slate tile in shower walls falling apart

how can i clean all the soap and calcium and mildew deposits without damaging the slate? i notice that there is some deterioration at the bottom section of the walls and the slate keeps peeling off. i would like to seal it very good what should i do?

 

Dear Rosario:

 

“ i would like to seal it very good ”

 

And with what?... And why?...

With all the water that you have behind and under those tiles that already caused your slate to effloresce (“lime” and “soap scum”), develop mildew ad mold and spall (peeling off) so badly (translation: your stone is rotten through and through and the damage that you see at the surface is nothing compared with what's underneath it) now you want to seal it in?!?...

I already know that you will probably go all over the place hoping that I'm wrong; and you will probably spend time and money trying this and trying that.

But mark my words: it's jackhammer time! And the sooner you do that, the better it will be for your sanity and your wallet.

And do not ever install slate again in a shower stall, unless you know that the particular slate you have in mind is appropriate for installation in a wet environment (which are very and far between samples), and that is installed right.

 

Once again: does the world need marblecleaning.org, or what?!

 

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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