Renovating Damaged Stone Shower Tiles

One problem we encounter a lot at Tile Doctor is damaged caused to natural stone tiles by unsuitable household cleaning products. This customer, who lives in the small West Surrey village of Churt, had done this by attempting to use Cilit Bang, which is an acidic product, to remove limescale from his fantastic Slate tiled shower cubicle. While the product may indeed remove Limescale, it does say on the label that it should not be used on natural stone.


Putting these types of products in contact with acid-sensitive stone typically results in some sort of etching, however, I had never before seen the type of damage that had occurred on these Slate tiles. At first, I thought the damage - which appeared as a sort of white staining - might simply be damage to the sealer. But when I did a test clean to remove the sealer, it became clear that the stone had suffered from very deep staining and the only way to remove it would be to use a process we call burnishing.

Burnishing an Acid-Damaged Slate Tiled Shower Cubicle

The burnishing process is a type of polishing which involves the application of diamond burnishing pads in sequence. Each pad has a different level of grit, allowing for dirt and stains to be broken down before the stone is gradually polished. We typically use burnishing on Limestone, Marble, and Travertine, but it can be used on all manner of stone in the right circumstances. This being a vertical surface, I had to complete the process using smaller six-inch pads fitted to a handheld buffer. I started by applying the 400 grit (Coarse) pad, and followed on through to the 800 grit (Medium) and 1500 grit (Fine) pads, using a small amount of water as lubrication. I then left the tiles to dry until the next day. When I arrived back at the property, the customer remarked that the tiles looked massively improved. Nonetheless, I found I hadn't removed all the staining possible, so decided to repeat the burnishing process once - but this time used the pads without any lubrication. Once I was satisfied with the results, it was time to seal the tiles.

Sealing a Slate Tiled Shower Cubicle

My choice of sealer was Tile Doctor Colour Grow, which impregnates the stone to block ingrained dirt and staining. As the name of the product suggests, it also enhances the dark natural shades in the Slate, giving the shower cubicle a bold, healthy and rich appearance.


The customer was really pleased with the end result, which can be seen in the photographs above and below. So pleased was the customer, in fact, that he asked me to quote for the restoration of his Limestone tiled patio.




Source: Slate Tile Cleaning and Renovation Service in Surrey

Concrete Floor Restoration Options in Older Houses

Sometimes older houses need concrete floor restoration in order to make the floor look like new again. Restoring concrete floors require repairing damaged concrete and hiding the repairs using various strategies, such as stenciling, staining, or painting.

Concrete Patching

Small cracks on the floors of old houses can be fixed by patching it with a special mortar mix designed for concrete repairs. Before applying the patch, remove any loose debris on the damages and clean them thoroughly with a wire brush. Use a vacuum to remove any remaining dust or residue. Purchase a concrete patch mix. Pour the powder in a container and add water until a good consistency is achieved. Make sure that the patch is level with the concrete floor surface. Allow it to dry completely.

Concrete Injections

Cracks and joints may also be repaired using an injectable concrete repair product, such as hydraulic mortar or epoxy. Once the product is injected into the cracks, it fills in the gaps and creates a strong bond that will protect the concrete from further damage. If the holes on the cracks are too small, new holes can be drilled into them to allow the injecting device to access the inner gaps in the crack. Before applying the product, make sure to clean and remove any loose debris inside the cracks first.

Concrete Recasting

If the floor has a large extent of damage, the entire damaged area has to be demolished first. When the damaged area is removed from the floor, the damaged steel bar supports have to be replaced as well. Afterwards, the damaged area has to be cemented again with a better grade of concrete.

Staining

Staining is a great way to cover up the repaired concrete. Concrete patches and re-casted areas may be very noticeable after repair and need to be hidden. Staining is one of the best ways to restore the concrete floor and hide the repairs from public view. This method requires the use of an acid solution that will easily get absorbed in the concrete floor. When using this method, make sure to cover all surfaces connected to the floor with painter’s tape, especially the walls and the door. 

Painting and Stenciling

Painting the floor with epoxy-based paints is a good way to hide repaired areas on the floor. Use paints specifically designed for concrete floors. Stencils are ready-made patterns that can be placed on top of the floor to create elaborate designs when painting the floor. Use stencils only after staining or painting the concrete.

Sealing

After repairing, staining or painting the floor, it also needs to be sealed to ensure that it stays protected. A concrete sealer can be applied using a paint roller or a specialized sealer spray. Make sure that the floor is completely dry when doing this. Any trapped moisture can lead to further concrete damage. The sealer should also be reapplied after two years.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

The Pros and Cons of Terrazzo Floors

Terrazzo floors date back to the Renaissance.  Invented by the Venetians, they used terrazzo floors in cathedrals and other places of meaning. Even Michelangelo had terrazzo floors installed when he was working on St Peter’s Basilica. They have been installed in high rise office buildings, upscale doctor's offices and million dollar homes. Terrazzo floors are often known as Venetian mosaic, due to their appearance. They are made from chips of granite and marble that is placed in resin or concrete. Once the concrete or resin sets, you are left with a durable floor that resembles a mosaic. The following article goes over both the pros and the cons of having terrazzo floors installed in your home, office or place of business.

