What strip and seal involves

Strip and seal is a maintenance option for a stone floor with an old polish or sealer that needs to be removed and renewed. The floor is cleaned before a suitable new treatment is applied. It can refresh the appearance of the existing finish, but it does not remove deeper scratches or uneven stone. Those problems may require grinding or more extensive polishing instead.

Cleaning, grout and the new seal

The first stage is to assess the stone and the existing coating. Cleaning and stripping then remove the old polish or seal where appropriate. The floor and its grout joints need attention during this stage, because residue in the joints can affect the finished appearance. Depending on the surface, the work may include a light polish before a new seal is applied.

The treatment is chosen for the stone and for what has already been used on it. An impregnating sealer and a surface coating behave differently, while water-based and solvent-based products are not automatically interchangeable. The final sheen depends on the stone, its condition and the selected treatment. The photographs on this page show a stone floor before and after the cleaning and finishing work.

If you are considering this service, tell us what stone you have, whether it has been sealed before and what you would like to change. Photographs of the full area and close-ups of worn patches or grout will help us discuss the appropriate approach.