Ramsbottom Tile Cleaning Archives - South Lancashire Tile Doctor

Kerridge Sandstone Kitchen Floor Renovation Rawtenstall Rossendale

Smooth Kerridge Sandstone Tiled Kitchen Floor Renovated in Rawtenstall

We were contacted by a new homeowner in Rawtenstall, which is in the borough of Rossendale, who having just moved in decided to contact us about her Sandstone kitchen floor. The stone floor was terribly dirty and was proving impossible to clean.

The stone was very smooth and having discussed it locally she had been told it was Kerridge Sandstone. I suspected from our conversations that it had not been sealed successfully as apparently even water from wet shoes would soak straight into the stone and cause staining.

Kerridge Sandstone Kitchen Floor Before Cleaning Rawtenstall Rossendale

I went over to survey the floor and discuss its renovation. Whilst there I was able to confirm the issues with the sealer and recommended deep cleaning the stone floor, stripping off what was left of the old sealer in the process and then re-sealing with something more durable.

I worked out a renovation plan and price, which was agreed, and scheduled a date for the work to start. Due to the unknown history of the floor, I expected the plan was going to require some adjustments to achieve the best result.

Stripping and Cleaning a Kerridge Sandstone Tiled Kitchen Floor

Working in sections the initial focus was to get the floor clean which started by soaking the sandstone floor in a strong solution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go. This product is a coatings remover and was left it to soak into the stone for ten minutes so it could get a head start breaking down the dirt and old sealer.

Kerridge Sandstone Kitchen Floor During Cleaning Rawtenstall Rossendale

The solution was then agitated with a rotary buffer machine fitted with a coarse 200-grit diamond pad. This action released the dirt from the pores of the stone bringing it to the surface and turning the cleaning solution black. The grout was also given a scrub by hand to make sure it was as clean as possible. During the process the soiled solution was rinsed off the floor with water and then extracted with a wet vacuum as needed.

Kerridge Sandstone Kitchen Floor During Cleaning Rawtenstall Rossendale

After another rinse and extraction, the floor was given and acid rinse using Tile Doctor Grout Clean-up. This further cleans the stone and neutralises the pH level of the floor after the use of Tile Doctor Remove and Go which is a strong alkaline.

After another rinse with water and extraction with the wet vacuum a 400 and then 800-grit burnishing pad was run over the floor to refine the appearance of the stone following the use of the coarser pads earlier. Only water is used during this process to help with lubrication, and this turns into a creamy liquid which is rinsed and extracted after each pad.

Kerridge Sandstone Kitchen After Cleaning Rawtenstall Rossendale

Kerridge Sandstone Kitchen Floor After Cleaning Rawtenstall Rossendale

The floor was dried as much as possible with the wet vacuum before being left to dry off fully overnight.

Sealing a Kerridge Sandstone Tiled Kitchen

The day after the floor was tested with a damp meter to check it was dry and then sealed with Tile Doctor X-Tra Seal which is a modern oil-based product that enhances colour and adds a slight sheen appearance that really lifts the floor. This product is an impregnator that works by soaking into the sandstone occupying the pores and thereby ensuring dirt remains on the surface where it can be easily cleaned away.

Kerridge Sandstone Kitchen Floor During Sealing Rawtenstall Rossendale

Once complete the difference was extraordinary, the natural veins in the stone were now visible and the floor was completely transformed by the work, much to the pleasure of the new owner who left the following feedback:

“I have recently moved to a lovely cottage in the country, my dream, but my stone kitchen floor was not a dream when I found that it was impossible to clean with years and years of ingrained dirt. However, this is no longer the case!! My kitchen floor looks brand new and now compliments the rest of the room. I can’t recommend Kevin highly enough; he is professional and very skilled. Thank you, Kevin.”

Kerridge Sandstone Kitchen Floor After Sealing Rawtenstall Rossendale

For the aftercare cleaning of Sandstone flooring, I recommend Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner which ideal for cleaning sealed stone. It has a pH neutral formula so won’t prematurely erode the sealer like many of the stronger products you find in supermarkets.

Professional Restoration of a Kerridge Sandstone Tiled Kitchen in South Lancashire

Smooth Kerridge Sandstone Tiled Kitchen Floor Renovated in Rawtenstall Read More »

Sandstone Flagstone Kitchen Floor Restoration Ramsbottom

Sandstone Flagstone Floor Milled and Restored in Ramsbottom

1 Comment / Ramsbottom Tile Cleaning, Sandstone Tile Cleaning / Kevin Parry

I was invited to this 300-year-old building in Ramsbottom, Lancashire to look at restoring a Sandstone Flagstone floor. Despite some minor repairs over the years, it was now in very poor condition and after renovating the property outside and in the owners felt it was now time to tackle the floor. Having done their research, they decided to call Tile Doctor in to do the renovation.

