Author name: Kevin Parry

Covering Greater Manchester, Joe Atkinson is your local specialist for tile cleaning, stone cleaning, grout cleaning and tile, stone and grout sealing covering the restoration of all types of stone and tiled flooring including Ceramic, Limestone, Marble, Porcelain, Quarry, Sandstone, Slate, Terracotta, Terrazzo, Travertine and Victorian tile

Ceramic Tile Grout Before and After Renovation Levenshulme

Flaking Grout Renovation in Levenshulme Bathroom

We were contacted by a client from the Levenshulme area of Greater Manchester who had just purchased a property there and hated the state of the grout which despite cleaning did not improve. The owner said she could not use the bathroom in this state as it looked disgusting and unclean and was keen to have it renovated. The rest of the house was being redecorated so whilst that was going on, I was called over to have a proper look at the grout and quote for sorting it out.

Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Before Renovation Levenshulme Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Before Renovation Levenshulme

It didn’t take long to understand the issue, is seems the previous owner in an attempt to improve the appearance of the grout had touched it up by applying another thin layer of grout on top of the original. Now both the new and old was starting to flake off making a real mess.

Flaking Grout Levenshulme Bathroom Before Renovation Flaking Grout Levenshulme Bathroom Before Renovation

I explained to the client we would need to scrape out the new layer, clean the original and then apply a grout colourant to improve the overall appearance. I gave her a price for the work, and she was happy for me to go ahead with the job.

Cleaning a Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Grout

My first task was to scrape off the new layer of grout, so I had a stable grout line to work from. I then started cleaning the grout up using a Tile Doctor Grout Colourant Pre-Treater cleaner, this cleans up the grout and being acidic it etches the surface to provide a better base for the grout colourant to adhere to. The dirt was rinsed off and then the area was dried using a heat gun.

Once dry I used a Tile Doctor Grout Colourant in Charcoal Grey (one bottle was sufficient). This product is equally effective for interior or exterior applications including bathrooms and kitchens and it is available in ten different colours. The client had requested to darken the grout and give it a completely new modern look. The colourant is painted onto the grout with a small brush and any excess which gets onto the tile is removed with a cloth before it dries.

Ceramic Tiled Bathroom During Grout Colouring Levenshulme Ceramic Tiled Bathroom During Grout Colouring Levenshulme

The best thing about the grout colourant is it forms an easy to clean seal over the grout which ensures the grout is protected. Given Ceramic tiles are glazed and therefore don’t need sealing the new combination should ensure the tiles keep their appearance for a very long time with minimal cleaning. The silicone sealant between the bath and the wall tiles looked in good condition and had not discoloured so there was no need for this to be replaced.

Ceramic Tiled Bathroom After Renovation Levenshulme Ceramic Tiled Bathroom After Renovation Levenshulme

The bathroom now looked clean and inviting and I’m pleased to report my client was very happy with the completed renovation and was finally happy to use the bathroom!

I recommended that for on-going cleaning that they use Tile Doctor Aqua-Pro, this is a pH neutral cleaner with a trigger action for easy application. It can be used in the bathroom every day. It helps to keep soap scum and limescale at bay and has a pleasant lemon smell so cleaning should not be too much of a chore.

Ceramic Tiled Bathroom After Renovation Levenshulme

 

Professional Renovation of a Ceramic Tiled Bathroom in Greater Manchester

Flaking Grout Renovation in Levenshulme Bathroom Read More »

Ceramic Tiled Shower Before After Renovation Romiley

Cleaning a Ceramic Tiled Shower Room in Romiley

The pictures below are of a White Ceramic tiled shower cubicle at a property in Romiley that was installed twelve years prior. The home owner had cleaned it regularly with household cleaning products but were unable to improve the dirty and mouldy grout and the silicone seal around the edges.

Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Before Cleaning in Romiley

The owner was most concerned about the discolouration of the grout and had never been happy with the silicone sealant between the shower tray and tiles which had been poorly applied and for the most part smeared over 3cm up and down over where the bead should be.

