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Slate tiled floors restoration
Our slate tiled floor restoration services:
Removal of in ground soiling and ineffective seals and polishes.
Sealing with appropriate protective sealants.
Slate Grout cleaning.
Either whole floor or partial re grouting of the slate floor.
Replacing missing or damaged or cracked slate tiles.
Provide you with full aftercare instructions.
What to expect when we restore your slate floor :
Here are just a few examples of our work – after 20 years spent restoring and refinishing floors we have accumulated a vast knowledge base and library of photographs showing the results of our work. We have many more examples that we are able to send you and we are often able to provide you with a very close example of your own floor!
Chinese slate floor in Oxfordshire
Before
The previous owners had varnished the slate floor; the layers of varnish obscured the slate and the floor was impossible to clean.
After
The inappropriate floor varnish now chemically removed; grout deep cleaned and finally the slate was sealed with a good quality colour enhancing penetrating slate sealer. The vibrant colours and natural elements of the natural slate are revealed once again and the customer is once again inviting visitors in the house!
Black slate floor restored in Stroud
Before
These black slate floor tiles were in quite a bad state with the tile grout grout failing due to an incorrect grout being used; the slate had also been been sealed with an acrylic tile polish which is the an inappropriate floor finish for this floor type.
After
The grout was replaced in areas with matching filler before cleaning and treating the floor with 2 coats of suitable slate sealant to prevent staining; the penetrating seal has a very slight sheen leaving the floor looking natural and easy to maintain.
Flooded slate floor in Shrewsbury
Before
Shrewsbury slate floor tiles in a very poor state after severe flooding; the house was next to a stream which had over flowed resulting in 12" of standing water over a 3 day period! The existing solvent-based seal had degraded and was flaking in areas.
After
Thankfully slate is very resilient and survived in tact. Now fully restored and as our customer commented the ‘floor looked better than before the flooding!’ After removing the old seals the grout and tiles were deep cleaned and effervescence treated,; finally the slate was sealed with an effervescence inhibiting chemical.
The benefits of our slate floor tile refinishing system
We use micro porous protective seals have the following benefits:
Micro porous (allows the slate to "breathe")
Stain resistant and easy to maintain.
Protects and consolidates tile surface.
Easy to maintain and does not require re stripping – as in the case of polishes and waxes which attract soiling.
Durable and long lasting protection.
Enhances natural stone colours.
Example of a slate tile treated with our recommended sealer
Common problems with slate floors and Solutions - We provide the full range of services
Common Problems
Likely causes
Our services
Slate tiles attract dirt and soil easily.
Incorrect seals /polishes applied – commonly metalized polishes and sometimes we have found varnishes that have been applied; these types of artificial finishes attract soiling and the dirt that becomes embedded into the floor finish which then proves impossible to remove with normal cleaning; additionally these polishes also require frequent stripping and removal.
Mechanically remove all traces of the old inappropriate contaminated seals.
Slate tiles are yellowing and discoloured; the finish is obscuring the natural colour and beauty of the tile.
In correct seals applied – as above – the polish has degraded and yellowed.
We will Remove inappropriate seals and seal with a good quality penetrating seal.
Slate tiles are cracked or chipped.
Tiles laid on newly laid concrete floor that has not had sufficient drying/curing time; the subsequent movement of the concrete causes the tiles to crack.
Slate tiles laid on incorrect adhesives – the adhesive should be flexible to allow for contraction and expansion.
In cases where the tiles are newly laid then If under floor heating is installed then this should be set to its lowest setting and gradually increased over a period of 4 weeks; setting the temperature on a high setting will inevitably lead to cracking of the tiles as the adhesives and grout should be permitted to dry naturally as well as acclimatizing the tiles.
Structural movement – natural under floor movement of concrete etc.; again this is more prevalent in cases where the adhesives are not flexible and tends to occur at weak spots such as doorways.
We will carefully remove the tile/s before replacing the tile and embedding it on a flexible adhesive and grout.
Please note that if you have electrical circuit type under floor heating system fitted that there is a risk of damage to the system and that whilst we take every care in removing the tile that we are unable to accept responsibility for any damage caused to the system; that said most UFH systems are in any case repairable but you should check with your UFH company before work commences.
There is far less risk of damage involved with a 'wet' under floor heating system which consists of water heated pipes located 1-2" below the substrate and in any case any damage can be more easily rectified.
Slate tiles grouting is discoloured or missing in areas.
General wear and tear; inappropriate seals applied which attract soiling.
We will deep chemical clean the grout and in most cases the grout will return almost to its original condition.
Missing grout will be replaced with very closely matching filler.
