Remove and Go Archives - South Lancashire Tile Doctor

Victorian Encaustic Tiled Hallway Floor Renovation Uppermill

Deep Cleaning and Sealing a Victorian Tiled Floor in Uppermill

The photographs below are from a property in a Victorian terrace in Uppermill with an original tiled hallway floor. The client had been renewing the flooring in the house and discovered the tiles under the hallway carpet. Realising the tiles were original from when the terrace was built it was decided to see if they could be restored as an original feature.

Victorian Tiled Hallway Floor Before Restoration Victorian Uppermill

I popped over to survey the floor and was able to report that the carpet had kept the tiles in good physical condition albeit there were some holes from where the carpet gripper rod had been secured through the tile. I created a quote for repairing the damage and a low moisture clean and seal which was accepted, and a date agreed for the work to start.

Victorian Tiled Hallway Floor Before Restoration Victorian Uppermill

Old floors like this don’t have a damp proof membrane to prevent moisture rising from the foundation so they can suffer from damp and with it the appearance of efflorescent salts. Using a lot of water during intensive cleaning can make this worse so we opt to use gel cleaning products that reduce the use of water.

Cleaning a Victorian Tiled Hallway

In this case work started by applying Tile Doctor Oxy-Gel to the floor, leaving it to dwell and then scrubbing it in with a rotary floor machine. This was then quickly rinsed off and extracted with a wet vacuum.

During the cleaning I realised some of the carpet must have been secured with glue and to deal with this I spot cleaned along the edges and glue staining with handheld burnishing blocks and Tile Doctor Remove and Go which is a stripper that’s safe to use on tile and stone. The floor was inspected again and stubborn areas re-treated using this process.

Last step in the cleaning process was to give the tiles an acid rinse using Tile Doctor Acid-Gel which is another gel cleaning product. This was pasted on as before, left to soak in and then scrubbed in using the rotary fitted with a black pad. The acidic nature of this product has several advantages; it cleans the tile of grout smears and neutralises alkaline salts lurking in the floor that could lead to efflorescence appearing later. The floor was rinsed and extracted again and then left of several days to dry out.

Victorian Tiled Hallway Floor During Cleaning Victorian Uppermill

Before leaving for the day, I spent some time going around the floor and filling the gripper holes with a specialist colour matched filler.

Sealing a Victorian Tiled Hallway

When I returned some days later, I checked the floor for damp using a moisture meter. The readings were good, so we started with the sealing. For this I applied a couple of coats of Tile Doctor X-Tra seal which is a modern fully breathable oil-based sealer that adds texture to encaustic tiles, improves colour and generally lifts their appearance. I tend to mix in a little Tile Doctor Colour Grow into the X-Tra seal before application as this makes it more manageable.

Once done the floor was buffed with a white pad to remove excess sealer and bring up the appearance of the tiles further. X-Tra Seal is a hard-wearing impregnator that works by occupying the pores in the tile thereby preventing dirt from becoming ingrained there, keeping it on the surface where it can be easily cleaned away.

Victorian Tiled Hallway Floor After Restoration Victorian Uppermill

My client was very pleased with the result and left the following feedback:

“Kevin was a very friendly and helpful person. He made my hall tiles come up almost like new. Where I used to be ashamed of my hallway, I now want to show everyone them. They look amazing now, thanks to Kevin. I will not hesitate to recommend to my friends and family. Thanks, you so much Kevin.”For aftercare cleaning I recommended the use of Tile Doctor’s Neutral Tile Cleaner which is a mild yet effective product that won’t impact the sealer.

Victorian Tiled Hallway Floor After Restoration Victorian Uppermill

Professional Restoration of a Victorian Tiled Hallway in South Lancashire

Deep Cleaning and Sealing a Victorian Tiled Floor in Uppermill Read More »

Flagstone Floor Restoration Standish Wigan

Flagstone Flooring Restoration at 300-Year-Old Cottage in Standish

A client from Standish near Wigan contacted Tile Doctor about the Flagstone flooring in the dining room and kitchen of their 320-year-old cottage. The floor was approximately 50m2 and after sending over several pictures of the floor via email we had a call to discuss the issues in detail. The floor clearly needed a deep clean and there were gaps in the pointing that needed to be filled and then the whole floor sealed. The flags were the original flooring from when the house was built in the late 1600’s, he wasn’t sure if they were sandstone, or something else.