I visited the property and recommended that the best course of action would be to apply a White Grout Colourant over the grout which would seal the grout in and protect it from further staining as well as making it much easier to clean. Grout is cementous and as such its rough surface easily traps dirt as well as making it easier for mould to take a hold.

Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Before Cleaning in Romiley Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Before Cleaning in Romiley

A few miles east of Stockport Romiley was for centuries an agricultural area, until the late Victorian era when it grew into the popular residential area it is today.

Renovating a Ceramic Tiled Shower Room

I started by cleaning the grout using the Tile Doctor Pre-Treater which comes with the Tile Doctor Grout Colouring Kit, I also made use of a professional steamer with a special grout cleaning attachment to get the grout as clean as it could be. The Tile Doctor Pre-Treater is also slightly acidic, so it etches the surface of the grout to improve the bond with the grout colourant. I rinsed the shower wall with water to remove the soiling and then dried it with a soft cloth and heat gun. The White Grout Colourant was applied using a small brush, taking care to wipe off the excess from the surface of the adjacent tile as I went.

Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Window Before Cleaning in Romiley Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Window After Grout Colouring in Romiley

Sealing a Ceramic Tile Shower Room

Whilst waiting for the Tile Doctor Grout Colourant to dry I started to carefully strip away the old silicone using a sharp Stanley knife and scraper. This is a slow job and you have to be careful not to damage the shower tray or the tiles with the blade. The old sealer was smeared all over as you can see in the pictures- so it took me two hours of scraping to remove all the sealant.

Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Silicone Strip Before Replacement in Romiley

They really had made a poor job of applying the seal. The ceramic tiles were slightly textured which didn’t help. Once that was cleaned off and replaced with new silicone the bathroom looked transformed. The silicon just needed to dry for 24 hours before they could start using the shower again.

Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Window After Cleaning and Grout Colouring in Romiley

My customer was very happy. As you can see from the pictures the shower room now looks clean and tidy and like new.

Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Window After Cleaning and Grout Colouring in Romiley Ceramic Tiled Bathroom Window After Cleaning and Grout Colouring in Romiley

 

Professional Restoration of a Ceramic Tiled Shower room in Greater Manchester

Cleaning a Ceramic Tiled Shower Room in Romiley Read More »

Riven Green Slate Floor Before After Cleaning Sealing Oldham

Dark Green Riven Slate Floor Cleaned and Sealed in Oldham Kitchen

The pictures below are of a Dark Green Riven Slate floor that was installed around twenty years ago in the kitchen of a property in Oldham. The floor was renovated about 12 years ago, but the client did not follow recommendations from the previous contractor about the use of a Neutral Cleaning product or topping up the sealer each year. As a result, the slate had become progressively dirtier as the sealer wore down and dirt became ingrained in the stone making it difficult to clean. The slate was now dull and had lost its character, the grout was also looking grubby and there was talk of having it removed and replaced.

Riven Slate Floor Before Cleaning Oldham Riven Slate Floor Before Cleaning Oldham

I went over to Oldham to survey the floor and quote for renovating the floor. Whilst I was there, I discussed the fact that natural stone floors like this Slate floor need to be sealed in order to keep the dirt out of the pores of the stone. Once dirt becomes ingrained in the stone its very difficult to keep it clean and the only way to restore its original appearance is to give it a deep clean and apply a fresh sealer. Keen to have the floor restored and relieved to hear I could clean the grout they gave me the go ahead and we arranged a date for my return.

Cleaning a Natural Dark Green Riven Slate Tiled Kitchen Floor

To get the floor clean I followed my usual technique of applying a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go, leaving it to dwell for ten minutes and then working it in with a rotary machine fitted with a scrubbing pad. I also used more Tile Doctor Remove and Go along the grout lines and scrubbed it in with a scrubbing brush and a steam cleaner. The floor was then rinsed with water and all the soils extracted with a wet vacuum. The floor was inspected, and any stubborn areas re-treated with a repeat of the process until I was satisfied the Slate tile and grout was as clean as it could be.

