Stirling Archives - Stirling Tile Doctor

Victorian Tiled Vestibule Floor Restoration Alloa

Stained Victorian Tiled Vestibule Floor Renovated in Alloa

This client from Alloa has a small Victorian Tiled vestibule at the entrance to their property that needed attention. The lovely Victorian tiles had been stained with white paint during decorating by the previous owners. They had managed to clean most of the paint off themselves but this had stripped off the sealer in the process leaving it vulnerable to ingrained dirt resulting in the dull appearance you see now. Keen to have the vestibule looking its best the client contacted us to address the issue and restore the tiles to their former condition.

Stained Victorian Floor Tiles Before Cleaning Alloa Vestibule

An inspection of the tiles revealed no damp proof membrane beneath the floor, likely due to the age of the property. Using a lot of water on a floor without a DPM can encourage the appearance of efflorescence (salt deposits) as the floor dries so we opted to use gel products instead of diluted strippers and cleaners. This approach helps reduce excess moisture during the cleaning process.

Cleaning a Victorian Tiled Entrance Vestibule in Alloa

After adding protection to the adjacent skirting work started on cleaning the tiling using Tile Doctor Oxy-Gel which was spread over the tiles and allowed to soak in for 15 to twenty minutes. This dwell times give the product time to break down the soiling and soften other contaminates. The product was then scrubbed into the floor using a coarse 200-grit pad fitted to a rotary buffer, passing over each tile at least four times to bring the dirt and soiling to the surface where it was removed with a wet vacuum. The floor was then given a rinse with water to remove any remaining soiling and extracted with the wet vacuum.

To complete the restorative cleaning process, the tiles were given and acid rinse using Tile Doctor Acid Gel which was left to soak in got five to ten minutes before being scrubbed in, this time using a black pad. This product neutralises the alkaline cleaners used earlier and will also dissolve any salts that may be present in the floor. Next, I extracted the soiled solution and thoroughly rinsed the tiles with cloths and water to minimize moisture levels. After a final vacuum the floor was left to dry off overnight.

Sealing a Victorian Tiled Vestibule in Alloa

The next day, the floor was tested to ensure the Victorian tiles were dry enough for sealing. This is an important step as applying sealer to a damp floor will lead to an inconsistent finish.

The floor was dry and so ready for sealing with Tile Doctors Colour Grow, a tough colour enhancing breathable impregnator that’s well-suited for an entrance hall that will see heavy foot traffic and wet shoes. Two coats were applied, with any excess removed with clean cloths five minutes after each application. A forty-minute drying time was allowed between coats and then after two hours, a water test confirmed the sealer was working properly. The sealer becomes walkable in four hours and fully cured within twenty-four hours.

Victorian Tiled Floor After Restoration Alloa Vestibule

It’s crucial to maintain the floor properly and using regular tile cleaner on sealed tiles is inadvisable, as they can strip the sealer over time. Instead, a bottle of Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner was provided for cleaning the floor. This pH-neutral cleaner effectively removes dirt and grime without damaging the sealer, helping to extend the sealer’s lifespan and protect the tiles.

Professional Restoration of a Victorian Tiled Entrance Hallway in Stirling

Stained Victorian Tiled Vestibule Floor Renovated in Alloa Read More »

Limestone Kitchen Floor Renovation Crianlarich

Heavily Soiled Limestone Kitchen Floor Renovated in Crianlarich

Earlier this year I attended a home in Crianlarich to work on a Limestone Kitchen floor. The stone floor was pretty grubby and proving difficult to keep clean. It was clear to me that the sealer that had once protected the stone had been worn away leaving it vulnerable to ingrained dirt. This process happens so slowly you don’t really notice it.

Limestone Kitchen Floor Before Cleaning Crianlarich

I carried out a small test clean to demonstrate just how bad the problem was and the improvement made by the cleaning was quite a contrast. Impressed by this and now looking forward to a transformed floor I was asked to provide a price for the renovation.