Flagstone Kitchen Floor Before Milling Standish Wigan

Having seen examples of similar floors on our website he was keen to understand more about our milling service which is an aggressive cleaning option we offer. The system utilises coarse abrasive pads to remove a thin layer of stone from the surface taking out flaking in the process and resulting in an unblemished fresh surface. I sent over a few photos of more recent work I had completed on flagstones showing the results of the process and he felt it was exactly the finish they were looking for.

Unfortunately, a burst pipe in the kitchen added to the issue requiring some flags to be lifted and re-laid recently, some repairs were also needed to the kitchen units, but he wanted to deal with floor first. He wanted to retain the original flooring as it was in keeping with his home so replacing it was not an option. Keen to help I agreed to pop round and take a more detailed look at the issues.

Flagstone Floor Before Milling Standish Wigan

After surveying the floor and discussing the condition, requirements and budget we quoted on milling the flagstones in the kitchen, lounge and hallway floor using flexi diamond milling pads. Happy with the quote, we set a date for the work to start.

Milling a 300-Year-Old Flagstone Floor in Standish

Milling started by working over the flagstone with a coarse milling pad fitted to a specialised weighted rotary floor buffer. Using only water for lubrication and with the machine operating at low speed the pad was run over each flagstone several times to cut the stone back.

Flagstone Floor During Milling Standish Wigan

Flagstone Floor During Cleaning Standish Wigan

The process is so effective we often find that the pads are all you need to clean the stone so use very few chemicals are required with this process. Having said that I did have to scrub some Tile Doctor Remove and Go onto some stubborn staining during the process but in general the pads did most of the heavy lifting.

Flagstone Floor During Restoration Standish Wigan

There are several pads used in the burnishing process, starting with coarse and then moving onto finer grits. It’s also worth mentioning that the water turns into a fine slurry that has to be rinsed with more water and then extracted with a wet vacuum after each pad.

Once the milling was complete the floor was given an acid rinse using Tile Doctor Grout Clean-up which was worked in with another pad to further clean the stone and counter any alkaline salts that can be an issue with old floors with no damp proof membrane.

Whilst the floor was drying attention moved to the mortar. For this the old and loose mortar was removed and then repointed using a modern permeable epoxy joint mortar.

Sealing a Flagstone Tiled Kitchen, Lounge and Hallway Floor

Once the floor was fully dry it was sealed with Tile Doctor X-Tra Seal which is an impregnator that soaks into the pores of the stone protecting it from withing. This product also allows for vapour transmission so it will allow for any moisture to rise through the stone and evaporate at the surface. It’s important to use a fully breathable sealer on old floors like this to avoid damp building up under the floor where it can pool and reach out to the walls.

Flagstone Floor After Restoration Standish Wigan

The floor was transformed by the process and now looks great, also the new sealer will ensure dirt remains on the surface where it can be easily removed with regular cleaning. I was very happy with the result and so was my client who left the following feedback:

“We recently had our 300+ year old sandstone tiled kitchen and dining room professionally cleaned and treated by Kevin, our local Tile Doctor, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. The floors, which had dulled over time, have been brought back to life with care and expertise, revealing the natural beauty and character of the original stone. Although there may be cheaper options out there, we genuinely believe the quality of the work justifies the cost — it was money well spent. The attention to detail, professionalism, and clear passion for the craft were evident throughout. We’re absolutely delighted with the outcome and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Kevin and Tile Doctor to anyone looking to restore their stone floors to their former glory”

Flagstone Floor After Restoration Standish Wigan

Before leaving, I took time to discuss aftercare which for this floor I recommended cleaning with Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner which is safe to use on sealed floors.

Professional Restoration of a Tired Flagstone Floor in South Lancashire

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Kerridge Sandstone Kitchen Floor Renovation Rawtenstall Rossendale

Smooth Kerridge Sandstone Tiled Kitchen Floor Renovated in Rawtenstall

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

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 »

Victorian Tiled Floor After Renovation Heywood

Carpet Covered Victorian Tiled Hallway Floor Renovated in Heywood

1 Comment / Heywood Tile Cleaning, Victorian Tile Cleaning / Kevin Parry

This client from Heywood reached out for some advice regarding their Victorian tiled floor that needed renovating. It was quite a large hallway and porch that needed attention and having tried cleaning it themselves they realised the tiles contained a lot of ingrained dirt that was proving stubborn to remove.

Victorian Tiled Floor Before Cleaning Heywood

They had uncovered the original Victorian floor under old carpet, and though there was some damage to the perimeter due to carpet fitting and plumbing updates etc it was broadly complete. There was also some work required in the porch due to settlement.