Cost

Terrazzo floors are probably the most expensive flooring you can ever have installed. They are more expensive than marble and granite. You are not only using a combination of two of the most expensive materials, but also using concrete or resin to set it. The process of installing terrazzo floors adds to the expense because it needs to be professionally installed, unlike marble, granite or concrete.

Beauty and Style

If what you want is a way to convey style, beauty and opulence, then nothing compares to terrazzo floors. You will wind up with a floor that is not only beautiful but unique. Terrazzo floors give you a look that no other floor can give you. Since manufacturers use small pieces of marble, granite and glass when making terrazzo floors, you can get a floor that is customized to your tastes and space.

Durability

Terrazzo floors, like other floors made from stone, can chip, but you really need to work at damaging terrazzo floors. They are one of the most durable floors you can have installed. The pieces of granite and marble are set in strong concrete or resin and when set, terrazzo floors will last for a long time while still looking as if it was installed the day before. You cannot compare terrazzo floors in durability to carpet, wood or even marble.

Cleaning Terrazzo Floors

Many feel that cleaning these floors is a difficult job because cleaning marble can be a chore. This is not the case with terrazzo floors. They are very difficult to stain, due to their texture. If you spill something on the floor, you can clean it up by using a mop dipped in plain water. There is no need to use cleaners that contain astringents or chemicals. There is also no need to scrub the floor.

Installation

You can install terrazzo floors yourself if you are installing tiles, but true terrazzo floors have to be installed by a professional. This makes terrazzo floors a specialized installation. Concrete or resin is first poured on the floor. On top of this sandy concrete is poured. On top of this layer the chips are placed by hand in intricate patterns. Once this is complete they are sanded down, cleaned and a sealer is applied to finish the floor. The terrazzo floor is then polished.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

How to Repair a Hole in a Natural Stone Floor

A natural stone floor provides a very pleasant look, but it does require some special care and attention which might, at times, be quite costly when compared with other flooring. This is especially the case if you opt to hire a professional repairer or restorer rather than attempting to do the work yourself. Here, we shall be discussing the basic steps you should follow in order to try to repair any holes that might develop in the natural stone floor.

What You'll Need

• Sandpaper
• Broom
• Scraper
• Water
• Bucket
• Rags
• Paintbrush
• Grout
• Sealer
• Soft cloth

Step 1: Examine The Floor

First of all, examine the floor well to check for any holes and other defects. If you notice any, try to ascertain the reason behind their development in order to be able to treat them accordingly, while making sure to prevent any new holes from developing.

Step 2: Sand the Hole

It is best that you hand-sand the hole to prepare it for the subsequent processes. Use some water to wet it while sanding for better results. Holes or small scratches will, in the vast majority of cases, be rough and have some loose small stones at the edges. Hence, if not sanded well, you will find problems filling it adequately, causing small holes to remain. This will ultimately end up ruining your work because if the hole is not filled in a solid manner, it will develop again over time.

Step 4: Clean the Hole

The next step is to clean the hole of any dust or other residues that might have accumulated around the hole’s edges and nearby areas. It is also recommended that you clean the area with some suitable cleaner diluted with some water. Before proceeding to the next step, make sure that you have allowed the hole to dry completely.

Step 5: Apply the Grout

Once you are done, start to apply some grout inside the hole. Make sure you use a good quality brand and one which is suitable for your stone. Use sparingly in order to fill the hole well. Any excess will then have to be cleaned off before drying up. Make sure you do not leave any open parts, as even if they are small, they are porous and will end up ruining the work and requiring you to repeat the whole process after a short period of time. Also, make sure to follow the particular instructions for the brand of grouting you use when applying it.

Step 6: Apply Sealer

At this point, you need to apply some sealer. You can apply it either by means of a brush or by using the tip of a soft cloth or small towel. If you are aware that your natural stone floor is very porous, it is best that you apply more than one coating of sealer for better final results.

By following these steps carefully, you will manage to repair any holes in your natural stone floors yourself.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Renovating Old Quarry Floor Tiles

It's not every day that I get to work on a 350-year old property, however, not too long I was contacted by a client who was in the process of renovating one in the village of Ringstead, complete with an original Quarry tiled floor.


