South Lancashire Archives - South Lancashire Tile Doctor

Flagstone Kitchen Floor Restoration Syke Rochdale

Flaking Flagstone Floor Kitchen Restored to New in Syke Rochdale

A homeowner from the Syke area of Rochdale contacted us with some pictures of their Flagstone kitchen floor. Unhappy with the appearance of the flagstone and having seen some of the work we had done previously he was keen to see if they could be restored, especially as many of the flags had flaked over the years on their upper surface.

Flagstone Kitchen Floor Before Restoration Syke Rochdale

Another factor was that he was planning to have a new kitchen installed and quite sensibly felt it would be best to deal with the floor first. He wanted to retain the flooring as it was in keeping with his home which was a very old and lovely terraced cottage.

Flagstone Kitchen Floor Before Restoration Syke Rochdale

Keen to explore the options I was asked to come over, survey the floor and come up with quotes for sprucing up the flags and making them a little easier to live with. After discussing the condition, requirements and budget we agreed to survey the floor with a view to milling the surface, cleaning, repointing and sealing the floor.

Following the survey, we booked in dates to mill approx. 25m2 of flagstone flooring in the kitchen using coarse grit diamond milling pads. The date was timed to fit in with the old kitchen being removed and before the new kitchen was to be installed.

Restorative Cleaning of Flagstones

The process to get the floor clean started with running a 50-Grit flexi milling pad over each flagstone several times using only water for lubrication. This very coarse pad cuts into the surface of the flagstone removing a thin layer of stone and revealing fresh untainted stone underneath, this also removes any flaking. After this the floor was rinsed with more water and the soiling extracted with a wet vacuum.

The floor was then deep cleaned using a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go scrubbed in with a silicon carbide brush which works well on rough floors as the brush gets into all the crevices and grout lines. Once the whole floor had been treated in this way the solution was rinsed off with water and extracted again using the wet vacuum.

This milling process was then continued using a variety of gritted pads. Gradually the finer pads slowly improved the surface of the stone.

Next the remaining old, loose mortar was removed, this was a slow process as you have to be careful not to chip the adjacent stone, however it was helped by the fact that a lot of the grouting was cracked anyway.

A lot of water was used cleaning the floor so to counter any latent efflorescence the floor was given an acid rinse using Tile Doctor Grout Clean-up worked in with 200-grit soft burnishing pad. This was then rinsed off the floor and extracted with the wet vacuum.

To further improve the condition of the flagstone the floor was then burnished using a 400-grit burnishing pad lubricated with water. After another rinse and extraction, work started on repointing the floor using a modern permeable epoxy joint mortar.

Sealing a Flagstone Tiled Kitchen

Once the floor was dry, protection was added using Tile Doctor X-Tra Seal which is an oil-based fully breathable sealer that enhances the appearance of the flagstone. Using a breathable sealer is important on old floors of this type as they don’t have a damp proof membrane that will prevent moisture rising through the foundation. Excess sealer was then removed from the floor using a white buffing pad which also further brought up the appearance of the stone.

Flagstone Kitchen Floor After Restoration Syke Rochdale

The new sealer will prevent dirt from becoming ingrained in the pores of the stone, keeping it on the surface where it can be easily cleaned away. Once complete the floor was looked transformed by the process and my client was over the moon with the difference and left the following feedback:

“I’m amazed at the transformation to my flagged kitchen floor (I thought it was a lost cause). Kevin gave me top drawer service, explaining what he was doing and what I needed to do going forward. ”

Flagstone Kitchen Floor After Restoration Syke Rochdale

For aftercare cleaning I recommended the use of Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner which is a mild yet effective cleaner that won’t affect the new sealer.

Professional Restoration of a Flagstone Tiled Kitchen in South Lancashire

Flaking Flagstone Floor Kitchen Restored to New in Syke Rochdale Read More »

Limestone Floor Cleaning Polishing Sealing Ramsbottom

Ten-Year-Old Limestone Kitchen Floor Cleaned and Polished in Ramsbottom

1 Comment / Grout Cleaning, Limestone Tile Cleaning and Polishing, Ramsbottom Tile Cleaning / Kevin Parry

A homeowner from Ramsbottom who had used Tile Doctor before asked if we could quote for renovating their Limestone tiled floor. The floor was extensive and had been laid throughout their large Kitchen, Dining and Garden Room.

The limestone tiles had been down around ten years and were now dull and due some maintenance which was not unexpected as inevitably the sealer wears down with use and without its dirt becomes ingrained in the pores of the stone.

Limestone Kitchen Floor Before Cleaning Ramsbottom

I went over to measure up the floor and produce a quote for cleaning, polishing and then resealing the floor. The tiles were laid with a cream grout which had darkened in some areas with dirt and would also need cleaning. Whilst there, the owner confirmed they had been using Tile Doctor’s pH Neutral Tile Cleaner to maintain the floor which was good to see as it does help the sealer last longer. There were no other issues except a few stubborn stains that would need some extra attention.