Victorian Tiled Floor Before Cleaning Heywood

The client had attempted to clean the floor themselves as much as they could but there was ground in dirt and staining from carpet glue and paint which meant it looked permanently unclean. In addition, it was ‘sticky’, and unpleasant to walk on due in part to unstable old sealers.

They needed a quote for someone to clean and seal the tiles properly and leave a serviceable floor that could be maintained easily. For now, repairs were to be left except for replacement of a missing piece and re-fixing a few loose tiles at the foot of the stairs.

Happy with the quote, we agreed a date for the work to start.

Cleaning and Repairing a Victorian Tiled Hallway

The first job was to re-secure the tiles by the stairs and adding the missing piece of tile that I mentioned earlier. This was followed by removing what was left of the sticky old sealer which was done using a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go and a 50-grit diamond pad. Coarse pads are ideal for removing the ingrained patterns that carpet can leave on a tile after being covered for many years. The floor was then inspected, and any stubborn areas re-done before extracting the soiling with a wet vacuum.

Victorian Tiled Floor During Cleaning Heywood

The next job was to clean the floor using a gel cleaner called Tile Doctor Oxy-Gel. Due to the age of the property and the fact there was a cellar below, I wanted to minimise the use of water, this would also help with drying times. The gel was spread onto the floor with a little water and then scrubbed into the tiles using a 100-grit diamond pad. Once the whole floor was cleaned in this manner the soiling was extracted as before with the wet vacuum.

The last step in the cleaning process was to treat the floor to an acid wash using Tile Doctor Acid-Gel. This is another specialist Tile Doctor gel-based product that has several benefits including the further cleaning of the tiles, neutralising the PH level of the floor and countering salts which are quite common with old floors.

Victorian Tiled Floor During Cleaning Heywood

The floor was now free of ingrained dirt and staining and after a final rinse and extraction with the wet vacuum the floor was left to dry off overnight.

Sealing a Victorian Tiled Hallway

I returned the next day to seal the tiles and started by taking moisture readings from the tiles using a damp meter. This confirmed the floor was dry and ready for sealing.

I was then able to move onto sealing the floor using Tile Doctor X-Tra seal which is a long-lasting oil-based impregnating sealer that improves colour in the tile and is fully breathable, an important consideration when sealing an old floor that was previously covered in carpet. This product is also rated for external as well as internal use so its ideal for hallways which can get wet.

Victorian Tiled Floor During Sealing Heywood

Once complete the floor looked new again, much to the delight of my clients who were very happy with the work and left the following comment on our feedback system:

”Kevin was fantastic – he was so helpful and knowledgeable and made our old, tired floor look brilliant. Would 100% recommend”

Victorian Tiled Floor After Renovation Heywood

Before leaving I took time to discuss aftercare for which I recommended they use Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner, being pH neutral its ideal for the regular cleaning of sealed tiles. Many of the tile cleaning products you find in supermarkets are very strong and will strip the sealer off a floor so always read the label.

Victorian Tiled Floor After Renovation Heywood

Professional Restoration of a Victorian Tiled Hallway in South Lancashire

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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

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Travertine Hallway Floor Polishing Bolton

Renovating Multiple Travertine Tiled Floors in Bolton

1 Comment / Bolton Tile Cleaning, Grout Cleaning, Travertine Tile Cleaning / Kevin Parry

This homeowner from Bolton contacted us due to problems they were having with their Travertine tiled floor which ran through most of the ground floor. They had previously had some work done by a ‘cleaner’, but the results were not great. Hoping to do better they also had a go themselves without much improvement.

Travertine Hallway Floor Before Cleaning Bolton

They were ready to give up on the floor but due to the huge cost of replacement decided to look at alternatives. Researching the subject on-line they came across the reviews and transformative pictures on our website and decided to get in touch.

Travertine WC Floor Before Cleaning Bolton

I paid a visit to the property to survey the floor and could see the Travertine had clearly had a lot of unknown treatments in the past. Having assessed the floor I came up with a comprehensive plan that would restore the appearance of the travertine and grout. Happy with my quote we agreed a date for the work to start.

Travertine Hallway Floor Before Cleaning Bolton

Deep Cleaning Travertine Tiles

The first step was to apply a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go and left it to soak for ten minutes before working it in to the stone using a 240-grit carbide brush. Once done the floor was rinsed with water and the soiling extracted using a wet vacuum. I had to repeat this process on stubborn areas but gradually the floor was stripped of old sealers and marks leaving it clean.

