Deep Cleaning Marble Kitchen Floor Tiles

These Marble Floor tiles were installed in the kitchen of a house in Didsbury where a lot of building work had recently completed. You can see from the photograph that the tiles were stained and the grout had darkened.

Marble Tiled Floor Polishing

To improve the look of Marble it’s necessary to strip it right back and then polish which we are able to do with a rotary machine and burnishing pads. The pads come in a set of four; you start with the coarse pad together with a little water and this cuts through and removes surface grime and any surface seal. You then progress through the other finer pads one by one until you get to the final polishing pad which provides a high polish.

Once this was done I got to work on the grout with a dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean which was worked into the grout lines by hand using a stiff grout brush. The tile and grout was then rinsed down three times with clean water to remove any dirt.

To give the floor the final finish Tile Doctor Shine powder was applied using a white buffing pad and a little water; the crystallising powder adds an extra level of shine to the Marble floor giving it that extra wow factor together and also gives it a tough durable finish. I can recommend this last step and certainly the customer was very pleased with overall finish.

 
 
Source: Marble Cleaning Tips Site

Buying And Applying The Right Tile Sealer

When it comes to finishing off your tile, a tile sealer may or may not be a good idea. It is always a good idea to seal the tile grout, but depending what material your tile is made of, will determine whether or not you should seal it. Some tiles will be damaged by certain tile sealer leaving them brittle, dark, or faded.

What Type of Tile Do You Have?

Before running to the hardware store and buying a gallon pail of tile sealer, you should know which type of tile you have. For the most part, all porous tiles need to be sealed. This will mean that your natural stone tiles and unglazed ceramic tiles will benefit greatly to tile sealer. If you don’t know if the tile is porous use a wet sponge on the tile. If the tile has a dark spot where the sponge was, then it is porous.

Petroleum or Water Based Sealers?

Sealers should also be bought according to how porous the tile is. A petroleum based tile sealer should be used on the ceramic tiles, while the water based tile sealer should only be used on natural stone tiles. 

Ask if You Still Don’t Know

Many times if you bring in a sample of the tile you have, the sales clerk at the hardware store will be able to help you determine the right sealer, or if you need any. 

How Much Do You Need?

One you figure out if you need tile sealer, and the type that you should have, then can then figure out how much you need. Measure the length and width of the area that you are going to seal and multiply the two numbers together. That will give you the square feet. Most gallon pails will tell you how much area they cover. If a pail covers 25 square feet, and you have 50 square feet, then you will need two pails. 

Applying the Tile Sealer

To apply the tile sealer that you bought to the area you will need to remember to work quickly, but smoothly. As the sealer dries it will show any imperfections in the ways it is spread, or brushed on.

1. Make off area and protect floors, trim, and furniture around the tile. This will protect the sealer getting on anything else.

2. Open can, or pail, or sealer and mix.

3. Working quickly in one corner of the tile, begin to spread out the sealer with a brush or squeegee. You can transfer small amounts of sealant to a smaller can and pout it out in small amounts on the tile, while quickly spreading it out. 

4. Keep an even amount throughout the process until you have finished the area to be sealed. Some of the sealant will penetrate into the tile itself so continue to spread it out until the area is evenly coated.

5. Let sit for 24 hours before walking on the tiles or putting anything on them. This will help the sealant bond and form a protective barrier. 

6. Lightly polish to a glossy shine.

 
 
Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Cleaning Sandstone Tiles

These Sandstone floor tiles installed in the front room of a house in Bramhall were looking grey with no natural colour due to heavy soiling from family pets and muddy boots.

Cleaning Sandstone Floor Tiles

Cleaning the Sandstone was a straightforward process of applying a dilution of
Tile Doctor Pro-Clean which is a commercial grade alkaline tile cleaning product designed for use on natural stone floors such as Sandstone, being an alkaline it doesn’t eat into the stone like acid cleaners. The solution was left to dwell for a while before working it into the stone with a rotary machine fitted with a black scrubbing pad. The resultant soiled solution was removed using wet vacuum and the floor washed down, there were still a few stubborn areas and the grout needed a good clean with more Pro-Clean and a stiff brush run along the grout lines.

Once I was happy with the condition of the floor any remaining cleaning solution was removed from the floor using a wet vacuum and the stone given a thorough rinse and left to dry.

The floor looked much improved however the customer on this occasion didn’t want the floor sealed which is a shame as a sealer really adds life to a floor and makes it easier to clean as a result this floor will soon discolour.

 
 
Source: Sandstone Tile Cleaning Site

Ceramic Floor Tile Removal: Dos and Don’ts

Ceramic floor tile removal is dirty, labor-intensive and time-consuming. It can cost you thousands of dollars if done by a professional. So for a do-it-yourselfer who wants to tackle such a project themselves, there are a few things you should consider. Here is a list of the dos and don’ts in regard to ceramic floor tile removal.

Dos

Wear goggles. You may need to chip away at tiles or tile pieces, and tile chips can be sharp and dangerous to your eyes. Make sure to wear goggle and protect your eyes.
Wear dust mask. Protect yourself from breathing in dust while you work by wearing a mask.
Wear gloves. Since chunks of tiles may be sharp, this protects your hands from injury.