Riven Slate Floor During Cleaning Oldham

One problem I had was cleaning behind the big American fridge freezer, I had to wait until the adjacent floor was clean and fairly dry before I could move the fridge onto it, allowing me to get behind and clean the floor. Fortunately, the water pipe going to the fridge was just long enough to be able to easy mover fridge backwards.

Riven Slate Floor Before Cleaning Behind Fridge Oldham Riven Slate Floor During Cleaning Behind Fridge Oldham Riven Slate Floor After Cleaning Behind Fridge Oldham

Getting the Slate tile and grout clean took up the whole of day one and before leaving I put several specialist floor fans in place to assist with the drying process.

Riven Slate Floor During Cleaning Oldham

Sealing a Dark Green Riven Slate Tiled Kitchen Floor

The next day the floor was clean and dry, in fact I always use a damp meter to check the moisture level in the stone to ensure its dry before sealing. The cleaning process had removed all the dirt from the stone but had also taken away some of the natural oils which now needed to be put back.

To do this I applied a coat of Tile Doctor Stone Oil which is an impregnating sealer designed to enhance the colour and texture of floors and improve mechanical strength once cured. Once the Stone Oil had dried, I followed with a coat of Tile Doctor Ultra Seal to add further protection. This is a no-sheen, natural-look sealer that provides maximum stain protection.

Riven Slate Floor During Sealing Oldham Riven Slate Floor During Sealing Oldham

Once the sealer had dried the floor looked fantastic, certainly my customer thought so and left the following on-line review:

“Kamila was quick to contact me and was helpful, friendly and professional. She has done a fantastic job stripping, cleaning and resealing my kitchen slate floor. I would highly recommend her work! Katy, Oldham”

We discussed maintenance cleaning and I re-iterated the point about using a Neutral Tile cleaner for the regular cleaning of the floor and the benefits of using the Tile Doctor maintenance program which they are considering.

Riven Slate Floor After Sealing Oldham Riven Slate Floor After Sealing Oldham

 

Professional Restoration of a Dark Green Riven Slate Tiled Kitchen in Greater Manchester

Dark Green Riven Slate Floor Cleaned and Sealed in Oldham Kitchen Read More »

Slate Affect Porcelain Floor Before After Restoration Bury

Cleaning a Slate effect Porcelain Tiled floor in Bury

A client from Bury, north of Manchester, contacted us to have their Slate tiled floor stripped and sealed and have the grout replaced. They were finding it difficult to keep clean and were mainly concerned about the grout which they described as awful.

As per usual practice I went over to survey the floor and work out a price for doing the work. After running some tests, I realised that the tiles were actually Porcelain which are manufactured to imitate Slate and therefore far easier to maintain. I recommended a deep clean of the tile and grout followed by the application of a grout colourant to restore the appearance. I completed a test clean on part of the floor which they were very happy with and they agreed to my quote. We booked the work in to be completed later in the month.

Slate Look Porcelain Tile and Grout Before Cleaning Bury Slate Look Porcelain Tile and Grout Before Cleaning Bury

Cleaning/Repairing a Slate effect Porcelain Tiled Kitchen Floor

First, I prepared the area and taped up the plinths and skirting to protect them. I then cleaned the floor using Tile Doctor Remove and Go, which is sprayed onto the tile and grout and then scrubbed in with the aid of a rotary floor machine fitted with a scrub brush. The slurry was then extracted off the floor by rinsing with water and extracting with a wet vacuum.

The next step was to apply Tile Doctor Grout Colourant Pre-Treater to the grout lines and scrub it in. This product is slightly acidic so as well as cleaning it also etches the grout to provide a better bond with the colourant. It was left to get to work on the grout for a few minutes and then was scrubbed in with a stiff narrow brush. I used a steamer and a wet vacuum to get the grout as clean as it could be and then left it to dry for a short time.

