Pro-Clean Archives - Norfolk Tile Doctor

Travertine Hallway Floor Renovation Earlham

Grubby Unfilled Travertine Hallway Floor Renovated in Earlham

This client from the Norwich suburb of Earlham got in touch earlier this year for help with their Travertine hallway floor. The travertine was the unfilled variety and overtime the pits which are a natural feature of travertine became magnets for dirt which the owner had struggled to remove.

Travertine Hallway Floor Before Cleaning Earlham

I’ve included a photograph above where you can see just how heavily soiled the deep pits had become, resulting in very dark and un-attractive staining. Less evident from the photograph were several light scratches hiding under the dirt that the client also wanted addressing.

Sometimes I can quote for the renovation of a floor from photographs and measurements but in this case, I felt it best to do a detailed survey of the tiles to understand the full nature of the work that would be needed and the clients’ expectations.

I quoted for deep cleaning the travertine tiles and grout lines, burnishing the stone to remove surface scratches, filling the larger pits and then finally sealing the floor to give a low-sheen finish that they wanted. Happy with the comprehensive plan and confident I was able to produce the result they wanted, the quote was agreed and a date set.

Renovating a Pitted Travertine Tiled Floor

To get the floor clean I started by focusing on the grout lines which were sprayed with a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and left it to soak for ten minutes. Then using a long-handled grout brush the solution was vigorously scrubbed into the grout lines to release the dirt.

Next, attention turned to the Travertine tiles which were sprayed using the same Tile Doctor Pro-Clean solution. Again, I waited ten minutes before scrubbing in the solution but this time I used a heavy 40kg Klindex rotary machine fitted with an additional 20kg of weight and a coarse 60-grit carbide brush. All this weight ensures excellent traction with the floor and maximum contact with the pad to release all the dirt. The resultant slurry was then extracted with triple-vac Klindex wet vacuum. As you can see, I’m a fan of having the right equipment for the job as it saves time and guarantee’s the best outcome.

The floor was then inspected; any stubborn areas were treated with more Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and hand scrubbing until I was confident the Travertine tile and grout was as clean as it could be.

To further improve the floor and remove light scratches I went over each tile with a 400-grit burnishing pad worked in with honing powder and lubricated with water to produce a low-sheen finish. Once done the larger pits were filled with BAL Jasmine flexible fine-joint grout which was a good colour match to the beige travertine tiles.

Sealing Travertine Floor Tiles

The floor was allowed to dry overnight, and I returned the next day to seal with two coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which has a colour enhancing formula that helps to bring out the brown tones in the Travertine. It is also a hard-wearing impregnator that works by filling the pores in the stone to ensure dirt remains on the surface where it can be easily cleaned away with a pH neutral tile cleaner like Tile Doctor Stone Soap.

Travertine Hallway Floor After Deep Cleaning and Sealing Earlham

The floor looked so much cleaner and lighter once complete, and the now filled pits will prevent the accumulation of dirt. My client was impressed and delighted with their better-than-new pristine travertine floor which will prove much easier to maintain going forward.

On the topic of maintenance cleaning, I recommended the use of another Tile Doctor product called Neutral Tile Cleaner which is a neutral Ph cleaner that’s safe to use on sealed floors.

Professional Restoration of a Travertine Tiled Hallway in Norwich

Grubby Unfilled Travertine Hallway Floor Renovated in Earlham Read More »

Limestone and Slate Floor Renovation in Docking

Grubby and Scratched Portland Limestone Conservatory Floor Renovated in Docking

1 Comment / Grout Cleaning, King’s Lynn Tile Cleaning, Limestone Tile Cleaning and Polishing, Slate Tile Cleaning / Nick White

The pictures below are of a White Portland Limestone floor with Grey Slate inserts taken at a large Manor House in the village of Docking. This is a beautiful location in the heart of the North-West Norfolk countryside near Kings Lynn.

The floor was situated in the large wood-framed conservatory that ran along the full width of the property and had seen a lot of wear and contamination. The stone floor was heavily soiled with deep scratches from metal table and chairs. It had never been properly sealed when originally laid and the owner was at the point of lifting and replacing the floor as so far no one had been able to offer a solution to significantly improve it.

Limestone and Slate Floor Before Cleaning in Docking

The challenge was to remove all the soiling, significantly improve the areas of deep scratching and provide an even matt finish to minimise the sunlight reflection in the room and seal against oil and fluid spills. Undeterred by the scale of the project I worked out a quote for the renovation which was accept and a date set for the work to start.

Deep Cleaning a Limestone and Slate Tiled Conservatory

Cleaning started initially with the application of a strong 3:1 dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean which was sprayed onto the floor and left for ten minutes to soak in and giving it time to break down the soils.

