Nottinghamshire Floor Restoration Expert Details How to Restore Painted Brick Flooring in Ollerton

We were asked by our client in Ollerton, near Sherwood Forest, to renovate a couple of original brick floors that dated to the Georgian period. The floors were in a recently renovated cloakroom and the utility room and had been left to the end of the works.

 

Both floors had been painted at some point in their long history hiding some of the original features of the property. We can improve old floors like these, but I do have to set the expectations of the client. We can definitely make big improvements, but floors of this age can rarely not be restored to their original appearance. The other problem of course is its impossible to see what we are dealing with until all the paint is removed, and the floor is uncovered. The client was very keen to try and gave us the go ahead to do the renovation, they agreed to my quote and we booked in a suitable date in to carry out the work.

 

18th century floors like these do not have damp proof membranes and can be laid directly onto compacted soil, as a result efflorescence where moisture rises through the floor can be a common problem. Normally I use a lot of water to clean a floor but in this case, I didn't want to exacerbate any damp issues and introduce more moisture into the sub flooring, so I used gel cleaning products.

 

Removing Paint from Georgian Brick Flooring

To remove the numerous latest of paint from the bricks they were covered in a strong paint stripper and then covered with a plastic sheet, leaving it overnight. The following day with the paint softened the bricks were deep cleaned with Tile Doctors Oxy-Gel and Acid Gel combined and worked in with light diamond abrasive pads. This stripped the paint from the brick flooring along with old worn coatings allowing it to be lightly rinsed with water and the soiling removed with a wet vacuum.

The process had to be repeated in a couple of areas that were particularly stubborn but eventually we got there. The floor we uncovered was quite different and was then to dry out for a few days before we could tackle the sealing.

 

Sealing Georgian Brick Flooring

On our return the day the brick flooring was sealed with Tile Doctor X-Tra Seal to saturation point. This is a colour enhancing impregnating sealer that forms a protective breathable finish that will cope with the excess moisture and help manage the efflorescence problem.

 

For aftercare I left the client with a bottle of Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner and advised them how to maintain. This product is pH neutral so will not damage the newly applied seal unlike some of the household cleaners on the market. It should keep the floor in good condition and ensure that maintenance is minimal moving forward. Our client was very happy with the work we carried out and delighted with the improvement of the floor particularly the colour!

 

Source: Brick Floor Restoration Service in Ollerton Nottinghamshire

How to Lay Tile Over Heat Coils

One reason people may shy away from installing their own in-floor heating coils is because they do not know how to lay tile. Follow the simple steps below to give your room a whole new look and feel.

Step 1: Place Electric Mat

Follow instructions for the mat installation, keeping it at least 3 inches from drains, walls and fixtures. Keep it in place using staples or double-sided tape. If the power lead is thicker than the mat, sink it into the sub floor so the floor is level.

Step 2: Pick Your Starting Point

One of the most important parts of learning how to lay tile, is knowing where to start. You should start in a corner and work toward the center of the room.

Step 3: Level the Surface

Use self-leveling compound to level the floor. Pour the compound and spread it over the surface with a grout float. Then, follow the instructions from the manufacturer on allowing it to dry.

Step 4: Prepare to Install Tiles

In learning how to lay tile, make a guideline to help you apply your tile by measuring an even distance from your starting spot and marking a line on the floor. You can use a straight edge or a chalk line.

Step 4: Install Tile 1 Small Area at a Time

Be systematic in how to lay tile. Spread thin-set onto about a 3 square feet area at a time. Thin-set dries quickly, so only spread it over an area that you can apply tile to in 15 minutes. Start small if you are unsure. Use your guideline to apply tile. Place spacers at the corner of the tiles as you apply them. Lift a tile occasionally to make sure the whole back is covered with thin-set. Press harder on the tile when if needed. Use a piece of scrap wood and gently tap the tile with your hammer to even tiles. Now you know how to lay tile. Continue the process until all full tiles are applied.

Step 5: Clean Excess Thin-Set

Clean up any thin-set that has squeeze out between tiles while still wet; otherwise, it will interfere with your grout. After all full tiles have been set, allow to dry for a day.

Step 6: Apply Corner and Edge Tiles

Measure the spaces for each tile and make the necessary cuts. Use a wet saw or nippers to adjust your tiles. Your jagged edges from the cuts should be faced toward the wall. Apply thin-set to the back of the tile and press it into place.

