Slate backsplash--- seal or no seal?

Im looking for a natural look for my slate backsplash...(not yet installed) but am concerned that unsealed stone may absorb grease and kitchen "yuck".... Should I seal the slate--- if so--- with what? thank you! Sue

 

Dear Sue:

By saying slate you're saying very little – if anything at all. There are many different (and I do mean different) kinds of slates that span from dense and (almost) acceptable rocks, to slates that will actually fall apart under running water or turn into mud, and everything in between.

So which slate do you have?...

That said, certain slates can't be sealed at all (i.e.: roof-grade of chalk-board grade slate) but they could be sensitive to acidic spills…

Bottom line, if I were you, hoping that your slate is a decent one, I would consider applying a good-quality stone color enhancer/impregnator like MB-6. A treatment like that is the closest thing to turning your slate into a maintenance-easy material.

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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