Hi, I am working on a Victorian building with an existing York stone slab floor in one room. We have lifted and reset a couple of the slabs, and successfully cleaned out all the joints and repointed them. Now it needs cleaning and proofing- someone has suggested Wexa for cleaning and Stone soap? for finishing. Any advice welcome.
- Thread starter alpinist
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JoceAndChris
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Hi alpinist and welcome to the forum. I've seen this question posted a lot here and as far as I'm aware it never gets a conclusive answer...
I'm also interested in how people have "finished" their stone floors, I've seen one that's just had linseed oil put on , and it looks very nice (though it does darken the stone and create a shine so you have to decide if you like that).
I've not heard about wexa and stone soap for finishing I'm afraid.
If you check back here in about a month I think I'll be on my hallway one and I'll post before and after pics. I plan to use these 3 products by Liberon:
http://www.liberon.co.uk/stone/stone-floor-cleaner,434,464.html?&args=Y29tcF9pZD0zMDQmYWN0aW9uPWZpY2hlUHJvZHVpdCZpZD0xNTEmfA%3D%3D
http://www.liberon.co.uk/stone/colour-enhancer-stone-floor-sealer,434,464.html?&args=Y29tcF9pZD0zMDQmYWN0aW9uPWZpY2hlUHJvZHVpdCZpZD0xNTImfA%3D%3D
http://www.liberon.co.uk/stone/stone-floor-shine,434,464.html?&args=Y29tcF9pZD0zMDQmYWN0aW9uPWZpY2hlUHJvZHVpdCZpZD0xNTMmfA%3D%3D
The cleaning would all depend on how bad it is. Mine's pretty paint speckled: I've had good results with fine wire wool and soapy water before so I plan to repeat that. Good luck, let us know how you get on.
I'm also interested in how people have "finished" their stone floors, I've seen one that's just had linseed oil put on , and it looks very nice (though it does darken the stone and create a shine so you have to decide if you like that).
I've not heard about wexa and stone soap for finishing I'm afraid.
If you check back here in about a month I think I'll be on my hallway one and I'll post before and after pics. I plan to use these 3 products by Liberon:
http://www.liberon.co.uk/stone/stone-floor-cleaner,434,464.html?&args=Y29tcF9pZD0zMDQmYWN0aW9uPWZpY2hlUHJvZHVpdCZpZD0xNTEmfA%3D%3D
http://www.liberon.co.uk/stone/colour-enhancer-stone-floor-sealer,434,464.html?&args=Y29tcF9pZD0zMDQmYWN0aW9uPWZpY2hlUHJvZHVpdCZpZD0xNTImfA%3D%3D
http://www.liberon.co.uk/stone/stone-floor-shine,434,464.html?&args=Y29tcF9pZD0zMDQmYWN0aW9uPWZpY2hlUHJvZHVpdCZpZD0xNTMmfA%3D%3D
The cleaning would all depend on how bad it is. Mine's pretty paint speckled: I've had good results with fine wire wool and soapy water before so I plan to repeat that. Good luck, let us know how you get on.
And a lot will depend on the sort of effect you're looking for. I've seen stone floors that have an almost mirror finish, and others that are matt. To a certain extent it's a balance between aesthetics and the amount of effort you'll be prepared to put in to maintain your chosen finish.
Until the subject began to come up on the forum I'd never given it much thought, and when we discovered lovely big flagstones under all the carpet, underlay, lino, paint and cement screed (in that order) it never occurred to me to do anything to them - apart, that is, from keeping them reasonably clean with occasional vacuuming. They seem very good-tempered beasts, and have a sort of natural sheen that I rather like.
Until the subject began to come up on the forum I'd never given it much thought, and when we discovered lovely big flagstones under all the carpet, underlay, lino, paint and cement screed (in that order) it never occurred to me to do anything to them - apart, that is, from keeping them reasonably clean with occasional vacuuming. They seem very good-tempered beasts, and have a sort of natural sheen that I rather like.
JoceAndChris
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Moo- that was a lovely summary, very helpful.
I think they do get shinier and shinier the less you do (especially in a cooking area), especially if like me, you're always running round in socks. Then I notice that there are particular stones that just stay rough looking, and seem very pitted and porous, whilst others have the smoothness of glass.
Some also say that over time cleaning with Ecover imparts a natural-looking sheen.
I think they do get shinier and shinier the less you do (especially in a cooking area), especially if like me, you're always running round in socks. Then I notice that there are particular stones that just stay rough looking, and seem very pitted and porous, whilst others have the smoothness of glass.
Some also say that over time cleaning with Ecover imparts a natural-looking sheen.
Carol
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I have not heard of Wexa or stone soap either.
We have used the Liberon stuff, before but now just use water and a scrubbing brush on our flagstones, unless they have been subjected to something nasty. We have also tried linseed oil and (once only) milk.
We had lots of different suggestions from locals and the forum but found water easiest and cheapest after the first polish wore off. The pacing of feet over time does a lovely polishing, but you might need to seal if it marks badly.
We have used the Liberon stuff, before but now just use water and a scrubbing brush on our flagstones, unless they have been subjected to something nasty. We have also tried linseed oil and (once only) milk.
We had lots of different suggestions from locals and the forum but found water easiest and cheapest after the first polish wore off. The pacing of feet over time does a lovely polishing, but you might need to seal if it marks badly.
FamilyWiggs
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Ecover has linseed oil in it.
We've only ever used linseed oil - but that is on slate flags and heather browns. Some say there is a risk of it going black though.
The best thing for flags seems to be traffic. The second best thing is Joce in her socks. I'm sure Chris will rent her out...
We've only ever used linseed oil - but that is on slate flags and heather browns. Some say there is a risk of it going black though.
The best thing for flags seems to be traffic. The second best thing is Joce in her socks. I'm sure Chris will rent her out...
JoceAndChris
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Steady on, old chap! He doesn't even know where the cutlery lives - he would die!
Carol
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Hence
But not as bad as old casein distemper!