With the tile and grout as clean as it could be, I inspected the floor and could see areas where the grout was still stained and others where it was crumbling. Only the application of a grout colourant would give the consistent appearance desired by the customer. First though I needed to tackle the crumbling grout by scrapping out the old grout and replacing with new.

Sealing a Slate effect Porcelain Tiled Kitchen Floor

I needed the fresh grout to dry out, so I left the floor overnight and came back the next day to complete the grout colouring for which I used one bottle of Tile Doctor Grout Colourant in Limestone wiping off any excess as I went. As the floor tiles were in fact Porcelain there was no need to apply a sealer so once the colourant had dried the job was complete.

Slate Look Porcelain Tile and Grout During Grout Colouring Bury

Once finished the floor looked great, it was now clear that it has been the grout that had brought down the overall appearance of the floor.

My customer was very happy with their new floor and even left me a bottle of wine! I left then with some Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner, used regularly it will ensure the appearance of the floor is maintained and the grout is protected.

Slate Look Porcelain Tile and Grout After Renovation Bury

 

Professional Restoration of a Porcelain Tiled Kitchen Floor in Greater Manchester

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Tiled Shower Cubicle Renovation Chorlton

Renovating a Ceramic Tiled Shower Cubicle in Chorlton

We were contacted by the client in Chorlton suburb of Manchester to look at restoring the appearance of a Ceramic tiled shower cubicle. The grout was very dirty and severely discoloured, despite trying multiple products nothing the client did could resolve the problem. Having given up on their own efforts they were considering having the shower re-grouted as a final option and contacted Tile Doctor.

I went over to the property to look at the shower cubicle and could see that although the Ceramic tiles were holding some dirt it was the grout that was the main issue. The cementitious and rough nature of the grout was holding onto the dirt and was developing mould in some places. What was once a nice crisp white shower grout had turned black and was now very uninviting.

Shower Cubicle Before Restoration Chorlton Shower Cubicle Before Restoration Chorlton

Although we have had a lot of success using grout cleaning products such as Tile Doctor Oxy-Gel and Duo Clean, I knew from experience that it would be very difficult to remove the deep staining completely. When the grout is this badly discoloured the best solution is to clean the grout as much as possible and then use a Tile Doctor Grout Colourant to restore the colour. I discussed with them the process and they were happy with my price and gave me the go ahead.

Cleaning and Restoring a Ceramic Tiled Shower Cubicle

I set about cleaning the grout using the Tile Doctor Grout Colourant Pre-Treatment spray which not only cleans the grout lines it is also slightly acidic, so it etches the surface of the grout enabling a superior bond with the colourant which is applied later. This was sprayed onto the tile and scrubbed by hand with a stiff brush. I also used a steam cleaner with a special grout nozzle to focus the steam and draw out as much of the ingrained dirt as possible.

Once I was happy with the grout, I turned my attention to the ceramic shower tiles which were scrubbed with Tile Doctor Oxy-Gel. I then rinsed the tiles and grout with water to remove the soil that had been released. Ceramic tiles are glazed so they don’t attract dirt as easily as grout which was the main problem with this shower. The shower tiles and grout were then wiped with a cloth and gentry dried with a heat gun.

Once the grout was dry, I applied Tile Doctor Grout Colourant in white, this is simply brushed on with a small brush and any excess that gets onto the adjacent tile is wiped off before it dries, one bottle was enough to complete the job. The Grout Colourant comes in ten different colours and there is also a pack available which includes everything you need. Whilst the grout colourant was drying, I removed the old silicone sealer between the tile and shower tray and replaced with new.

Shower Cubicle After Restoration Chorlton Shower Cubicle After Restoration Chorlton

The transformation was instantaneous and resulted in the shower looking like new, my client was really happy with the improvement.

It’s worth noting that the Tile Doctor Grout Colourant adds a protective barrier over the grout giving it some protection which unlike the grout itself makes it very easy to keep clean. For aftercare I left the client with a bottle of Tile Doctor Aqua Pro which is formulated for the regular cleaning of shower cubicles and will help them to keep the tiles and grout clean.