The floor was then scrubbed in with a 17″ Klindex rotary fitted with a coarse silicon carbide brush to release all the ingrained soils in the stone. The brush is a good choice for cleaning tiled floors as it gets into the grout lines.

Limestone and Slate Floor During Cleaning in Docking

The resulting slurry was then rinsed with water and extracted with a 3-stage industrial wet vacuum to reveal a clean tiled floor.

Removing Scratches from White Portland Limestone Flooring

To remove the scratches the stone was then milled with the Klindex machine fitted with a coarse 200-grit diamond pad and an additional 20kg weight to improve the traction. You have to be careful with these pads as they cut into the stone and can create “dished” areas across the floor surface if you overwork the patches.

Limestone and Slate Floor During Milling in Docking

Once done the floor was rinsed and extracted as before, and the process repeated using a 400-grit diamond burnishing pad to refine the appearance of the stone. After a final rinse and extraction then floor was left to dry off overnight.

Sealing a Limestone and Slate Tiled Conservatory

The next day the floor was checked for moisture to ensure it was dry enough for sealing, this is an important check as applying sealer to damp stone can result in a patchy appearance.

Once I had confirmed it was dry Tile Doctor Ultra Seal was liberally applied to the whole floor with a lambswool applicator. A use a floor fan to assist with drying and after thirty minutes the excess sealer was removed with a white paper towel. After a further thirty-minute drying time the floor was spray buffed with a White pad to bring up its appearance.

Ultra-Seal is an impregnating sealer that works by soaking into the stone, occupying the pores and thereby preventing dirt from residing there. This ensures that dirt remains on the surface where it can be easily cleaned away.

Limestone and Slate Floor After Renovation in Docking

To confirm the effectiveness of the new sealer I conducted a fluid resistance test on various parts of the floors. This is a simple test using a drop of water which if the tile is sealed properly will cause the water to form a bubble.

The client was very impressed with the result and greatly relieved that he didn’t have to go to the potentially much greater expense of replacing the floor. Before leaving I took time to discuss maintenance cleaning and the importance of using a cleaning product that won’t damage the sealer. In this case I recommended the use of Tile Doctor Neutral Stone Soap which is a gentle but effective cleaner that helps build a patina on the stone.

Professional Renovation of a Limestone and Slate Tiled Conservatory Floor in Norfolk

Grubby and Scratched Portland Limestone Conservatory Floor Renovated in Docking Read More »

Terracotta Tiled Conservatory Floor Renovation Ashmanhaugh Wroxham

Modern Terracotta Tiled Floor Cleaned and Sealed in Ashmanhaugh

1 Comment / Grout Cleaning, Terracotta Tile Cleaning, Wroxham Tile Cleaning / Nick White

Earlier this year I received a message from a homeowner in the small village of Ashmanhaugh near Wroxham about their Terracotta tiled floor. The floor had been installed twelve years prior in a large conservatory sunroom extension and was now in need of a clean and seal.

I went over to survey the floor and could see the Terracotta tiles were modern 30cm tiles. They had been sealed with a topical acrylic sealer after installation, but the finish was now very dull, patchy and worn. It was clear to me that the sealer had worn off on most parts of the floor leaving it porous and exceptionally difficult to mop.

Terracotta Tiled Floor Before Cleaning Ashmanhaugh

The grout lines were particularly discoloured mainly due to the use of various wet-look cleaning products used over the years. This type of maintenance product often just serves to glue dirty water into the grout.

I worked out a quote to deep clean the Terracotta tile and Grout and then apply a new sealer that would give the desired finish. My client was happy with the quote and being frustrated with the floor was keen to have it restored to its former self as soon as possible.

Cleaning a Terracotta Tiled Conservatory Sunroom Floor

I returned to the property on the scheduled date and started by cleaning the grout with a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove & Go. This was sprayed along the grout line and left to soak in for ten minutes. The product was then scrubbed in with a narrow wire-bristle brush to get the grout as clean as possible.

Terracotta Tiled Floor During Cleaning Ashmanhaugh

The whole floor was then cleaned using a Klindex Rocky rotary machine fitted with a Nylon brush attachment to work in a strong 3 to 1 dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean. This process lifts the dirt and contaminants out of the tile turning the solution black. The floor was then rinsed with more water and the resultant slurry vacuumed away with a high-power industrial wet vacuum.

Next step was to give the floor an Acid Wash using a 10:1 dilution of Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up. Doing this has several benefits which include further cleaning the floor including removing grout haze, neutralising the PH level of the floor after the use of alkaline cleaning products and lastly it improves adhesion with the new sealer. This was brushed into the floor, rinsed off with water and then extracted with the wet vacuum.

Terracotta Tiled Floor During Acid Washing Ashmanhaugh

The floor was then dried thoroughly with the wet vacuum before being left to dry off overnight, this is particularly important as Terracotta being made of clay is very porous and tends to hold the moisture. The floor needs to be dry before sealing as it can cloud the sealer and result in a patchy finish.

