Tile Doctor Matthew Voyce

100-Year-Old Quarry Tiled Kitchen Floor Restored in Chiswick

This is an original well-worn quarry tiled kitchen floor in Chiswick that we suspect was at least 100 years old. We were asked if we could bring the natural colour and rich lustre to the tiles and carry out some tile and grout remedial work to sharpen up the appearance.

Quarry Tiled Floor Before Restoration Chiswick

I paid a visit to the property to survey the floor and prepare a quote for its renovation. The tiles were surprisingly sound given their age however they were looking very worn and tired and as mentioned by the owner there were several areas were the grouting needed replacing. There was also a second section of tiling that had been added later than the original following the removal of a fireplace.

Quarry Tiled Floor Before Restoration Chiswick

After discussing the scope of the work needed, I worked out a quote that would include the repairs and also a deep clean and seal of both sections of quarry tiles. Happy with the quote, a date was set for the work to start.

Cleaning a Quarry Tiled Kitchen

Work started with cleaning both sections of quarry tiles using a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean to remove oil and grease stains and any remaining protecting coatings. The solution was mopped on to the floor, left for ten minutes and then scrubbed in using an orbital machine fitted with a black pad running at slow speed. Once done, the floor was fully rinsed and the soiling extracted. Following this the tiles were given a steam clean to remove some stubborn staining and then left to dry off overnight.

The next day a single coat of Tile Doctor Colour Grow was applied to the quarry tiles. Being an impregnator, this provides a good base sealer for quarry tiles providing additional stain protection and improving colour.

Quarry Tiled Floor During Grout Repair and Cleaning Chiswick

Next, we carried out grout repairs to several sections of the floor. This involved carefully removing the old grout, replacing with a new grout in a matching tone and then cleaning off the excess ready for final sealing.

Quarry Tiled Floor During Grout Repair and Cleaning Chiswick

Sealing a Quarry Tiled Kitchen

To complete the sealing, six light coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go were added to the floor to provide a durable rich satin seal finish.

Quarry Tiled Floor After Restoration Chiswick

The work was completed by two Tile Doctor technicians in two days and once complete our client was delighted, so much so they left the following comment on our feedback system:

“Tile Doctor renovated our kitchen quarry tiles. Rob and his team were efficient and professional, and the end result was excellent.”

Quarry Tiled Floor After Restoration Chiswick

Before leaving we discussed aftercare cleaning for which I recommended Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner which is designed for cleaning sealed surfaces.

Professional Restoration of a Quarry Tiled Kitchen Floor in West London

100-Year-Old Quarry Tiled Kitchen Floor Restored in Chiswick Read More »

Marble Tiled Hallway Floor Renovation Uxbridge

Classic Black and White Tiled Chequered Floor Renovated in Uxbridge

We received an enquiry regarding a classic chequered Marble tiled entrance hall at a lovely county residence near Uxbridge. The property had been undergoing significant refurbishment and the company doing the work had covered the floor with protective sheeting for a year. With the majority of the work out of the way we were asked to come over and quote for renovating the tiles. This was to include removing any staining, honing the stone to bring back its polished appearance and then sealing to protect it.

Marble Tiled Hallway Floor Before Cleaning Uxbridge

I paid a visit to the property to survey the floor and realised that the White tiles were Marble and the Black tiles Limestone. Not that this would make a difference as the work required would be the same. After measuring up and working out a renovation plan, a quote was provided to the renovation company who were happy for us to proceed.

Cleaning a Marble and Black Limestone Tiled Entrance Hall

Work started with the removal of the protective sheeting and then cleaning with a strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean. This was left to soak in for ten minutes before being slowly worked into each tile with a Black scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary machine.

Tile Doctor Pro-Clean is a versatile tile cleaning product that when applied in a strong dilution can remove oil, grease stains and old protecting coatings including waxes. Once the whole floor had been cleaned in this manner the solution was rinsed off with water and the soiling extracted with a wet vacuum.

