recommend sealing all stone around a swimming pool, this is because swimming pools can contain salts and other chemicals which can leach into the surrounding areas. The cost of the sealers with vary according to its longevity and its application. For this reason, we always suggest seeking professional advice before making the final selection. At Edwards Slate & Stone we recommend Lithofin stone sealers.
Penetrating sealers
These sealers are used in outdoor areas and create a barrier against contaminants whilst maintaining a natural look.
Surface sealers
These sealers are used indoors and create a barrier on top of the stone is generally a gloss or matt finish.
Stone Variation
Natural stone is formed over millions of years with each piece being unique. We recommend visiting the showroom and seeing the displays boards or crates for a better idea of the stone. For best results select tiles from different crates to ensure a blend of colour on your project. In addition, the stone may alter in colour over a period of time after installation due to any natural oxides in the stone reacting with water and sunlight. This is a normal characteristic of stone and adds to the natural appeal of such material.