Don’ts

Don’t damage the sub-floor. Minor damage to the sub-floor can be dealt with, but be careful as you remove the floor tiles not to cause any major damage. This floor will provide a base for the new tiles you’ll put in.
Don’t plan on reusing the old tiles. Sometimes homeowners have the desire to remove floor tiles with the hopes of using them again. This can be done, but the removal process is harder. You may get lucky and save some of the tiles for reuse, but don’t expect all of them to survive the removal process.
 
 
Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Sandstone Tile Cleaning Tips

These beautiful Indian Sandstone tiles were installed on the ground floor of a house near Macclesfield and as you can see from the photographs had become heavily soiled which was masking the true natural colours in the stone resulting in a dark grey appearance.

Cleaning Indian Sandstone Floor Tiles

To get the tiles clean I let them soak in a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean for a while before working the cleaning agent in with a rotary machine fitted with a black scrubbing pad. The Pro-Clean also acts as a stripper so this process will remove any remaining sealer on the surface of the tile as well as the dirt.

Additionally all the grout lines were scrubbed by hand using more Pro-Clean and stiff scrubbing brushes. The remaining soiled solution was then removed from the floor using a wet vacuum and the tiles given a thorough rinse rinsed and left to dry completely with any stubborn marks re-treated using the same process.

Sealing Indian Sandstone Floor Tiles

Once I was satisfied the floor was dry it was sealed using Tile Doctor Seal and Go which is a topical sealer that leaves an attractive low sheen finish and smooth surface, it’s also a water based sealer so there is no smell.

 
 
Source: Sandstone Tile Cleaner in Cheshire

How to Paint Travertine Tiles

Travertine tiles are a form of limestone that is highly porous and fades easily when not given the proper care. Travertine tiles need to be sealed, painted and sealed again to produce a vivid, fine finish. Learn how to paint travertine tiles and make your tiles the ideal canvass for a home improvement activity.

What you’ll need
Mild detergent or cleanser
Sponge
Paint
Paintbrush
Sealant
Resin filler

Step 1 – Clean Travertine Tiles

Use a soapy mixture of mild detergent and water to thoroughly clean the surface of the tile. Use a sponge to mildly scrub the surface. Let the tiles dry.

Step 2 – Apply Sealant

Apply stone sealant to the tiles using a paintbrush. Due to the porous nature of travertine tiles, the sealant will help prevent absorption of the paint and will give better results.

Step 3 – Apply Paint

Use a paintbrush to apply the paint of choice. Remember that multiple light coats are better than applying a single thick coat. Let the paint dry for a few minutes before applying a second coat. Let the paint dry for at least 24 hours.

Step 4 – Apply Sealant

Apply a new coat of sealant to further protect the finish. Let dry.

Choose colors that are of the same shade as your existing travertine tile. This will help give you professional-looking results.
 
 
Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Quarry Tile Maintenance

A customer from Kendal (famous for its Kendal Mintcake) called me in to look at their Quarry Tiled Utility floor, which was looking very dirty and stained. On inspection the sealer had broken down and was no longer protecting the tile resulting in dirt getting ingrained into the pores of the tile resulting in discolouration. We agreed what short of finish was required and the customer booked me in to do the work.

Cleaning Quarry Floor Tiles

My first job was to protect the surrounding areas from splashes so on my arrival I covered the wooden floor in the hallway before starting to remove the old sealer with Tile Doctor Remove and Go, I sprayed it on working in small areas leaving it to dwell for a while before scrubbing it in with a stiff brush making sure I scrubbed it in well before removing the soiled solution with a wet vacuum. I scrubbed all the grout joints at this point to make sure they were all clean and then washed the floor down to remove any chemical and neutralise the floor. It was a relatively small floor so I left it to dry and returned a few house later to seal it.

Sealing Quarry Floor Tiles

On my return I used a damp tester to make sure the floor was dry, which it was, so I sealed it with two coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which is a as well as protecting the floor brings the natural colours out in the tile. Naturally if the damp tester had showed that it was damp I would not have sealed the floor that day as the sealer would not have taken properly.

This job took me one day as it was only a very small floor and I was able to seal it in the same day the customer were happy with the result I went through the maintenance program and explained how to clean the floor.
 
 
Source: Quarry Tile Cleaning Questions Answered

Polished Travertine Tile Care and Maintenance

Travertine tiles are made with limestone. It is commonly known as travertine marble or travertine limestone, and is usually polished. Travertine tiles are a favorite choice among designers because of their exquisite colors and textures. Travertine has a natural beauty which can accent homes nicely. It contains natural imperfections, such as depressions and cavities, which give it its character. This makes proper care and maintenance of travertine tiles a little more challenging.

Regular Sweeping and Cleaning

Polished travertine tile can lose its shine due to dust and soil. Sweeping, dry-mopping and vacuuming regularly can prevent the pits of the tiles from collecting dust. It is highly recommended to place floor mats or rugs at entryways to keep the dirt out. Clean regularly. Mop the floor with a cleaner for travertine or mild cleaner. Then, mop again with clear water to prevent residue buildup. Wipe the floor with a dry mop or towel to avoid streaking.

Use Household Cleaners Which Contain Acid

Travertine tiles are etched easily by acids and stain easily. These substances remove the shine from polished travertine. Protect the tiles from acids with household cleaners which do not contain acid. To protect the tiles from being stained, use water-based cleaners or penetrating sealers. Use wet cloth to wipe any spills immediately.
 
 
Source: www.DoItYourself.com