Step 7: Apply Grout

After the thin-set has dried, remove tile spacers and spread grout across the tiles. Make sure you get it well into the spaces between tiles. Use a moist sponge to remove the excess, rinsing the sponge as you go. Use a grout tool to smooth the edges and joints. Let the grout dry, and then wipe the tile surface with a dry towel to remove residue.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Saltillo Tile Maintenance

A home adorned with Saltillo tile will not only be given a Mexican touch but will also be made beautiful. This low-cost flooring option is gaining much popularity as the materials are non-toxic and each tile will give a natural feel on one’s flooring. In order to enjoy all these, here are the maintenance tips that you can apply at home.

Keep Chemicals off the Tiles

Although the tiles are relatively sturdy, they can be weakened and damaged by chemicals which may encourage the fragility of the tile. Thus, it is important to keep chemicals off the tiles. Whenever it is splashed with chemicals, immediately dry it with a clean rag and make sure that none is left on the tiles, especially in the junctions between them.

Immediately Remove Spills

It is inevitable that food, dirt, and other stuff can fall onto your tiles. Once this happens, immediately wipe the tiles clean to keep the tile from staining. Slightly dampen the mop with a mild cleaner to achieve this. Again, the cleaning should be done immediately after the spills were noticed, otherwise, you will find your tiles with an added color.

Keep the Tiles Dry

If the tiles are exposed to water, such as if the house gets flooded, the water retained in the tiles will weaken them. So make sure that the tiles are protected from flooding or, if it is impossible, not to get it soaked in water, then make sure to dry it completely after the flood. You can do this by draining the water, mopping away the dirt, wiping it dry with a rag, or even making use of an electric fan to speedily dry it up.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Floor Tile Cleaning Expert Demonstrates how to Renovate Quarry Tiles in Stoke-on-Trent

The Red Quarry tiled floor shown below are from the hallway of a house in the village of Barlaston that dates to the early 1900’s. Hallways get a lot of use and over the years the tiles had seen a lot of wear and were now looking patchy with various levels of staining and dirty grout.

After surveying the floor and running a few tests I was able to give the homeowner a quote for the work which would take two days, the first to clean and the second to apply a sealer that would protect the tiles from staining going forward. Happy with the quote we scheduled a date for the work to commence.

Deep Cleaning a Quarry Tiled Hallway in Barlaston

To clean up the tiles I applied a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean which is our go to tile and grout cleaning product. Its best to leave it on the tile and grout for ten minutes or sometimes longer to give it time to break down the dirt and coatings. The floor was then scrubbed with a rotary machine fitted with a poly brush attachment and a stiff grout brush along the grout lines.

The combination of the cleaning agent and mechanical scrubbing releases the dirt from the tile to the surface where its removed with a wet vacuum. Once the floor was clear the tiles were then inspected and the process repeated where needed.

Last step of the cleaning process was to treat the tiles to an acid wash with grout clean-up. I highly recommend this for old floors like this one which were installed before the invention of the damp proof membrane. The problem is without a DPM moisture can rise through the tiles and deposit salts on the surface of the tile as it evaporates, a process known as efflorescence. If you look closely at the photos above you can spot white staining as a result. As well as countering the alkaline salts the acid will also remove old grout smears and neutralise the use of the alkaline Pro-Clean used earlier.

After a final rinse and vacuum the Quarry tiles were left to dry off overnight.

Sealing a Quarry Tiled Hallway Floor in Barlaston

Applying sealer to a damp floor can result in a patchy appearance so on my return I first tested the floor with a damp meter to ensure it was dry. All was well so I able to move onto applying the sealer and for this floor I chose to use Tile Doctor Seal and Go.

Seal and Go works very well on Quarry Tiles improving their appearance and adding an appealing satin finish. The tiles really soaked up the sealer and I had to apply four coats before I was satisfied it was fully sealed.

Once done the tiles were transformed and my client was very pleased with their new hallway floor. Before leaving I took time to discuss aftercare cleaning for which I recommend Tile Doctor Neutral Cleaner which is a gentle but effective product that won’t harm the sealer.

Source: Quarry Tile Cleaning, Restoration and Sealing Service in Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire

How to Remove Broken Sanded Grout

Sanded grout is commonly used to complete tiled installations, especially porcelain and ceramic tiles. It is also used to fill joints between stones and concrete blocks. The grout has a rough texture due to the sand content. With time, the grout may break due to normal aging or because of some heavy impact. This creates an untidy appearance that spoils the beauty of your installation.