Sandstone Flagstone Floor Before Restoration Ramsbottom

Having visited the property, I recommended milling the floor to remove years of wear and to reveal the new stone underneath. With old rough flagstones like this it is the only way to retain the character yet have a more serviceable floor that won’t shred mops.

Sandstone Flagstone Floor Before Restoration Ramsbottom

Happy with my recommendation and quote I was given the go-ahead to do the work.

Cleaning a Sandstone Flagstone Tiled Kitchen

I started work by taking notes of moisture readings from various areas, these base reading will be used later to understand if the floor has dried sufficiently for sealing.

To mill the floor, I started with the application of a very coarse 50-Grit DRB pad which was fitted to a weighted buffing machine and run over each flagstone several times using only water for lubrication. Once that step was completed the floor was rinsed with more water and the slurry extracted using a wet vacuum. The coarse pad removes a very thin layer of stone off the top of the flagstone leaving it smooth.

The floor was then cleaned using Tile Doctor Remove and Go which was scrubbed in using a 240-grit carbide brush. Again, the floor was rinsed and the slurry extracted as before.

The 50-Grit pad is very coarse, so the next step was to refine the appearance of the stone using finer grit milling. Using the same process as before a 100-grit milling pad was applied to the stone with water, rinsed off and then the floor vacuumed. Then the process repeated with the 200-Grit milling pad.

The final step of the restoration was to give the floor an acid rinse using Tile Doctor Grout Clean-up worked in with a 200-grit soft pad. Again, the floor was rinsed and vacuumed afterwards.

With the sandstone flagstones now cleaned I turned my attention to the old pointing which was also in bad shape and crumbling in many areas. This was removed and re-pointed with a modern breathable pointing product.

The floor was left to dry out and I returned a few days later to seal the floor which will protect it going forward from staining and ingrained dirt etc.

Sealing a Sandstone Flagstone Tiled Kitchen

Before applying any sealer, I took several moisture readings for the floor and compared them with the base readings I had taken at the start of the job. There were a few areas of concern, but I was able to resolve this with floor fans until the readings were acceptable.

I was then able to proceed with the final step of sealing the floor for which I used Tile Doctor X-Tra Seal. This sealer is a fully breathable oil-based sealer which improves the appearance of the stone and being breathable will cope with any moisture rising through the floor. It’s very important to use a breathable sealer on an old floor as it won’t have the benefit of a damp proof membrane. The sealer was left to dry and then the process repeated with a second coat.

Sandstone Flagstone Floor After Restoration Ramsbottom

The Sandstone Flagstones were completely transformed by the process and my clients were over the moon with their new floor, they even left the following feedback:

“Kevin has just completed our very tired stone flags. The restoration was faultless from the first consultation to the hard work he put into it and the aftercare advice was amazing. We can’t thank Kevin enough for his professionalism, fantastic knowledge, hard work and friendly manner. Our floor looks as a 300 year old stone floor should look, really really pleased, price was also reasonable and knowing Kevin used the best products too! We would highly recommend!!”

Sandstone Flagstone Floor After Restoration Ramsbottom

Before leaving I took time to discuss aftercare which for Sandstone, I recommended the use of Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner which is pH neutral and ideal for cleaning sealed stone.

Professional Restoration of a Sandstone Flagstone Tiled Kitchen in South Lancashire

Sandstone Flagstone Floor Milled and Restored in Ramsbottom Read More »

Stained Victorian Tiles Before After Renovation Ramsbottom

Restoring Badly Stained Victorian Floor Tiles in Ramsbottom

1 Comment / Ramsbottom Tile Cleaning, Victorian Tile Cleaning, Work History / Kevin Parry

A customer from Ramsbottom contacted us to see if we were able to help with the renovation of a small section of Victorian tiling in their hallway. Another company had already tried to treat them chemically but without making any progress in removing the stains.

Stained Victorian Tiles Before Cleaning Ramsbottom

I visited the property to survey the problem tiles and recommend a way forward. In most cases we like to carry out a site visit to get an accurate idea of the problems before quoting for the work. Whilst there I ran a test clean on part of the tiles and slowly but surely, they responded to the treatment and they condition visibly improved. Impressed with the initial results I was asked to continue, fortunately my schedule was light that day, so I was able to work though without too much impact to my schedule.

Cleaning/Repairing a Victorian Tiled Hallway Floor

My initial thought for cleaning was to try using Tile Doctor Remove and Go which is a cleaner and stripper which is safe to use on tiles and stone. The previous company had used a chemical product, but it wasn’t clear what they had used. Tile Doctor Remove and Go usually works well in these situations but it was clear my result would not have been enough of an improvement so a different solution would be needed.

