Expert Deep Cleaning for Natural Slate Surfaces
Slate's unique 'riven' texture is beautiful, but it is a nightmare to clean with a mop, which often just 'shaves' itself on the sharp edges.
Effective cleaning methods for uneven, textured natural stone.
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock. Its natural 'cleft' or riven surface is slip-resistant and durable, but it's also excellent at trapping dirt in its many ridges and valleys. Over time, slate can look dull and 'chalky' as the stone dries out and old sealers fail.
Our slate service uses aggressive mechanical agitation (using brushes, not pads, to follow the uneven surface) and high-pressure steam extraction to blast out the soil that a mop simply can't reach. We then apply a 'colour-enhancing' sealer that brings back the deep blacks, greens, and purples of the natural stone.
- Brush-based agitation reaches into the riven 'valleys' of the stone.
- High-pressure extraction removes built-up wax and old sealers.
- Colour-enhancing sealers restore the rich, dark tones of the slate.
- Removes the 'mop-shred' lint that gets trapped on sharp edges.
- Available for both riven (textured) and honed (smooth) slate.
The challenge of the riven surface
If you've ever tried to mop a riven slate floor, you'll know that the mop often catches on the edges, leaving behind tiny white fibres (lint). This lint then attracts more dirt, making the floor look even messier.
We use industrial cylindrical brush machines that spin at high speeds, flicking the dirt out of the crevices and vacuuming it away instantly. No mop-heads are harmed in our process!
Restoring the 'wet look' with topical sealers
Slate often looks best when it has that deep, 'just-rained-on' look. We use high-quality topical sealers that provide a protective layer over the ridges, making the floor much smoother and easier to maintain for your daily cleaning staff.
Why businesses ask us for this
- • Riven slate requires mechanical brush cleaning to reach into the texture.
- • Professional sealing prevents the stone from looking dull and chalky.
- • Deep cleaning removes the 'lint' and soil build-up that mops leave behind.
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Revitalise Your Slate Floor
Bring back the rich colours of your slate. Contact our Preston team for a quote.