Travertine Hallway Floor Before Cleaning Setting up Bolton

To deal with the grout I applied Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and left it to dwell for fifteen minutes to give it time to breakdown the soils. It was then scrubbed into the grout lines by hand using a stiff brush. The floor was then rinsed again, and the waste removed.

With the floor clean of dirt, it became apparent some of the dirt had masked cracks and holes in the stone. So, although this was not listed on the quote, I spent time filling them in to enhance the overall finish.

Work then moved onto burnishing the Travertine to restore its polished appearance. This starts with the application of a coarse 400-grit pad. Using water to lubricate the pad as its run over each tile several times to give the stone a very deep clean. The floor was then rinsed and extracted, before moving onto the finer 800-grit and 1500-grit pads which start building the polish on the stone.

The floor was left to dry off overnight and the next the burnishing process continued using a very fine 3000-grit pad which is applied dry to the floor using only a little water sprayed onto the tile. This leaves a lovely, honed finish on the stone.

Travertine Hallway Floor During Dry Burnishing Bolton

Travertine WC Floor After Cleaning Bolton

Sealing a Travertine Tiled Kitchen, Utility, WC and Hallway

To seal the stone a coat of Tile Doctor Ultra Seal was applied to retain the light colour the client liked and cloth off before applying a White Pad to remove any excess sealer and further bring up the polished appearance of the Travertine. Ultra-Seal is an impregnator that soaks into the pores of the stone adding protection from within, it’s also a natural look sealer that is almost invisible and doesn’t darken the colour of the stone.

Travertine Hallway Floor After Sealing Bolton

The process transformed the appearance of the floor and my client was delighted. So much so they left the following glowing review:

“Kevin contacted me and quoted for the job after I had sent him pictures of my Travertine Floor which needed deep cleaning and sealing. I confirmed I was happy with the quotation, and he sent me a list of products to purchase from the Tile Doctor which would be required to do the job. Kevin explained it could be a 2-3 day job dependant on how the floor reacted to the cleaning process. Kevin completed the work in 2 days and I am highly delighted with the result and I will be taking Kevins advice on keeping it clean with the products he left me. I would highly recommend Kevin and will be using him again in the coming years.”

Travertine Kitchen Floor After Renovation Bolton

For the aftercare cleaning of their polished stone floor, I recommended the use of Tile Doctor Stone Soap. It’s a gentle yet effective floor cleaning product with a formula that enhances the patina on the stone.

Professional Renovation of Travertine Floor Tiles in Greater Manchester

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Restoration of Victorian Hallway Tiles in Chorley

1 Comment / Chorley Tile Cleaning, Victorian Tile Cleaning / Kevin Parry

Joanna contacted us with regard her late Victorian (1893) L shaped tiled hallway at their large family home in Chorley.

They had discovered the floor under carpet during renovation work some years ago and had some work done to replace damaged and missing tiles. However, the floor had not had a deep clean an and therefore much of the floor had ingrained dirt so never looked clean. Having lived with this the problem which had only got worse over time we were asked to finish the renovation.

I went over to property to survey the floor and work out a plan to restore it. Whilst there I realised the property had a cellar and was concerned that water from the vigorous cleaning process may seep downstairs resulting in staining to the ceiling. To avoid this, I realised I would need to complete the cleaning using low moisture gel-based products. Whilst there I also took several moisture readings with a damp meter which indicated that it would be best to use a fully breathable non acrylic sealer to protect the floor.

Following the survey, I was able to work out a comprehensive plan for restoring the floor and provide the owner with an accurate quote for the work which was accepted.

Deep Cleaning a Victorian Tiled Hallway

Working in sections work commenced with a layer of Tile Doctor Oxy-Gel which was left to dwell before working it in with a low-speed weighted buffer fitted with a coarse 100-grit milling pad. The slurry generated was then vacuumed away before giving the floor a light rinse, working in small sections, and quickly vacuuming away the waste.

To further clean the tiles a thin layer of Tile Doctor Remove and Go was then applied and after five minutes scrubbed in using a 200-grit coarse milling pad, vacuuming the waste away afterwards.