It is best to remove broken grout and replace it with new grout. If left unattended, it provides an entryway for moisture into your installation. This invites more damage and more costs for you. You can easily undertake repair of the damaged grout with the help of the guide below.

What You'll Need:

• Plastic sheets
• Duct tape
• Rotary cutter, with masonry cutting bit
• Wet-dry vacuum
• Sanded grout
• Grout float
• Mild detergent
• Water
• Bucket
• Mop
• Sponge
• Safety goggles
• Breathing mask

Preparations

If the repair is to take place in a room, it is best to remove most of the loose objects from the room. This will ensure that dust doesn’t settle on the items. Spread plastic sheets over fixed objects and other areas of the room you don’t want to be disturbed. Secure the sheets with duct tape. Put on safety goggles and a breathing mask to protect against dust.

Cut through the Grout

Use your rotary cutter to cut into the broken grout. Begin at the damaged point and work your way all around the tile or stone. Use short, swift movements to cut back and forth into the grout. Steadily cut into the grout until your cutter reaches the substrate. You’ll know you’ve reached the substrate when you notice a different color from the grout. Be careful not to damage the adjacent tiles or stones as you cut through the grout.

Vacuum

Use a wet-dry vacuum with a hose attachment to remove dust from the site and adjacent areas. Clean the area with a damp sponge to clear all traces of dirt and fine dust. Allow about 3 hours for the area to air-dry. You may use a heat gun or hairdryer if you want the area to dry faster.

Add New Grout

Prepare enough sanded grout to replace the one removed. Use a grout float to fill the grout into the cleared joints. It is best to apply small amounts at a time as it makes it easier to fit along the grout line. Be sure the new grout matches the level of the old grout at the surface. This helps to create a uniform appearance. Wipe away excess grout with a damp sponge before it dries up. Allow 24 hours for the new grout to cure completely.

Cleaning

Prepare a solution of mild detergent and water in a bucket. Remove all the plastic sheets used to cover items or floor space. Use a sponge to clean the wall or a mop for the floor. Replace all items you may have removed from the room earlier.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Polished Travertine Tile Care and Maintenance

Travertine tiles are made with limestone. It is commonly known as travertine marble or travertine limestone and is usually polished. Travertine tiles are a favorite choice among designers because of their exquisite colors and textures. Travertine has a natural beauty that can accent homes nicely. It contains natural imperfections, such as depressions and cavities, which give it its character. This makes proper care and maintenance of travertine tiles a little more challenging.

Regular Sweeping and Cleaning

Polished travertine tile can lose its shine due to dust and soil. Sweeping, dry-mopping, and vacuuming regularly can prevent the pits of the tiles from collecting dust. It is highly recommended to place floor mats or rugs in entryways to keep the dirt out. Clean regularly. Mop the floor with a cleaner for travertine or mild cleaner. Then, mop again with clear water to prevent residue buildup. Wipe the floor with a dry mop or towel to avoid streaking.

Use Household Cleaners Which Contain Acid

Travertine tiles are etched easily by acids and stain easily. These substances remove the shine from polished travertine. Protect the tiles from acids with household cleaners that do not contain acid. To protect the tiles from being stained, use water-based cleaners or penetrating sealers. Use a wet cloth to wipe any spills immediately.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com 

Laying Glazed Porcelain Tile

Creating a floor that is both practical and decorative is easy to achieve, with one of the options being to lay glazed porcelain tile. Ensure a decent result from your work and gain a floor that meets your needs by following the correct steps for the installation process.

What You'll Need:

• Tiles
•  Grout
•  Tile adhesive
•  Trowel
•  Tile cutter
•  Tape measure
•  Spirit level

Prepare Surface

Clean the surface to which the glazed porcelain tile will be applied to ensure that it can be affixed properly. Use a spirit level to ensure that the surface is not uneven, and rectify this by pouring concrete.

Prepare Tiles

Measure the area of the floor over which the glazed porcelain tile will be spread and use the result to determine the dimensions of the tiles. Mark the tile with the measurements and cut accordingly. Dry fit the tiles to ensure that they fit correctly.

Lay Tiles

Spread the tile adhesive to the surface with a trowel, making sure that it is evenly spread, and carefully press the glazed porcelain tile in place. Leave the glue to dry once all the tiles have been fitted. Apply grout to the joins once the glue is dry, immediately removing any excess.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com