After removing the old flooring in the property, the client had discovered a broken-up screed of concrete covering the original tiles, the remnants of which can be seen in the photos below. He proceeded to manually scrape the screed off over the course of several days - successfully removing about 60 per cent of it - but found there to be many stubborn areas and instances where the tiles were badly cracked and would need replacing. As a passionate renovator, the client treats restoring old properties as a labour of love, and only recruits professional help when he really needs it, so it was a real compliment to be consulted to see if the floor was salvageable. I’ve worked on floors in an equally bad state before so I was confident it could be restored, I provided a quote which was accepted and a date was agreed to start the work.

Cleaning 350-Year Old Quarry Tiles

Upon arriving at the property, my first course of action was to run my rotary machine, fitted with a dry concrete cleaning brush, over the entire area to remove dust and etch the area to allow the cleaning products to permeate the surface of the screed. I then vacuumed the area thoroughly before applying Tile Doctor Acid Gel across the entire area.


Acid Gel is a blend of phosphoric and hydrochloric acids in gel form which helps to remove inherent grout haze, efflorescence and other stubborn staining. The product was left to dwell for 20 minutes, before I repeated the action with the concrete cleaning brush to work the product into the tiles. Acid Gel was left on for a further 10 minutes and agitated with handheld brushes to clean the stone. Following this, the resulting cleaning slurry was removed with a wet-vac machine. To complete the cleaning process, I used a long handled scraper to score along the top of the remaining concrete and break it down by applying Tile Doctor Grout Clean Up, which is essentially the liquid version of Acid Gel. I carried out this action twice to ensure the removal of all the concrete.

Sealing 350-Year Old Quarry Tiles

The floor was then allowed to dry for 4 days; properties of this age have no damp proof membrane to the this provided time to allow excess moisture to evaporate following the cleaning. Returning to the property, I ran some quick deal tests to check that the Quarry tiles were ready to sealed. Once I was satisfied with the condition of the floor I proceeded to apply two coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow, our impregnating, breathable sealant which offers provides robust protection and enhances the natural reddish shades in the Quarry.


The client was very pleased with the results. Our work has helped him massively along the way to the complete renovation of this great property. His long-term plan is to keep the Quarry tiled floor as it is, however when he encloses the area under the stairs he will use the tiles from that area to replace cracked and damaged tiles that are in the centre of the room. If more tiles he intends to source them from a reclamation yard.




Source: Quarry Tile Cleaning and Renovation Service in Northamptonshire

How to Seal Tumbled Marble Tiles

If you're looking for an great way to protect your tumbled marble tiles from falling victim to excess moisture, you should consider sealing them. Well-sealed tumbled marble tiles will be considerably more resistant to mold, mildew and other tile-based filth than unsealed tiles.

What You'll Need

• Marble sealer
• All-natural stone cleaner
• Small paintbrush
• Nonabrasive washcloth
• Breathing mask
• Broom and dustpan
• Vacuum cleaner

Step 1 - Clean Your Tumbled Marble Tiles

Make sure to remove any dust deposits from your tiles before proceeding to seal them. Using a broom and dustpan, thoroughly sweep the tiled area until it is completely dust-free. Alternatively, this step can be performed with a vacuum cleaner that features brush attachments. Next, remove any dirt from the tiles with the aid of an all-natural stone cleaner and a nonabrasive washcloth. It's important that your stone cleaner be all-natural, as a standard stone cleaner may have a potentially dangerous chemical reaction when combined with your sealer.

Step 2 - Apply Your Sealer

With your tiles clean, it's time to apply your sealer. If you selected a spray-on sealer, spray it across the tiled area, then smooth it out with a nonabrasive washcloth or small paintbrush. If the sealer you purchased needs to be manually applied, use a small paintbrush to spread it evenly across the tiled area. Make sure to perform this step in a well-ventilated area, and, if you feel weak from the sealer fumes, wear a breathing mask. Lastly, allow the sealer to dry for the amount of time listed on its box.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Cleaning Tumbled Marble Flooring: Mistakes to Avoid

Cleaning tumbled marble flooring yourself can be tricky. There are many common but easily avoidable mistakes that can ruin your floor.

Avoid Generic Solutions

Tumbled marble does resemble many other types of stone in a superficial way. However, you should avoid using cleaning techniques designed for most stone floors unless you have specific information saying they will work. Tumbled marble is easy to accidentally damage, particularly if you do not seal your floor, use acidic cleaners, or scrub using abrasive materials.

Use the Right Cleaners

Using a generic cleaning product, even one designed for stone, is a mistake when dealing with tumbled marble flooring. You should be able to purchase a specially designed product for your tumbled marble floor. Be sure to follow this product's instructions carefully, taking extra care to follow  the section on dilution. More concentrated cleaners will require more dilution than others. Dilution will also effect how much rinsing you need to do before you can consider yourself done.

Use the Right Tools

Use a mop and a bucket to dilute and apply the cleaner to your marble floor. You can use an old toothbrush to clean the grout, but do not scrub your floor with an abrasive tool, as that will scratch the seal.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com