With the floor showing great improvement we set about tidying up the edges using a set of diamond hand burnishing blocks. A scraper and a hand brush were used to remove paint splashes, carpet adhesive and dirt already loosened by the main clean. This was followed with the application of a 400-grit burnishing pad, again working in small areas to minimise water getting into the floor

Last step of the restorative cleaning process was to treat the tiles to an acid rinse using Tile Doctor Acid Gel. This was allowed to dwell for around five to ten minutes before being worked in with a Black scrubbing pad. The acidic nature of the product neutralises the alkaline cleaners used earlier and dissolves alkaline salts built up in the tiles which is a common problem on these older floors. The soiled solution was extracted as before and rinsed thoroughly with cloths and water to minimise moisture levels, vacuuming away the waste as I went.

The floor was allowed to dry thoroughly, and a damp meter reading confirmed the moisture levels back to where they started. A quick dry burnish using an 800-grit burnishing pad with dust vacuumed away was the final preparation before sealing could commence.

Sealing a Victorian Tiled Hallway

After testing sealers, the preference was to revive the colours in the tile and give the floor a subtle sheen. Based on this I applied Tile Doctor X-Tra Seal which was ideal for as first coat revived the colours in the tile and the second coat added a very subtle sheen finish.

After allowing the floor to partially dry, a light burnish with a soft white pad was the final part of the process.

Joanna stated she was very pleased with the results, and we discussed aftercare using Tile Doctor’s pH Neutral cleaner to prolong the life of the sealer. She also later gave a 5 Star review along with the following comment:

“Kevin was excellent. He responded promptly to my enquiry and answered all my questions. Delighted with my lovely clean floor!”

Victorian Floor After Renovation Chorley

Professional Renovation of a Victorian Tiled Hallway in Lancashire

Restoration of Victorian Hallway Tiles in Chorley Read More »

Victorian Hallway Floor Restoration Wigan

Restoration of Victorian Tiled Hallway in Wigan

1 Comment / Victorian Tile Cleaning, Wigan Tile Cleaning / Kevin Parry

Lyndsey and Mick from Wigan contacted Tile Doctor earlier this year after uncovering a beautiful Victorian tiled floor in their hallway. Keen to have it restored as an original feature they requested a quote to get a restorative deep clean, some minor essential repairs and sealing.

Victorian Hallway Before Restoration Wigan

I went over to the property to survey the floor and provide a quote for its restoration. I could see that the previous owners had glued carpet and underlay directly onto the tiles and though the new owners had managed to get a lot of that off there were some stubborn areas remaining. On top of that the tiles were very grubby and in need of a good deep clean. Finally, some loose tiles needed fixing, and they wanted the worst of the broken tiles sorted whilst retaining as much original floor and character as possible.

After discussing expectations, it was agreed to accept the history and disturb the original screed and fixed tiles as little as possible simply re-fixing where needed, replacing the missing and shattered ones, then cleaning and sealing to give an attractive, serviceable and useable floor in keeping with the age of property.

The quotation was to carry out a deep restorative clean of the hallway tiles to remove heavy soil and strip old sealers using both low moisture gels and a weighted low speed mechanical buffing machine fitted with suitable pads. All soiled gel being removed with a wet vacuum system. The edging was to be hand finished as necessary and the floor is then to be neutralised to prepare for sealing. The hall had a small number of broken/loose tiles that are to be reset or replaced (precise details to be provided by client). Once fully dry the floor would be protected with a breathable sealer to protect and enhance the floors colours.

Happy with the detailed quote and much encouraged that their hallway floor was going to be restored the quote was accepted and a date set for the work to begin.

Cleaning and Repairing a Victorian Tiled Hallway

Having unloaded our equipment, we started the cleaning process with the application of a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go. This product is a coatings remover which will breakdown the glue and other contaminants. It was left to soak into the tiles for ten minutes before carefully scraping the worst of the glue off with hand scrapers.

Victorian Hallway Restoration Equipment Wigan

This work continued with a 100-grit soft milling pad fitted to a weighted buffing machine running at slow speed. A wet vacuum was used to remove the waste generated and then it was followed up with an application of Tile Doctor Oxy Gel. This product was allowed to dwell for a little longer before buffing with a 200-grit soft milling pad and extracting as before.

Victorian Hallway During Restoration Wigan

The pads can struggle to reach into the perimeters so the edges and corners were cleaned by hand with diamond blocks as needed. Again, vacuuming away the waste afterwards.

Next, the floor was treated to an acid rinse using Tile Doctor Acid Gel to further clean the tiles and neutralise the floor after the use of alkaline cleaning products. As before it was left to soak in for a short time before being scrubbed in with a black pad. The floor was then rinsed with water, working in small areas and quickly vacuuming away the waste to minimise the moisture.