I worked out a quote which included deep cleaning the tile and grout, polishing the Limestone and then sealing the whole floor with a hard-wearing sealer. They were happy to go ahead, and we scheduled a date in for the work, it was only a small area so would not take too long.

Cleaning a Limestone Tiled Kitchen Floor

To get the tile and grout clean I started with a 1 to 4 dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean which was sprayed onto the floor and left to soak in for ten minutes. The dwell times gives the product time to breakdown the dirt and old sealer before being worked into the floor using a Black Scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary buffer machine. The pads are run over each tile multiple times to lift the dirt from the pores of the stone.

After rinsing the tiles and extracting the soiling with a wet vacuum it was time to refine the appearance of the Limestone using a set of diamond burnishing pads of different grits. This process starts with a coarse 400-grit burnishing pad and then repeated with a medium 800-grit pad and a fine 1500-grit pad. The floor is rinsed and extracted after each pad to remove the slurry generated during the process.

The next step was to scrub the grout lines using more Tile Doctor Pro-Clean. I find this is best done manually, as the pads can struggle to reach the recesses of the grout lines. Once complete, the floor was rinsed and extracted multiple times to neutralize it and remove any remaining product.

The floor was then left to dry off overnight.

Sealing a Limestone Tiled Kitchen Floor

On my return the next day work started with the application of the last of the four burnishing pads which is a an extra-fine 3000-grit. This pad further refines the stone and is applied dry to the floor, with only a light misting of water sprayed onto the tile – a process we call a “Spray Burnish”. This leaves the floor nice and dry, and ready for the final step of sealing.

Having discussed sealers and the difference finishes that can be achieved with the customer earlier we had decided upon Tile Doctor Ultra-Seal. This is an almost invisible sealer that leaves the Limestone looking very natural. It works by seeping into the stone, occupying the pores and thereby preventing dirt from becoming ingrained there. This ensures dirt remains on the surface where it can be easily cleaned away. Only two coats of Tile Doctor Ultra-Seal were needed to fully seal the stone, leaving around 30 minutes of drying time between coats.

Limestone Kitchen Floor After Cleaning Sealing Crianlarich

I think you will agree from the photographs the Limestone floor was transformed by the renovation process and now looks so much cleaner and lighter in colour. The Kitchen now looks much more appealing and inviting much to the delight of my customers.

For the ongoing care of this polished stone floor, we recommend using Tile Doctor Stone Soap. It is a gentle yet effective cleaner that helps maintain the patina without damaging the sealer, ensuring the floor’s finish lasts for a long time.

Professional Cleaning and Polishing of a Limestone Tiled Kitchen Floor in Stirling

Heavily Soiled Limestone Kitchen Floor Renovated in Crianlarich Read More »

Ceramic Tiled Floor Grout Restoration in Cumbernauld

Discoloured and missing Grout Restored on a Ceramic Tiled Floor in Cumbernauld

1 Comment / Bannockburn Tile Cleaning, Ceramic Tile Cleaning, Grout Cleaning / Chris Munro

These clients in Cumbernauld had recently moved into a new home with light grey ceramic tiles covering the kitchen, dining area, and lounge floors. Whilst the tiles were mostly in good condition and the clients wanted to keep them, the grout was a problem. The grout was discoloured throughout the installation and in some places, it was damaged or completely missing.

Ceramic Tiled Floor Before After Damage Repaired Cumbernauld

Discoloured grout is one of the main problems we find with ceramic or porcelain tiled floors, this is because the tiles are impervious, and any dirt tends to get washed off into the grout line. The surface of grout is porous and so it will attract dirt over time and unless its sealed it will start to stain and discolour.

Having reviewed the floors, I recommended deep cleaning the tiles paying particular attention to the grout lines, replacing grout where required and then applying a grout colourant to achieve a consistent appearance throughout. Grout colourants seal in the grout thereby making it as impervious as the adjacent tiles and much easier to keep clean.

