Slate tile question

[TexasFirefighter]

I just spent about 6 hours sealing 45 slate tiles, front and back, to put down on my back porch...only to find out after I was done that the sealer that the HD flooring guy sold me was for "Interior use only"

So the question is, after they trade me the interior for the exterior sealer at Home Depot tomorrow...do I need to get 45 new tiles? Or can I just put the exterior sealant on the already sealed tiles and not worry about the tiles crapping out in a few years?

 

[chuychanga]

Ask the guys on the John Bridge tile forums.

Lot's of experts on there willing to share advice.

 

[Hornius Emeritus]

Man, Texas Firefighter ... if I were you, I'd be PISSED.

But then I think ... it's slate. What could be the difference between interior and exterior? As far as I know, slate grows outside in nature WITHOUT sealant.

 

[Summerof79]

I would just go right over the top of what you have done. I do wonder about sealing the underside?

Seal the **** out of it. I would be curious as to what the ingrediants that are differenct in the two producs. I amagine is more a durablity issue and a resistance to UV light for longevity.

 

[capnamerca]

Man, if you had any sort of decent help, that job would go a LOT faster.

 

[voteforhank]

If you sealed the bottom of your tiles, the thinset will not stick to them for any length of time. The grout could use a sealer, the slate tiles do not, in fact, it could make them slippery when wet if its silicone based sealer....

 

[alden]

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