How to Look After Your Slate Paving: Cleaning Guide

Looking after your slate paving helps it stay beautiful, last longer, and stay safe to walk on. Slate makes a great choice for outdoor paving thanks to its strength, lovely textures, and rich colours. But regular care is needed to stay in top condition.

Over time, things like dirt, algae, moss, and marks from leaves or bird droppings can build up on slate. This can make it look dull and feel slippery, especially in wet weather.

Regular cleaning stops lasting marks from setting in. For instance, if you leave fallen leaves, bird droppings, or garden bits on the slate for too long, especially when it's rainy, they can leave marks that are hard to shift.

Day-to-Day Care for Slate Paving

Slate paving adds a classic look to gardens and outdoor spaces, but it needs regular care to keep it looking good.

Here’s how to keep your slate paving looking its best:.

Regular Cleaning 

• Sweeping: Brush your slate often to get rid of leaves, dirt, and grit, especially during wet UK weather. Regular sweeping stops dirt from building up and makes deeper cleaning easier later on.
• Washing: Give your slate a quick wash with a garden hose once a week. For a better clean, use a bit of mild washing-up liquid and warm water, then gently scrub with a soft brush or broom. Make sure to rinse off all the soap with clean water.

Getting Rid of Marks

• Natural Marks: Leaves, moss, and algae can sometimes stain slate. For light marks, mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Spray it on, leave it for 10 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
• Oil or Grease Stains: If you spill oil or grease, cover it with baking soda to soak it up. Leave it for a few hours before scrubbing with warm, soapy water.

Stopping Moss & Algae

• Damp spots can grow moss or algae, which makes the surface slippery. To clear this, mix one part bleach with ten parts water. 
• Put it on gently, wait about 10 minutes, then scrub lightly and rinse well. Don't leave bleach on for too long, as it can fade the slate's natural colour.

Sealing Your Slate

Putting a good quality sealer on your slate every year or two will protect it from damp and marks. This really helps during rainy months, as it stops water soaking in and harming the slate. Always follow the instructions on your sealer for the best results.

Extra Tips

Stay away from strong chemicals and pressure washers as they can harm your slate. For stubborn marks, use a cleaner made for stone rather than anything too harsh.

If you spot any chips or cracks in the slate, fix them straight away before they get worse. A bit of regular care will keep your slate paving looking lovely for years.

Fixing Common Problems with Slate Paving

Slate paving brings natural beauty to gardens and outdoor spaces, but like any stone, it needs looking after to keep it looking its best. Here's how to sort out common problems and get your slate looking fresh again

Tackling Stains and Marks

• Natural Marks: Wet weather can lead to marks from leaves, moss, and algae on slate. Usually, a mix of white vinegar and water does the trick. Spray it on, wait 10-15 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft brush and rinse well.
• Oil or Grease Spills: If oil or grease gets on your slate, sprinkle baking soda over it to soak it up. After a few hours, wash it with warm soapy water. For tough marks, try a cleaner made specially for stone.

Managing Moss and Algae

Moss and algae often grow on slate in shady, damp spots, making it slippery. A mix of bleach and water (one part bleach, ten parts water) can help. Spray it on the mossy bits, wait a few minutes, then scrub gently and rinse. Don't use too much bleach as it can fade your slate's natural colour.

Bringing Back Faded Slate

Slate can lose its colour over time, especially in sunny or open spots. A slate colour restorer can bring back its natural shades and stop more fading. Always test a small area first and follow the product's instructions.

Fixing Chips and Cracks

• Small chips and cracks in the slate can get worse if you leave them. For minor damage, clear glue or stone repair paste works well.
• Clean the spot, then put on the paste and smooth it with a putty knife. If the slate is badly damaged, you might need to replace individual slabs to keep everything looking even.

Sealing for Protection

Sealing your slate every year or two creates a shield against damp, marks, and fading. This is especially helpful given the UK's changeable weather. A good stone sealer protects the slate's colour and makes it easier to clean.

Final Thoughts

The Stonemart offers top-quality products to help you look after and clean your slate paving, keeping its natural beauty intact. With our high-quality sealants and cleaners, you can protect your slate paving from Britain's changeable weather, helping it last for years. We're here to help with all your slate care needs!