Sealing a Terracotta Tiled Conservatory Sunroom Floor

Work the next day started by confirming the Terracotta was dry and ready to take a sealer. I use a damp meter for this and was able to confirm the moisture readings were acceptable.

Tile Doctor has many different sealers available and in this case Seal & Go was chosen based on the flooring material and desired finish. Seal and Go is a modern sealer containing acrylic polymers and provides a hard-wearing low sheen satin finish that will subtly enhances the natural colour in the Terracotta without the floor being too glossy. Five coats were applied with a 300-gsm split-filament microfibre cloth, each coat was allowed to dry before applying the next.

Terracotta Tiled Floor During Sealing Ashmanhaugh

My client was delighted with the mid-sheen finish and please that the floor would be so much easier to keep clean going forward. On the subject of cleaning, I also recommended our Neutral Tile Cleaner which will keep the floor looking in great condition and will ensure the longevity of the newly applied sealer. It is a pH neutral cleaner so is mild enough to use daily if required.

Terracotta Tiled Floor After Cleaning Sealing Ashmanhaugh

Professional Restoration of a Terracotta Tiled Conservatory Sunroom in Norfolk

Modern Terracotta Tiled Floor Cleaned and Sealed in Ashmanhaugh Read More »

Terracotta Tiled Floor Renovation Ostrich Inn South Creake Fakenham

Terracotta Pamment Floor Deep Cleaned and Sealed at South Creake Fakenham

1 Comment / Fakenham Tile Cleaning, Terracotta Tile Cleaning / Nick White

This Norfolk Pamment tiled floor at the Ostrich Inn, South Creake near Fakenham is a good example of a floor badly contaminated as the result of extensive renovation works. Terracotta pamment clay is a very porous material and will easily absorb fluids and dirt if left unsealed and therefore unprotected.

Terracotta Tiled Floor Before Cleaning Ostrich Inn South Creake Fakenham

The solution is a topical or surface-finish sealer that will prevent dirt from becoming ingrained in the pores of the tile. The sealer does wear off over time however and once that happens, the tiles become very difficult to keep clean. The same thing happens with the sand and cement pointing lines so it’s very important to maintain the sealer on both the tile and pointing especially in a kitchen environment where spills and therefore staining is more likely to occur.

I visited the property to survey the pamment floor and I could see the whole area, including the pointing, needed a complete strip and deep-clean followed by the application of a fresh combination sealer/acrylic finish. Due to its size and the logistics of furniture moving I could see the work would need to be done in two halves. I explained the process and conducted a small demonstration so they could see the results. Happy to proceed with my renovation plan we scheduled a date for the work to be done a few weeks later.

Stripping & Deep Cleaning a Terracotta Pamment Floor Near Fakenham

Cleaning started by spraying the Pamments with a strong 3:1 dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean mixed with a little Tile Doctor HBU Remover to increase its cleaning power. After spraying the mixture onto the tiles and pointing it was left to soak in for around ten minutes, more solution being added periodically to prevent it drying out.

The floor was then scrubbed using a rotary machine fitted with a black scrubbing pad. This process took some time and in all, five litres of Pro-Clean was consumed in the cleaning process. This was really needed to remove the many years of dirt and building work contaminants which had built up on the floor. A wet vacuum was then used to remove the chemicals and resulting slurry.

Pro-Clean is a strong alkaline product so to rebalance the pH level of the floor it was then given a thorough rinse with a solution of Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up. I like to do this as I don’t want anything affecting the curing of the new sealer later.

Sealing a Terracotta Pamment Floor near Fakenham

The floor was left to dry out overnight and a digital moisture meter was used the following morning to check it was dry. The results were fine and so I proceeded to apply the first of what would be five coats of Tile Doctor Seal & Go which is a water-based acrylic sealer that adds a subtle sheen finish.

Terracotta Tiled Floor After Renovation Ostrich Inn South Creake Fakenham

As it was a fairly large floor area it took five litres of the sealer to treat the whole floor and in total, we spent four days at the property. Satisfyingly, the clients were absolutely staggered and delighted with the results we had achieved with a floor they thought was beyond rescue.

For maintenance cleaning I recommended Tile Doctor Neutral Cleaner which is a pH neutral tile cleaning product which can be used daily if required. It’s a highly effective cleaning product with a pleasant fragrance and it won’t strip the tiles of the newly applied sealer like most strong household cleaners do. It’s also very concentrated so a small amount goes a long way and a small bottle should last a fair while.

Renovating Terracotta Pamment Floor Tiles in Norfolk

Terracotta Pamment Floor Deep Cleaned and Sealed at South Creake Fakenham Read More »