Shower Cubicle After Restoration Chorlton

 

Professional Restoration of a Ceramic Tiled Shower Cubicle in Manchester

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Limestone Tiled Shower Tile Before After Restoration Manchester

Renovating a Mouldy White Limestone Shower Cubicle in Manchester

I was asked to look at renovating a shower cubicle at a property in in Manchester city centre that had been clad in White Limestone tiles. I understood the bathroom had been installed 12 years prior, but now the tiles were looking grubby, mouldy and dirty.

Limestone Tiled Shower Cubicle Before Mould Removal Manchester City Centre Limestone Tiled Shower Cubicle Before Mould Removal Manchester City Centre

The client had lived at the property for the last two years and in an attempt to resolve the problems had used a few different household products such as flash and bleach, they had tried everything, and nothing had helped. I suspected that these strong acidic cleaners had actually made the problem worse by stripping off what was left of the sealer that was protecting the Limestone, allowing dirt to become ingrained in the stone.

I visited the property and ran a few cleaning tests in the shower cubicle with Tile Doctor products. This allows me to see which product will have the best results and gives the customer confidence that we can resolve their issues. The results were immediate, they could see the difference and they were happy to accept my quote and agree a date for my return to complete the work.

Removing Mould from a White Limestone Tiled Shower Cubicle

I arrived several weeks later and made a start. The tiles were scrubbed by hand with a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go with excellent results. This product is designed to remove coatings and sealers, and in this case, it did a great job of drawing out the ingrained stains and dirt build-up. This removed what was left of the sealer and took off most of the dirt and mould. The Limestone tiles and grout were then rinsed with water to remove the soil.

Next I needed to restore the smooth surface of the limestone which had been etched by the use of strong acidic cleaning products. To do this I used a set of six-inch diamond burnishing pads attached to a hand buffer to hone and restore the stone.

I then dried the shower tiles and grout with a heat gun checking the moisture levels with damp meter until I was satisfied it was completely dry.

Sealing a Limestone Tiled Shower Cubicle

The last step was to re-seal the Limestone and Grout using a couple of coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow. This is natural coloured intensifying sealer which provides durable protection to the surface allowing it to breathe and enhancing the colours.

The Customer was amazed with the difference and left the following feedback!

“Kamila was friendly, professional and kept me informed about what to expect before she took on the job and during the tile cleaning. The tiles look absolutely amazing after her work – I feel as though I have a brand new bathroom! Kamila also gave me helpful tips on looking after limestone tiles. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”

Limestone Tiled Shower Cubicle After Mould Removal Manchester City Centre Limestone Tiled Shower Cubicle After Mould Removal Manchester City Centre

For future cleaning I recommended the use of Tile Doctor Aqua-Pro which is a pH neutral shower tile cleaner designed for use on sealed surfaces. Most cleaning products you find in supermarkets are overly strong and will erode the sealer prematurely, so when choosing a cleaning product always read the label and make sure it’s safe to use on Sealed Stone tiles.

 

Professional Renovation of White Limestone Shower Tiles in Manchester

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Flagstone Tiled Floor Before After Resurfacing Oldham

Resurfacing Dirty Flagstone Flooring in an Oldham Kitchen

A customer from Oldham contacted us looking for a solution to their very dirty flagstone kitchen floor. They hadn’t lived in the property long and it seems the previous owner had neglected it completely. They had contacted several different stone restoration companies and had received varying advice and quotes that ranged from £500 to £3000. Some companies had said it was a lost cause and others recommended sandblasting. They hired one firm to do the work and were disappointed with the result, as I would have been given the photographs on this page. They had nearly given up but after finding us on-line decided to have one last attempt at having it renovated.