Stained Victorian Tiles During Cleaning Ramsbottom

To resolve this, I tried hand-held abrasive diamond blocks, first 400-grit without improvement, then 200-grit without improvement, 100-grit no improvement and then eventually 50-grit and I started to see a result. It was clear only a very abrasive 50-grit pad would improve these tiles. It was a small area, so I set about using a combination of small coarse 50-grit pads and followed up with 100, 200 and 400-grit pads and blocks to remove scratches and renovate the tiles following the use of the very abrasive grits. The tiles were also rinsed repeatedly during this process to remove the slurry generated. The waste was extracted using the wet vacuum. It took forever to get the tiles clean, but the results were brilliant.

Sealing a Victorian Tiled Hallway Floor

Once I was happy all the Victorian tiles were as clean as they could I gently speed dried them using a heat gun. The last step in restoring the tiles would be to apply a sealer and so it was important the tiles were dry first. Once I was happy the tiles were dry, they were sealed them with a couple of coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow. This is an impregnating sealer that protects from within by occupying the pores in the tile where dirt can become ingrained. The sealer gave the tiles a nice sheen without being too shiny, this product also allows the floor to breath, which is vital on a floor of this age where no damp proof membrane will have been installed. Whilst I was there I also did some work re-grouting the adjacent York Stone floor which was of a similar age and needed some TLC.

Stained Victorian Tiles After Cleaning Ramsbottom

The pictures really speak for themselves. The customer was beginning to think it couldn’t be done so I was glad to be able to get them in such a nice state, especially considering the previous company could not lift their appearance.

The customer was very happy and left the following feedback.

“Kamila was a very professional and friendly person who has done an amazing job on my floor! Both cleaning and grouting! They look amazing!! I still have no idea how she managed it with little mess leaving the rooms clean and tidy! Thank you Kamila! I have already recommended her to friends!!”

Professional Restoration of Stained Victorian Tiles in South Lancashire

Restoring Badly Stained Victorian Floor Tiles in Ramsbottom Read More »

Old Flagstone Tiled Kitchen Floor Refurbished in Haslingden Rossendale

1 Comment / Flagstone Tile Cleaning, Ramsbottom Tile Cleaning, Work History / Kevin Parry

This client had contacted us for help renovating their Flagstone hallway floor as nothing they did was helping to keep them clean. The problem with the tiles was due to the pores of the flagstone being ingrained with dirt and once this happens they are really difficult to clean effectively. This is why we always recommend stones floors are sealed after cleaning.

After a successful survey that included measuring background moisture levels and testing different products for stain removal I was able to work out the best process for cleaning the floor and a day to clean and seal the tiles was scheduled.

Flagstone Hallway Floor Before Cleaning Haslingden

Deep Cleaning Flagstone Hallway Tiles

I’d established during my earlier testing that I would need a very strong cleaning product to get the floor clean and deal with the stubborn staining that was present and with that in mind I applied Tile Doctor NanoTech HBU. HBU stands for Heavy Build-Up and is a problem solving tile cleaner and stain remover that adds nano-sized abrasive particles to the mix. This was left to dwell on the floor for a few hours and additionally was covered with a plastic sheet to prevent it from drying out. I then gave the floor a scrub using a black scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary floor machine and a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean for good measure.

Once happy with the result the soiled cleaning solution was extracted using a wet vacuum and the floor given a thorough rinse with water to remove any trace of cleaning products. Again the wet vacuum was used to remove the fluids and extract as much moisture from the stone as possible. The floor was then left to dry out fully overnight assisted with a floor dryer to help accelerate the process.

Flagstone Hallway Floor After Cleaning Drying Out Haslingden

Sealing a Flagstone Tiled Kitchen Floor

We came back the next day and tested the floor with a damp meter in a few different locations to make sure no dampness remained in the stone. The air mover had done its job and the Flagstones were dry so we proceeded to seal the floor with a couple of coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which penetrates into the pores of the stone protecting it from within and enhancing the natural colours of the stone.

Flagstone Hallway Floor After Cleaning and Sealing Haslingden

It’s difficult to appreciate from the photographs but the customer was amazed at how much of a difference our process had made and at how much dirt we were able to remove. The flagstones were probably more then 100 years old and more aggressive machinery and cleaning products were the only things that would shift the old dirt. The fresh sealer will also ensure the floor is much easier to clean in future.

Old Flagstone Hallway Floor Cleaned and Sealed in Rossendale

Old Flagstone Tiled Kitchen Floor Refurbished in Haslingden Rossendale Read More »

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South Lancashire Tile Doctor

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