The next step was to hone the stone floor using a series of Tile Doctor Burnishing pads starting with a coarse 400-grit to open up the pores and flush out the dirt. The pads are applied with water for lubrication and the soiling generated is extracted with a wet vacuum afterwards. The process was then repeated using the 800 and then 1500-grit burnishing pads rinsing and extracting after each pad. These finer pads close the pores and add a polished honed finish to the stone. This left the floor with a silky-smooth finish with a reflective light sheen.

Marble Tiled Hallway Floor During Cleaning Uxbridge

Sealing a Classic Chequered Marble and Limestone Tiled Entrance Hall Floor

Once dry, the tiles were treated with two applications of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which is an impregnating sealer that enriches the colours and provides durable stain protection. Once the whole floor had been sealed it was buffed with a White pad to remove any excess sealer and further bring up the polished appearance of the stone.

Marble Tiled Hallway Floor During Sealing Uxbridge

With two Tile Doctor technicians working together we were able to complete the whole floor in one day, much to the delight of the client who was keen to get the renovation finished.

Marble Tiled Hallway Floor After Renovation Uxbridge

For aftercare of a polished stone floor, I recommended Tile Doctor Stone Soap which is sealer safe and helps maintain the patina on the stone.

Marble Tiled Hallway Floor After Sealing Uxbridge

Professional Restoration of a Marble and Limestone Floor in North West London

Classic Black and White Tiled Chequered Floor Renovated in Uxbridge Read More »

Black Limestone Kitchen Floor Renovation Northolt

Altering and Renovating a Black Limestone Kitchen Floor in Northolt

1 Comment / Grout Cleaning, Limestone Tile Cleaning and Polishing, Northolt Tile Cleaning / Matthew Voyce

The photographs below are from a 1900’s cottage in Northolt which had a black limestone floor installed in the kitchen. The owners had recently had a new kitchen installed which had a slightly different layout to the original thereby leaving previously covered areas exposed. The client wanted the tiles to be cleaned, and re-sealed and two new tiles installed to cover the newly exposed floor.

Black Limestone Kitchen Floor Before Renovation Northolt

As usual I went over to the property to survey the existing floor and understand the scope of the work required. From this I was able to work out a quote which was accepted and a date agreed for our return.

Cleaning a Black Limestone Tiled Kitchen Floor

Before starting work all the new kitchen fronts were wrapped in a plastic sheet to protect them from splashing and the plinths (kickboards) under the kitchen removed.

Work then started by addressing the tiling changes which basically involved laying two new pieces of matching black Limestone tile we had procured earlier. The Limestone was then cut to shape and fitted into the newly exposed area of floor with a rapid set adhesive. The floor was then left to set before being grouted in using a matching grout.

Black Limestone Kitchen Floor During Repair Northolt

Black Limestone Kitchen Floor During Cleaning Northolt

Once the grout had set, focus moved onto cleaning the tiles and stripping off any old sealer that was present using a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean. The kitchen floor was too small to introduce a large buffing machine for this work so after leaving the product to soak in for ten minutes the limestone tile and grout were scrubbed by hand.

Once done, the floor was rinsed with water and the dirty cleaning solution extracted with a wet vacuum. The floor was then inspected and any stubborn areas spot cleaned using the same process. When I was satisfied the floor was as clean as it could be a heat gun was applied to dry the tiles.

Sealing a Black Limestone Tiled Kitchen

Once I was happy the floor was dry it was sealed using a light application of Tile Doctor Stone Oil to enhance the rich dark colour of the limestone. After further drying the floor was sealed with two applications of Tile Doctor Colour Grow to seal in the stone oil and give extra protection and a uniform appearance.

Black Limestone Kitchen Floor During Sealing Northolt

The work completely transformed the kitchen much to the delight of the owner who left the following feedback:

“Great, professional, friendly, efficient service. Cleaned and re-sealed our black limestone kitchen floor tiles, plus fitting a spare. Great job. Would definitely recommend.”

Black Limestone Kitchen Floor After Renovation Northolt

Before leaving we discussed aftercare cleaning for which I recommended Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner which is designed for cleaning sealed surfaces.

Black Limestone Kitchen Floor After Renovation Northolt