Victorian Hallway After Cleaning During Drying Wigan

Next, the floor was dried before carrying out a small number of tile resets and some repairs to the doorway. The floor was then left to dry off overnight.

Sealing a Victorian Tiled Hallway

The following morning, I wanted to make sure the tiles were dry enough to take a sealer so several moisture readings were taken with a damp meter to confirm. The readings were fine so we were good to go.

The Victorian tiles were then sealed with Tile Doctor X-Tra Seal with the sealer applied in sections working through the hallway until complete. X-Tra seal is an oil-based impregnator that improves colour and works well on Victorian tiles, its also rated for external use so ideal for hallways.

Victorian Hallway After Sealing During Drying Wigan

Once touch dry a second coat was applied to give the floor a nice sheen. The final step was to gently buff the floor using a white pad to remove excess sealer and bring up the appearance. A couple of hours later we inspected the floor before leaving a very happy customer.

Lyndsey commented:

Great work, just finished sealing our floor, but it looks fantastic already. Kevin has been very informative along the way as well and I would recommend him, and this company, to anyone else who is thinking of having similar work.

For aftercare of sealed Victorian tiles, I recommend Neutral Tile Cleaner, it’s a gentle yet effective tile cleaner that’s safe to use on sealed tiles.

Professional Restoration of a Victorian Tiled Hallway in Lancashire

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1850’s Flaking Flagstone Flooring Renovated in Saddleworth

Flagstone Tile Cleaning, Oldham Tile Cleaning / abzdominise

A couple from Saddleworth contacted us about their flagstone flooring which was laid throughout the ground floor in their home which was built around 1850. Since buying their home they had decided to take up the carpets and floor coverings to most of the ground floor (approx. 60sqm) to allow the floor to breathe and help with some damp issues in the walls. In addition, it would be in keeping with the house to have its original floor back in use and make a great period feature.

Flagstone Floor Before Renovation Saddleworth

With the stone covered for such a long period the main issue was ingrained dirt and grime as well as the remnants of self-levelling compound and paint. The whole floor also had flaking issues on numerous stones and was very uneven in parts.

After some discussion over the phone around the options of cleaning, stone milling, repointing, and sealing I scheduled a survey. I recommended the floor needed the render removed, stone milled (and possibly repointing) before cleaning and finally sealing. An impregnating sealer which provided a matt, colour-enhancing finish was recommended in view of the damp and animals. In addition, we suggested the use of breathable pointing.

Flagstone Floor Before Renovation Saddleworth

Whilst the work was more involved than initially anticipated, they fully understood the scale of the problems and what was needed and so decided to go ahead.

Cleaning/Repairing a Victorian Tiled Hallway Floor

Work started with the application of 50-Grit Extra Coarse Milling pads which were fitted to a weighted rotary floor machine. The pads were run over each of the rough Yorkshire flagstones to remove the top of the flaking stone and reveal new stone underneath. The process was lubricated with water and Tile Doctor Remove and Go, the water helps keep the dust down and the Tile Doctor Remove and Go helps clean up the stone. We used quite a lot of these pads to clean up the whole floor. The resultant slurry was rinsed away with water and extracted with a wet vacuum.

Flagstone Floor During Renovation Saddleworth

Once done, the process was then repeated using 100-grit and then 200-grit milling pads to improve the surface of the stone. I must give credit to Russell Taylor from Lancashire Tile Doctor for his experience and assistance on this job, an extra pair of hands were needed given the scale of the work and to speed up work given the owners were still living in the property.

We next used an acid wash Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up, this is to counter any efflorescence salts that can be generated with floors like this that have no damp proof course. After application it was rinsed off and extracted with the wet vacuum.

After this the pointing was then redone using a modern flexible product.

Sealing a Flagstone Tiled Floor

The floor was then left to dry out for a few days before returning to seal the floor using Tile Doctor Colour Grow which is an impregnating sealer that contains a colour enhancer to bring out the natural colours in the stone. This product is also breathable which is an important consideration for old floors like this.

Flagstone Floor After Renovation Saddleworth

The project went well, and the floor was completely transformed. My clients were very happy with the work and left the following feedback for us.

“Kevin and Russell did a great job on our flagstone floor. They regularly checked in with us throughout the process and worked around us being in the house most of the time with no problems! Highly recommend.”

For aftercare cleaning I recommend they use Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner which is a mild yet effective tile cleaner that won’t harm the sealer.

Professional Restoration of a Flagstone Tiled Floor in Greater Manchester

1850’s Flaking Flagstone Flooring Renovated in Saddleworth Read More »