The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Fri Aug 02, 2013 11:24 pm**

Hello Experts,

I have just recently had some Black Slate laid down as a patio. It all looks great but I have noticed that it seems to mark and scratch quite easily. The supplier we bought it from did recommend that we use a sealant but Im not to sure about this. The reason being is that I think it may make the slate look really shiny and possibly could be slippy. At the same time though I do want the slate to last as it was not cheap. We also have a 1 year old who crawls all over the patio and will be walking soon.

Any advice would be much appreciated

What

Posted: **Sat Aug 03, 2013 4:39 am**

CJ slate has been used on roofs for hundreds of years with no sealant
if you really want to seal use lithofin or dry treat for an invisible finish ,but always try in an out of the way area first or even better an offcut
cheers LLL

Posted: **Sat Aug 03, 2013 8:47 pm**

Categorically you do not need to seal it. We've had unsealed Slate laid down on our display for over 3 years and it looks as good today as it did the day it was laid.

Sealing will not prevent it from scratching by the way. Leave it be for a few weeks and it wil settle down. I would say that because its been recently laid you are noticing every little bit of dirt or blemishes. That feeling will pass in a few weeks

Posted: **Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:07 pm**

Cheers guys thanks very much for the advice. I think I wont bother sealing it. I want keep the natural look as much as possible. I think you are probably right Im noticing every little bit of dirt or scratch because its just been laid. Thanks again

The Brew Cabin

To seal or not to seal