New home with riven slate bathroom- how to clean and maintain it?

[Mcarey]

Hi everyone!

i've moved to a house with riven slate flooring and shower. How do I keep it nice, and what should I avoid using? I don't know if it's been sealed, how do i tell? I am a total novice here and massively out of my depth!

We live in a hard water area and the shower tiles have water marks which i assume is from using the shower but could it be incorrect cleaning products used in the past to get rid of the lime scale they are kind of white ish long drips on the slate. Anyhow, any advice on what to do to clean it as a starting point here would be great!!

Finally (!) the grout between two adjoining walls has cracked in the shower, how would I regrout and clean it up without ruining the slate.

( I wish the bathroom were simpler! I'm terrified of ruining it :-D )


Thanks to any one and everyone who can help.

 

[Bubblecraft]

Hi & welcome to TF

 

[DHTiling]

It might actually be wise to give a nice good clean and a re-seal..

if you wet your finger and wipe the slate , does it wet up .?

 

[Mcarey]

Hi! Yes, it does wet up ( if that means it looks all shiny wet when water is on it). I assume that's good? Are there products you think are good when sealing and cleaning? Thanks for replying

 

[C&S]

My advice would be to remove the sealer, clean the slate, take out as much of the old grout as possible, let everything dry off for a day or two. Then;
SEAL FIRST
let it dry
Re Grout
Let it dry
Silicone the joints

Do NOT use products 'off the shelf' from your local supermarket.
Lithofin or LTP do a full range of sealers, cleaners and maintenance products.

 

[swanman]

Good Luck