Happy with my quote we set a date for my return to do the renovation.

Deep Cleaning and Recolouring Grout on a Ceramic Tiled Floor

To thoroughly clean the tiles and grout I applied a 5 to 1 dilution of Tile Doctors Pro-Clean and left it to soak into the tiles for ten minutes. Then using a stiff bristle brush the solution was worked over the tiles and the soiling removed using a wet vacuum. The grout was then cleaned separately using the same approach with a grout brush. The floor was rinsed with clean, cold water and dried as much as possible with the wet vacuum.

Once the cleaning was complete, the damaged grout was removed and repaired using a light grey flexible grout, matching the desired recolouring.

Ceramic Tiled Floor During Grout Repairs Cumbernauld

The recolouring process had to be done carefully in small sections to prevent the solution from drying on the tile surfaces and causing staining or damage. We selected to use Tile Doctor Grout Colourant in light grey. This product is available in eleven shades. This is a slow process, but the results are well worth the time spent.

Ceramic Tiled Floor During Grout Colouring Cumbernauld

The recoloured grout gave the entire floor a lighter, refreshed appearance. It’s a cost-effective way to renew the space and certainly much quicker than regrouting.

The clients were very pleased with the result, which is evident in the before and after photos showing the repaired tile at the doorway, regrouting the floor and the lounge floor showing the difference between recoloured grout and old grout.

As the tiles are ceramic there is no requirement to apply a sealer, they are sealed with a glaze at the factory. For aftercare cleaning I recommend Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner which is a pH neutral product that won’t impact the grout colour. The stronger floor cleaning products you find in supermarkets can be too strong and often contain bleach.

Ceramic Tiled Floor After Grout Repair and Colouring Cumbernauld

Professional Grout Restoration on a Ceramic Tiled Floor

Discoloured and missing Grout Restored on a Ceramic Tiled Floor in Cumbernauld Read More »

Deep Cleaning and Sealing a Slate Tiled Kitchen Floor in Dunblane

1 Comment / Dunblane Tile Cleaning, Grout Cleaning, Slate Tile Cleaning / Chris Munro

Due to scheduling conflicts, I was unable to survey this Slate tiled floor at a property in Dunblane. This was mainly due to the client who didn’t live at the property and was only available on certain dates. As a result, I requested detailed photos and measurements of the kitchen, which allowed me to assess the tiles and provide a quote for renovating the floor. This is not ideal, especially for old floors but in this case, I was happy this would be a straightforward clean and seal.

The proposed work would take two days and involve removing the remaining old sealer, deep cleaning the slate, and then resealing the tiles with a matte finish sealer. It’s important to remove all the old sealer before applying new as busier parts of the floor will wear the most resulting in different levels of sealant across the floor.

I worked out a detailed quote for the renovation, which was accepted, and dates agreed to complete the work.

Cleaning a Slate Tiled Kitchen Floor

Work began by adding protection to the kitchen units, I use a lot of water during the cleaning process and didn’t want to mark them in anyway. Once that was done a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go was applied to the floor and left to soak into the stone for ten minutes. This gives it time to breakdown the old coatings and being an alkaline product its safe for use on all types of stone or tile. A 200-grit diamond pad fitted to a rotary floor buffer was then applied to the tiles and work the solution into the stone. This process strips off the remaining sealer and pulls the dirt out of the pores of the stone.

Slate Kitchen Floor Before Cleaning Dunblane

This was then followed with grout cleaning brush along the grout lines and corners to ensure I reached all the areas which needed to be cleaned. The floor was then thoroughly rinsed, and the soiled solution was removed using a wet vacuum.

Next, I treated the floor with an acid wash using Tile Doctor Grout Clean-up. This product is effective for removing grout smears and other mineral deposits, it also neutralises the pH level of the floor after the use of the alkaline Tile Doctor Remove and Go. After using the rotary cleaning machine and black pad to work the solution into the tiles I rinsed the floor and extracted all the soiling with the wet vacuum.