Limestone Floor Before Cleaning Ramsbottom

Having surveyed the floor and noting it had become dull we quoted to restore the honed finish and seal using a clear sealer. This was accepted and dates agreed.

Cleaning a Limestone Tiled Kitchen

To restore the appearance of the limestone a weighted rotary buffing machine running at a slow 150 rpm was used to apply a set of Tile Doctor Diamond Burnishing Pads. The extra weight ensures good contact with the stone and is used to run each pad over the floor using only water for lubrication. The coarse pad removes dirt and old sealers whilst the finer pads restore the honed finish of the stone and build up a polish.

A wet vacuum is used after each pad to remove the soiling and then the grout lines were scrubbed using Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and a power brush.

Limestone Floor During Cleaning Ramsbottom

Sealing a Limestone Tiled Kitchen

Once fully dry, the last pad in the set which is a super fine 3500-grit was run over the floor to complete the honing. This last pad is applied dry with only a little water sprayed onto the tile to give the finished polished look.

Limestone Floor During Sealing Ramsbottom

Once complete, the next step was to protect the floor by applying a natural look breathable sealer called Tile Doctor Ultra Seal. The sealer works by occupying the pores in the stone thereby ensuring dirt remains on the surface where it can be easily cleaned away.

Limestone Kitchen Floor After Renovation Ramsbottom

I’m pleased to say my client was very happy with the result and left the following five-star feedback:

“Amazing, my limestone floor looks like it did when laid the process from start to finish was first class, Kevin explained everything then just got on with the job brilliant would definitely recommend him.”

Limestone Floor After Renovation Ramsbottom

Professional Restoration of a Limestone Tiled Kitchen in South Lancashire

Ten-Year-Old Limestone Kitchen Floor Cleaned and Polished in Ramsbottom Read More »

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

Renovating Multiple Travertine Tiled Floors in Bolton 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 »

Quarry Tiled Fireplace Before After Candle Wax Cleaning Rochdale

Cleaning Candle Wax Staining from Fireplace Quarry Tiles

1 Comment / Fireplace Cleaning, Quarry Tile Cleaning, Rochdale Tile Cleaning, Work History / Kevin Parry

A lady from Rochdale contacted us with what she had thought was irreparable damage to the Quarry tiles surrounding her brick fireplace. They used to have a lovely glossy finish but due to small accident with candle wax that happened whilst removing the candle the were now dull and patchy. The fireplace and tiles were 17 years old and as far as the customer was aware, they had never been sealed in the past.

Wax Damaged Quarry Tiled Fireplace Surround Before Cleaning Rochdale

Unsure of how to resolve the problem they decided to give Tile Doctor a call. As it turns out they had also called their insurance company and were considering replacing the whole fireplace if no one could help resolve it! But the brick fireplace suited the design of the house which also had lovely wooden beams in the same room so that was not their first choice. They certainly did not want the disruption of replacing it.

Wax Damaged Quarry Tiled Fireplace Surround During Cleaning Rochdale

I went over to survey the tiles and carried out a small patch test, the test went well, and I was confident that the tiles could be restored to their former glory! Happy and relieved with the results the customer booked me in to complete the work.

Cleaning Candle Wax from a Quarry Tiled Fireplace

First, we ensured the area around the fireplace was covered and taped up, to ensure no spills onto the nearby carpet and surrounding area. To clean the quarry tiles and remove the candle wax I applied undiluted Tile Doctor Remove and Go which was left to dwell for fifteen minutes before being scrubbed in.

The space around the fireplace was tight so to scrub the product into the tile I used a small six-inch black scrubbing pad fitted to a hand buffer. The soil was extracted with our wet vacuum and then the tiles rinsed with water to ensure the mess was kept to a minimum.

Sealing a Quarry Tiled Fireplace

Normally I would wait for the tiles to dry naturally overnight before sealing, however given the small size of the area involved I was able to dry it using some gentle warmth from a heat gun. This meant I would be able to complete the job in the same day thus saving time and expense for the customer.

To seal the Quarry tiles, I applied a couple of coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go, which gives a nice durable low sheen that works well on Quarry tiles. Seal and Go is also water based so it doesn’t give off a smell as it dries.

My customer was very happy with the results which were astonishing! “It’s like having a whole new brick installation ” they explained after we finished! Further they left the following comment on the Tile Doctor feedback system.

“After trying to claim on my “accidental” house insurance with an extortionate policy excess, I contacted the Tile Doctor. My tiles were renovated to an excellent standard. The lady who renovated the tiles represented the company in a professional way and was very respectful of my home and the work carried out far exceeded my expectations. My fireplace tiles look brand new. I would definitely recommend this company. Donna B, Rochdale”

Wax Damaged Quarry Tiled Fireplace Surround After Cleaning Rochdale

Professional Restoration of a Quarry Tiled Fireplace in South Lancashire

Cleaning Candle Wax Staining from Fireplace Quarry Tiles Read More »

Sandstone Paved Floor Before and After Renovation Colne

Cleaning and sealing a Sandstone Kitchen Floor in Colne

1 Comment / Nelson Tile Cleaning, Sandstone Tile Cleaning, Work History / Kevin Parry

A customer from Colne near Burnley was absolutely frustrated with their newly installed Sandstone floor in the kitchen of their farmhouse. Ever since it was installed it had proved impossible to keep it clean. The customer contacted Tile Doctor in the hope that we could remove the ingrained dirt and make the floor much easier to maintain going forward.

