This was the situation when a client contacted us to discuss the restoration of a beautiful original Victorian tiled floor in the front reception room of their Grade II Listed property in Lostwithiel.
The floor featured traditional red hexagonal tiles surrounded by a striking geometric border of contrasting cream, red and dark tiles. Although the design remained intact, the surface had lost much of its appearance, with a worn and failing topical sealer affecting the finish of the tiles.
The client wanted to restore the floor and bring out the beauty of this original feature once again.
Assessing the Victorian Tiled Floor
Before recommending a restoration process, we visited the property in Lostwithiel to assess the condition of the Victorian tiles and carry out a test clean.Test areas are an important part of our approach to tile and stone restoration. They allow us to evaluate how the surface responds to the proposed treatment and help us establish the most appropriate method for achieving the desired result.
The client was delighted with the improvement demonstrated by the test area, so happy with our quotation we agreed a date to return and carry out the full restoration.
Removing the Old Sealer and Deep Cleaning the Tiles
The first stage of the restoration was to remove the old, failing topical sealer. Over time, sealers can deteriorate and become uneven, detracting from the appearance of the tiles and making the floor harder to maintain.To tackle this, we used coarse-grit diamond pads on a rotary floor machine, beginning with a relatively soft 50-grit diamond pad and Tile Doctor Pro-Clean diluted at a ratio of 5:1 water to solution.
The diamond pads were used with water lubrication, allowing us to work across the floor without generating the dust associated with dry grinding. The process also helped remove surface soiling and the unwanted sealer.
We then progressed through a sequence of diamond grits: 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 grit. Working progressively through these grades refined the surface and helped close the pores of the porous clay tiles, preparing them for sealing.
This staged approach is particularly useful when restoring traditional tiled floors, as the aim is not simply to remove dirt. It is also to remove the deteriorated surface coating and create a suitable, consistent finish for the new sealer.
Once the old coating and surface soiling had been removed, the floor was ready for the next stage.
Neutralising the Floor and Allowing It to Dry
After the diamond-pad cleaning process, we treated the floor with Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up, an acidic cleaner used here to neutralise the floor following the alkaline cleaning stage.The floor was then left to dry thoroughly before sealing.
Because the diamond pads require water lubrication, a considerable amount of water had been used during the restoration. We therefore allowed several days for the tiles to dry before returning to complete the work.
Drying is especially important when working with Victorian tiled floors. Many original installations were laid without a modern damp-proof membrane (DPM), and their porous clay tiles can absorb moisture from the ground beneath the property.
As this moisture evaporates, it can sometimes carry soluble salts to the surface, creating white deposits known as efflorescence. These deposits can interfere with the appearance of a newly restored floor and may affect the performance of the sealer.
Fortunately, this floor showed no signs of salt deposits emerging during the drying period, so no additional treatment for efflorescence was required.
Sealing the Victorian Tiled Floor
Once the floor was sufficiently dry, we applied two coats of Tile Doctor X-Tra Seal which is an oil-based impregnating sealer designed to protect suitable porous tile and stone surfaces. It was selected for this project to provide protection while enriching the colours of the original tiles.Choosing the right sealer is an important part of Victorian tile restoration. A suitable sealer helps protect porous tiles against everyday dirt and staining, while enhancing their appearance and making routine cleaning easier.
After applying the two coats, we buffed the floor using a white pad on the rotary machine. This final step helped even out the finish and leave the surface looking consistent.
A Beautiful Original Feature Restored
The completed floor looked considerably fresher, with the rich red tiles and contrasting geometric border once again standing out as a feature of the reception room.
The clients were so pleased to see this beautiful original feature in their home sing again. The real benefit was being able to enjoy this beautiful original floor again rather than consider the cost and disruption of replacing it.
For aftercare I left the customer with a bottle of Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner which is a ph neutral tile cleaner that will effectively clean the floor without impacting the sealer.
This project demonstrates why professional Victorian tiled floor cleaning and sealing can be such a worthwhile investment for owners of period properties. With the correct equipment, suitable cleaning products and a carefully managed restoration process, an old floor can often be transformed while preserving the character that makes it special.
