SITUATION

CAUSE

REMEDY

White film has formed on tiles prior to sealing

Efflorescence (salt formation)

Clean tiles with Lift Off prior to sealing

Tiles have turned white after sealing starting from grout lines

Tiles have been sealed too quickly after laying of tiles (eg moisture or efflorescence).

Tiles need to be stripped, cleaned and resealed.

Tiles have white in certain areas of the slate floor but not in all areas.

Tiles have been acid washed and not rinsed off thoroughly with water.

Tiles will need to be stripped, cleaned and thoroughly rinsed with water before resealing.

Sealer has not adhered to the surface and is peeling off.

The surface was not thoroughly clean when first sealed.

Tiles will need to be stripped, cleaned and resealed.

Sealer has dried very tacky.

The sealer has not cured properly.  This generally occurs with solvent based sealers.

Just reseal the tiles with original sealer or wash with solvent.

Sealer is scuffing very badly.

Generally caused by family pets or abrasive grit being brought into the house on shoes from outside.

Apply two coats of Slate Finish.

On resealing tiles with Slate Seal, the sealer is not drying properly.

A contaminant is present between two layers of sealer.  Problem is known as delamination.

Tiles will need to be stripped, cleaned and resealed.

Food and water stains appearing on slate.

Insufficient sealer applied to tiles.

Tiles need to be resealed with appropriate sealer.

On resealing with Slate Seal a white haze has appeared on floor.

Slate Finish has not been stripped prior to resealing with Slate Seal.

Tiles will need to be stripped, cleaned and resealed.