Limestone Tile Cleaning and Polishing

Welcome to my Work History archive where you will find detailed examples of the cleaning and renovation of Limestone tiles carried out in North West London

Cleaning and Renovating Limestone tiles

Limestone is a sedimentary stone, as such it’s generally very porous and acid sensitive and can be damaged through the use of even mildly acidic soaps, shampoos and body washes. Because of this we do not recommend it for use in wet rooms, shower cubicles or near swimming pools.

Like any stone Limestone needs to be sealed to prevent dirt becoming ingrained in its pores and many varieties including Blue Lias, Blue Moleanos, Jerusalem and White Moleanos to name a few can be polished to a high shine using a series of burnishing pads.

We have found that Black Limestone has become very popular in gardens where it contrasts well against green planting and looks fantastic when wet. One issue we find however is it easily upset by the use of acidic patio cleaners that leave the stone looking dull and lifeless. If this has affected you then not to worry we do have a way of restoring the beauty of the stone back to its original condition.

Below you will find detailed examples of work we have carried out in the past, it should give you some idea of what’s involved and what can be achieved with the right techniques and products.

Marble Tiled Hallway Floor Renovation Uxbridge

Classic Black and White Tiled Chequered Floor Renovated in Uxbridge

1 Comment / Limestone Tile Cleaning and Polishing, Marble Tile Cleaning, Uxbridge Tile Cleaning /

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 /

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.

Black Limestone Kitchen Floor Before Renovation Northolt Black Limestone Kitchen Floor Before Renovation Northolt

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

 

Professional Restoration of a Black Slate Tiled Kitchen in Northwest London

Altering and Renovating a Black Limestone Kitchen Floor in Northolt Read More »

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