Slate cleaning & sealing · Dublin & Leinster
Slate Cleaning & Sealing in Dublin
Slate gone pale, patchy or grey? Aaron deep cleans slate floors, hearths, fireplaces and tables, then uses Faber sealers and colour enhancers to bring back an even, deep colour.
Serving Dublin · Kildare · Wicklow · Meath
Slate jobs we've done
A porous slate fireplace
This slate was very porous and some of the old stains wouldn't fully come out, so it wasn't polished. The customer wanted it darker anyway, so we cleaned it and used Faber Deep Enhancer. She was very happy with the even, deep colour.
A slate table sealed with Faber Enhancer Plus
Got a marble fireplace instead? Read how to clean and polish a marble fireplace, or see our marble cleaning and polishing and tile and grout cleaning services.
Why slate goes grey and patchy
Slate is a layered stone, and most slate is porous. Over time dirt, soot, grease and cleaning residues build up on the surface and in the stone, so it looks faded, grey or patchy even after mopping.
We start with a deep clean using Faber products suited to the slate. Where an old surface coating has gone cloudy or is peeling, it may need to come off before anything else is done.
Once the slate is clean and dry, a Faber colour enhancer can bring back a darker, richer colour, or a breathable Faber sealer can protect it while keeping a natural look. Both soak into the stone instead of sitting on top as a plastic-like film.
Some stains won't fully come out of very porous slate. Aaron will tell you that up front and talk you through the options.
- Slate floors, hearths, fireplace surrounds, tables and steps
- Deep cleaning of dirt, soot and residue
- Removal of cloudy or peeling surface coatings
- Faber Deep Enhancer and Enhancer Plus for a darker, even colour
- Optional breathable Faber sealing
- Free quotes across Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath
Looking after slate
Sweep or vacuum grit first, then mop with a measured amount of a pH-neutral Faber stone cleaner and a clean microfibre pad. Avoid bleach, vinegar and strong degreasers.
On hearths, brush off soot and ash dry before wiping. If the colour starts to fade again over the years, the enhancer can be topped up.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you make faded slate darker again?
- Often, yes. After a deep clean, a Faber colour enhancer such as Faber Deep Enhancer or Enhancer Plus can bring back a darker, richer colour. How dark it goes depends on the slate, so Aaron tests it first.
- Will all the stains come out of my slate?
- Not always. Some slate is very porous and old stains can sit deep in the stone. Aaron will tell you honestly what cleaning can achieve before starting. On one fireplace the stains wouldn't fully lift, so at the customer's request we darkened the whole surface evenly with Faber Deep Enhancer.
- Do you polish slate?
- Slate is usually cleaned and then sealed or enhanced rather than polished to a shine. We'll recommend what suits your slate and the look you want.
- Should slate be sealed after cleaning?
- Sealing is optional. A breathable Faber sealer or enhancer can reduce absorption and make day-to-day cleaning easier. It doesn't make slate stain-proof.
- Do you clean slate floors and fireplaces?
- Slate floors, hearths, fireplace surrounds, tables, steps and window sills across Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath.
- How much does slate cleaning and sealing cost?
- It depends on the size and condition of the slate. Quotes are free after Aaron sees the job in person or from photos.
Ready to restore your floor?
Free, no-obligation quotes across Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath.
We work with Faber products
Aaron trained with Faber in Italy and follows Faber training and product recommendations for stone and tile care.