Slate tile in the shower????

We are remodeling the master bath and I found some 4 x 4 slate tile that I love. But, reading some of your answers to other questions, you said "slate does not belong in the shower." Can you tell me why? You've mentioned also if it's installed correctly that it would be fine. I'm confused... Thank you!!

 

Dear Vicki:

The reason why I do not recommend slate in a shower is quite simple and come in two folds: First, I have received all too many reports of slate failure in showers (almost all of them with no solution) for me to disregard them. Poor installation? Maybe. The wrong slate? Maybe. You never know what the real reason is, which brings us to the second fold of my reason:

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

So which slate do you have?

And please don't try to tell me the name of it (too many for me to remember and to classify – not to mention they may not be same all the time). Even its description wouldn't enable me to make any intelligent and sure assessment.

Sorry… L

Of course, if the industry were regulated, instead of being the wild and merry bunch like it is now, it would be a different story, but unfortunately it is not the cas e and that is one more reason why the world need marblecleaning.org.

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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