Flagstone Kitchen Floor Before Cleaning Oldham Flagstone Kitchen Floor Before Cleaning Oldham

I went over to inspect the flagstones and recommended a process we call milling which has proved to be very effective in resurfacing stone floors in the past. It uses very coarse diamond encrusted floor pads which grind away the top layer of stone and unlike sand blasting doesn’t make a huge mess. I ran a small test whilst I was at the property and it was immediately obvious this solution would be effective. Another advantage of milling the floor in this way was that the stone would end up being smooth to the touch and not rough as before.

Flagstone Kitchen Floor Before Cleaning Oldham

It was a large job so I asked my neighbouring Tile Doctor Russell Taylor from North Lancaster Tile Doctor to work with me on the floor for the first day, this would ensure my customer wouldn’t be overly inconvenienced and without the use of their kitchen for a long time.

Resurfacing a Flagstone Kitchen Floor in Oldham

On the first day the kitchen was prepped which included removing the kickboards underneath the units for better access. Once this was done the milling process began using a 50-grit DRB milling pad followed by 100-grit DRB and 200-grit DRB pads. The pads are fitted to a weighted floor buffer and run over the floor using water to lubricate the process. After each pad the floor is rinsed with water and the slurry removed with a wet vacuum.

Flagstone Kitchen Floor During Cleaning Oldham Flagstone Kitchen Floor During Cleaning Oldham

After the first day it was clear the floor was rapidly improving, the customer emailed me that evening thanking me for the improvement, and we weren’t even finished yet.

“Ahh fabulous. Honestly, we can’t thank you enough for the work you’ve done. We are completely over the moon with it – thank you so much 🙂 “

Flagstone Kitchen Floor During Cleaning Oldham

I returned the following day to further improve and smooth the flagstone surface with softer pads of 200 and 400-grit. Again, the floor was rinsed with water and then the soil extracted with a wet vacuum.

On day three an area of damaged grout was cut out using an angle grinder and then repointed with a matching flexible grout. Using a light grey grout complemented the renovation of the floor.

Flagstone Kitchen Floor During Grout Removal Oldham

Sealing a Flagstone Tiled Kitchen Floor

For the sealer to cure effectively the stone floor needs to be bone dry so before sealing we always take several moisture readings with a damp meter before applying a sealer. In most cases we can seal the next day however when dealing with old floors that don’t have a damp-proof membrane under the floor you can never be sure.

Unfortunately, there was too much moisture in some of the floor when I returned the following day, so I left it for another day. Fortunately, by day five the moisture readings had settled and so I proceeded to seal the whole floor with two coats of Tile Doctor Ultra-Seal which is a penetrating sealer that works by occupying the pores in the stone so dirt cannot become ingrained there. Ultra-Seal doesn’t change the look of the stone leaving it with a very natural appearance.

Flagstone Kitchen Floor After Sealing Oldham Flagstone Kitchen Floor After Sealing Oldham

The pictures speak for themselves and the customer who finally has the floor they wanted was over the moon with the result!

Flagstone Kitchen Floor After Sealing Oldham

 

Professional Restoration of a Flagstone Tiled Kitchen in Greater Manchester

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Ceramic Tile Grout Bathroom Before and After Grout Colouring Manchester

Bathroom Tile and Grout Refresh in Manchester City Rental Apartment

A client with a high-rise apartment in Manchester city centre contacted us in relation to the look of their bathroom tiles. The grout had become grubby and black with mould and it was clear from their message that they were considering have the grout replaced in order to freshen up the bathroom.

We discussed the problem over the telephone, and they emailed a picture of the bathroom across so I could get a better idea of what needed doing. It turns out that the apartment had been rented out previously and they needed the bathroom renovating so they could start letting it again. Clearly, they were keen to have the work completed as soon as possible. Fortunately, we are sometimes able to come out on short notice, especially for small jobs like this and so were able to do the work the following week

Manchester Rental Apartment Bathroom Before Grout Colouring

Re-grouting is a lot of work and very time consuming so I explained the benefits of Grout Colouring which is much quicker and results in a more practical finish as I will explain. There was a small issue with parking as one would expect from the city centre, but we were able to use one of the parking spaces of a neighbour in the basement of the building.