Farmhouse Sandstone Floor Before Renovation Colne

I went over to inspect the floor and recommended a course of action. There was a section of stone which had a stain on it due to a pet accident, so we chose area to conduct a test clean. The flagstone responded well to the cleaning process which impressed the customer who booked us in for the job. There were happy to go ahead with my quote and quite relieved that she had finally found a solution.

Farmhouse Sandstone Floor Patch Test Zoom Colne

Cleaning a Sandstone Paved Kitchen Floor

Arriving on day one, first I taped up the plinths and skirtings to ensure they were not marked during the cleaning, especially as the kitchen was newly installed. Then, to deep clean the floor and remove the ineffectual coating applied by the installer I applied a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go and let it soak in for about ten minutes. The solution was then worked into the stone using a coarse 100-grit milling pad. This coarse pad was then followed up with the application of a finer 200-grit pad. Together these pads resurface and clean the stone and remove the coarse surface that was trapping dirt so easily.

Farmhouse Sandstone Floor During Cleaning Colne

The pads are applied with water which lubricates the abrasive action and results in a fine slurry that is rinsed off after each pad. The slurry is then extracted with a wet vacuum, keeping the mess to a minimum. The flagstone floor was then given a quick acid wash with Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up to clean the stone further and counter the alkaline cleaning product applied during the first stage of cleaning. After a further rinse with water and extraction with the wet vacuum the floor was left to dry off overnight.

Sealing a Sandstone Tiled Kitchen Floor

Returning the following day, the floor was first checked using a moisture meter to ensure it was dry. We then sealed with multiple coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go which added a nice subtle sheen to the stone and as well as protecting the stone from staining ensuring it is a lot easier to clean going forward.

Farmhouse Sandstone Floor After Renovation Colne

I recommended they should use the Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner, which is pH neutral so it will ensure that the sealant is not compromised during cleaning. This is a concentrated product so only a small amount is required, so a small bottle goes a long way.

The client was delighted with the floor and very relieved that it now looked exactly as it should.

Professional Restoration of Sandstone Paved Floor in South Lancashire

Cleaning and sealing a Sandstone Kitchen Floor in Colne Read More »

Polishing and Sealing Travertine Tiles in Blackburn

1 Comment / Blackburn Tile Cleaning, Grout Cleaning, Travertine Tile Cleaning, Work History / Kevin Parry

Close-up photo below of a Travertine tiled floor installed in a house in the former mill town of Blackburn where simply put the polished appearance had worn off and was now looking dull and unappealing.

Travertine Tiled Floor Before Polishing Blackburn

I popped round to the house to take a look and could see that the tiles would need to be burnished to restore the polished appearance. To demonstrate the difference this would make I polished one of the tiles using the Tile Doctor burnishing pad system which consists of the application of four 17 inch diamond encrusted pads applied in sequence from coarse to very fine with a rotary buffer. The customer was amazed at the difference and we agreed a date to come in and complete the whole floor in time for the Christmas holidays.

Stripping and Re-Polishing Travertine

On my return I repeated the burnishing process across the entire floor starting with the 400 Grit Coarse Red No.1 Burnishing Pad which strips off old sealers and dirt from the tile. You use a little water to help lubricate and once complete it’s necessary to rinse the area with water to remove the soil that is generated. The next step is to start building back the polish with the 800 and then 1500 grit pads which are applied in the same manner.

Travertine Tiled Floor During Polishing Blackburn

The floor was then rinsed again with water and I turned my attention to the grout which was scrubbed by hand using Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and a stiff brush. The floor was given another rinse and then inspected to ensure I hadn’t missed anything. Before leaving for the day I used the wet vacuum to extract as much moisture from the floor as possible.

At this point the customer commented that the floor looked amazing and that the floor never looked this good, even after it was first installed.

Sealing Travertine Floor Tiles

On the second days we used the 4th burnishing pad which is a 3000 grit pad to burnish and polish the surface until it came up looking gorgeous and glossy. With this pad you simply spray a little water on the floor during the polishing process, something we call a spray burnish.

The last step was to seal the tiles using a single coat of Tile Doctor Ultra-Seal which was applied and then buffed in with a white pad to remove any excess. Ultra-Seal is a premium, no-sheen, natural-look, penetrating sealer formulated to provide maximum stain protection.

Travertine Tiled Floor After Polishing Blackburn

The customer was really pleased with the difference we had made to the floor and before leaving we advised the customer of the best way to maintain the floor using neutral PH cleaners and to avoid strong cleaning products which can erode the life of the sealer prematurely.

Honed Travertine Tiled Floor Polished in South Lancashire

Polishing and Sealing Travertine Tiles in Blackburn Read More »