Sealing a Slate Tiled Kitchen Floor

The floor was left to dry overnight and returned the next day to apply the sealer. Before doing so, I checked the moisture level of the tiles with a damp meter to check they had dried sufficiently. This step is crucial, as applying sealer to a damp floor can lead to an inconsistent finish.

The sealer chosen for the Slate tiles was Tile Doctors Colour Grow. This was chosen as the client wanted a matt finish and was keen to bring out the natural colours in the Slate. Two coats of sealer were applied to protect the floor from ingrained dirt. The first coat was applied and after 5 minutes the excess sealer was removed with a white cotton cloth. After half an hour passed the second coat was applied and again the excess sealer was removed. A water test was completed after 2 hours to ensure the sealer had worked.

Slate Kitchen Floor After Cleaning Sealing Dunblane

Once done the Slate tiles looked so much brighter and the grout was consistently clean. My client was delighted with the finished appearance of the Slate tiles as the true colour was again visible.

Before leaving we discussed aftercare cleaning and the importance of avoiding strong cleaning products which can damage the sealer. Because of this I always recommend Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner which is pH neutral.

Professional Restoration of a Slate Tiled Kitchen Floor in Stirling

Deep Cleaning and Sealing a Slate Tiled Kitchen Floor in Dunblane Read More »

Textured Ceramic Shop Floor Tiles Before After Cleaning Stirling

Textured Ceramic Flooring Deep Cleaned in Stirling Shop

1 Comment / Ceramic Tile Cleaning, Grout Cleaning, Work by Category, Work History / Chris Munro

The anti-slip nature of Textured Ceramic tiles make them a popular choice for public areas such as in this case a shop floor in my local city of Stirling. They do have a major drawback though, in that the rough textured surface which gives the tile its anti-slip property traps dirt over time making them look very unattractive and very difficult to clean effectively.

Textured Ceramic Tiled Shop Floor Before Deep Cleaning Stirling

The photograph below shows just how dirty my customers shop floor looked when I arrived to survey the floor. Despite cleaning the floor with all manner of supermarket products the tiles looked incredibly dirty and did not provide the clean inviting appearance they wanted to portray. The shop was due to open for the first time shortly and desperate to resolve the situation we were asked to come over and give the ceramic tile and grout a really deep clean.

If you’re not familiar with Stirling, then you should know its steeped in history and was once the capital of Scotland. It was also the location of several battles during the Scottish war of independence from England involving William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

Deep Cleaning Textured Ceramic Shop Flooring

Normally on commercial projects we get involved in we have to work outside of normal opening times as its not practical to deep clean a floor with people coming and going fortunately however this was not a problem in this case.

After clearing the floor space, we set to work soaking the tile and grout in a medium dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean which is our go to Tile and Grout cleaner. It was left to soak into the tile for about ten minutes before the floor was scrubbed, so it could get to work on breaking down the dirt. To make light work of scrubbing the solution into the floor we used a coarse diamond burnishing pad fitted to a rotary floor buffer. It was interesting to see the cleaning solution turning black with dirt as we moved across the floor.

Once done the soiled cleaning solution was rinsed off the floor with water and then extracted with a wet vacuum. Next step was to give the grout a good scrub using a repeat of the same process however we find a stiff scrubbing brush run over the grout lines works best for this as pads can struggle to reach into the recesses of the grout.

The process worked well and after rinsing and extracting again we did a final inspection spot treating any stubborn areas with a repeat of the same process until we were satisfied the tile and grout were as clean as they could be.

The floor looked really fresh by the time we had finished, and you can image my client was very pleased with the results and relieved that the floor looked clean again.

Textured Ceramic Tiled Shop Floor After Deep Cleaning Stirling

Professional Shop Floor Tile and Grout Cleaning in Stirling

Textured Ceramic Flooring Deep Cleaned in Stirling Shop Read More »