Cleaning the Grout and Tiles in a Ceramic Tiled Bathroom

My first task was to get the grout as clean as possible before applying the colourant and given the amount of mould I decided to apply Tile Doctor Duo-Clean which is a Tile Cleaner/Mould Remover and ideal for use on ceramic tile and grout. The product was sprayed onto the tiles and grout and then scrubbed in by hand to get the grout as clean as possible. I also used a powerful steam cleaner to get the grout as clean as possible before rinsing the soil off with water. This process went well, and the grout looked much cleaner afterwards but was now a little patchy in places due to deep staining.

It’s worth noting that mould thrives in damp warm conditions and can easily be controlled by ensuring the bathroom has adequate ventilation. Some modern showers have a function that cool the bathroom down after use by running the shower on a cold setting. Improving cross-ventilation by leaving the bathroom door and a window open can also improve the situation and of course you can always apply Tile Doctor Duo-Clean on a regular basis.

Recolouring Grout in a Ceramic Tiled Bathroom

Once the grout was dry and as clean as it could be, I applied a White Tile Doctor Grout Colourant along the grout lines with a small brush taking care to wipe off any excess from the tiles as I went. Only one bottle of colourant was needed, and I have found baby wipes work well when wiping off the excess.

The last step in the bathroom renovation was to strip out all the old mouldy silicone between the bath and the tiles and replace with new mould resistant silicone.

The cleaning and grout colour completely transformed the look of the bathroom leaving it looking fresh. The grout which was previously dark and patchy was now a consistent white colour giving the impression it had only been recently tiled. The colourant also forms an epoxy barrier over the grout that will prevent dirt from becoming ingrained in the grouts surface going forward, it’s also much easier to clean.

Manchester Rental Apartment Bathroom After Grout Colouring

The customer was most impressed with the result and has informed us since that they will back in touch about renovating the grout in their own home! They left the following comment on the Tile Doctor website.

“Kamila made a wonderful job cleaning my grout and silicone. The bathroom looks like new. She was also easy to deal, very friendly and professional. Thank you!”

 

Professional Bathroom Tile and Grout Refresh in Manchester Apartment

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Varnished Marble Tiled Floor Grout Before After Renovation Oldham

Chequered Marble Tiled Porch Renovation in Oldham

Our client contacted us after they moved into a house built circa early 1900 with many Victorian era features. One of them was lovely tiled floor in their porch which consisted of a chequered pattern of Black and White Marble tiles. The white tiles were especially grubby and in need of a deep clean. Being a fan of period features they were keen to see if the tiles could be renovated back to their former glory.

The property was in Oldham, which is approximately 7 miles to the north east of Manchester near to Rochdale and well known for its history in the textile industry. We conducted a test on the tiles which worked well, and we were confident the whole floor could be significantly improved. The client was satisfied, we agreed a price and the job was booked in.

Marble Tiled Victorian Porch Before Restoration Oldham Marble Tiled Victorian Porch Before Restoration Oldham

Cleaning/Repairing a Marble Tiled Hallway Floor

Initially, to clean the floor we used Tile Doctor Remove and Go which was applied to the floor and left to soak into the tile and soften the dirt. This was followed up by scrubbing the product into the floor with a coarse black pad fitted to a rotary machine. The machine scrubbing really gets into the dirty areas and the grout lines. During the work we discovered that two of the tiles were loose, so they had to be removed, cleaned up and then re-secured using a flexible tile adhesive.

Being Tile Doctors, we are trained in all thing tile and so unlike regular cleaning businesses we are happy to carry out repairs along side the cleaning process. It also means we have a deeper understanding of the materials we are working with which enables us to complete the job to the highest standard.

