Case Study – Restoring a Quarry Tile Floor in Cambridge
The DirectStone team was asked to restore very old quarry tile flooring in a home in Cambridge. A century of foot traffic leaves its mark, however carefully and consistently the tiles are cleaned. The porous tiling material collects dirt and grime over time, and this dulls the quality of the sheen.
Some of the tiles were cracked, and in places they had become displaced, causing an uneven surface. A number of the tiles were also showing evidence of efflorescence staining. This occurs when water seeps through the tiles into the sub floor. Minerals dissolved in the water then dry in the form of a whitish film on the tiles.
The Restoration Process
We began by mechanically scrubbing the floor surface to remove trapped dirt and grime from the floor. Once this stage was completed, we used diamond abrasive pads to deep clean the old stains that had been absorbed by the tiles, and remove the old sealer.
Once the tiles had undergone a deep clean, we used a topical sealer to create a new, protective coating. Topical sealers sit on top of the tiling material, rather than penetrating the porous texture. Because the sealer bonds with the surface it forms a barrier to dust and stains. The satin finish provides a gentle sheen which softens the colours of the tiles.
The Finished Floor
The restored quarry tile floor in Cambridge gives the impression of a traditional waxed finish, but relieves the owner of ongoing heavy-duty maintenance. Quarry tiles are popular because of their heritage aesthetic, but also because of the warm glow of the red and black tiles. The lightest of cleaning touches will now be enough to maintain the sheen and warmth of colouring achieved in the course of this restoration.
If you have a stone floor which is in need of restoration, call our team today to find out how we can help with its restoration.
If you have a stone floor which is in need of restoration, call our team today on 01525 863920 to find out how we can help with its restoration.