Marble Tiled Victorian Porch During Restoration Oldham Marble Tiled Victorian Porch During Restoration Oldham

We left site for a short while and then returned to carry out the sealing process which would protect them from dirt and stains going forward. It was a relatively small area and so it wasn’t long before the tiles were dry, and the new adhesive had set.

Sealing a Marble Tiled Hallway Floor

The floor was sealed with two coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow, which is an impregnating breathable sealer that will cope will with the damp environment and the elements that the floor would be subjected to in an external location. This product also enhances the black and white contrast in the tiles improving the overall look of the floor.

Marble Tiled Victorian Porch After Restoration Oldham

I think you will agree the pictures speak for themselves. It is lovely when you can get an old floor back to looking how it was when it was laid originally. The customer was astonished with the result and left the comment below.

Kamila from STOCKPORT was excellent. Did a wonderful job of refurbishing the Victorian tiles in our porch, was quick efficient and very accommodating to our timetables
Yvonne L, Oldham

Marble Tiled Victorian Porch After Restoration Oldham Marble Tiled Victorian Porch After Restoration Oldham

 

Professional Cleaning of a Marble Tiled Porch in Greater Manchester

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Terrazzo Kitchen Tile Floor Before After Cleaning Manchester

Deep Cleaning Grubby Terrazzo Kitchen Tiles at Manchester Apartment

I recently visited a customer with a grubby Terrazzo tiled kitchen floor who lived in the Skyline Apartments in the centre of Manchester. Billed as luxury accommodation the building has a Gym and apparently a 20-metre swimming pool on the roof. The floor in the Kitchen was around 6m square and my customer originally thought the tiles were Limestone, but I was able to confirm they were Terrazzo, not that it mattered from my point of view as the cleaning process would be the same.

Terrazzo Kitchen Floor Before Cleaning Skyline Apartments Manchester

The previous owner of the apartment had never maintained the floor properly, so my customer inherited a very grubby Terrazzo floor and had tried getting rid of the dirt without much success. After running a few tests, I could see that that any protective sealer had long since failed and dirt was now ingrained in the pores of the tile. The tiles would now need to be burnished to restore the appearance and then sealed to protect it from ingrained dirt going forward.

Cleaning and Polishing a Terrazzo Tiled Floor

To get the floor clean and ensure what was left of the old sealer was removed I scrubbed a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go into the tiles. This product works best if you leave it to dwell on the tile for around ten minutes before working it in. Afterwards the soiled product was removed using a wet vacuum which makes light work of extracting liquids from hard floors.

To burnish the Terrazzo, I used a set of Tile Doctor Burnishing pads which are applied to the floor using a rotary floor buffer running a slow speed in sequence from coarse to very fine. Lubricated with water this process uses a coarse pad to cut back through the tile to remove marks and ingrained dirt. This is followed by the medium and fine pads rinsing the floor with water in between each pad and extracting the soil with a wet vacuum. The last pad which is a 3000-grit very fine pad is applied dry to the floor with only a little water sprayed onto the tile using a process we call a spray burnish.

Being a kitchen there were a few deep stains in the floor which I was able to spot treat with Tile Doctor Reduxa which is an interesting product that is absorbed into the floor and then when heat is applied it evaporates lifting the stain out with it.

Terrazzo Kitchen Floor After Cleaning Reduxa Skyline Apartments Manchester

Sealing a Terrazzo Tiled Kitchen Floor

To seal the Terrazzo, I used two coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which as the name suggest is a colour enhancing sealer. The product works by soaking into the tile occupying the pores so dirt cannot become ingrained there. It added a lovely finish to the Terrazzo, enhancing its appearance and will make the floor much easier to keep clean going forward.

Terrazzo Kitchen Floor After Cleaning Skyline Apartments Manchester

The completed floor now looks clean and fresh and an amazing transformation considering how dirty the floor looked when I first arrived. My customer was very pleased with the improvement and left the following short comment on the Tile Doctor feedback system.

Kamila is the best!! great job.

Terrazzo Kitchen Floor After Cleaning Closeup Skyline Apartments Manchester

 

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