A terracotta nightmare

[Time's Ran Out]

How big an area are we talking or can you count the number of tiles like the ones shown!
Apart from the hyrochloric acid what other sealants/waxes/stains have been put on the tiles and when was the floor originally laid.

 

[tiletrouble]

I think the tiles are laid on a concrete base - they have been down for some 20 years now.

Water has been switched off for over 5 months, heating on in the two rooms affected, dehumidifier we in there for approx 3 weeks at the start - they whole thing feels quite dry now.

After cleaning the tiles off last year I used a "terracotta tile sealant" (can't remember which one now) - the floor area is about 4m x 3m.


Thanks.

 

[Terry Cottar]

I think the tiles are laid on a concrete base - they have been down for some 20 years now.

Water has been switched off for over 5 months, heating on in the two rooms affected, dehumidifier we in there for approx 3 weeks at the start - they whole thing feels quite dry now.

After cleaning the tiles off last year I used a "terracotta tile sealant" (can't remember which one now) - the floor area is about 4m x 3m.


Thanks.

Right whatever you do don't put any more water or cleaners on it for the moment because water or cleaners will exacerbate the problem. If you are sure you have stopped the water at source try and scrape off as much excess as you can with a 2" flexible scraper. If that is not stiff enough you may need to use a 4" Rigid Razor Scraper (Dave the Administrator Knows the one I mean and can probably post a link) Be careful though and make sure you are wearing good quality gloves when you are scraping with these. Then when you have the majority off you can try a really stiff DRY scrubbing brush to see if you can remove any more. Once you have the excess off my advice would be to leave it for a week to see if there is any reoccurence. If there is not try cleaning it with a Aqua Mix Eff-Ex and an emulsifying pad this product does two things: Firstly it will clean the last of the salt off but secondly and more importantly once you have done this clean it off with some tissue paper and apply another coat and leave it to dry because that coat will penetrate and form a barrier sub surface to help prevent reoccurence. Do not be alarmed if a couple of days later you see it covered in white salts again simply brush it off or scrape it off and reapply the Eff Ex. Then repeat by scraping off any dry salts and leve it to see what happens. I did a job like this in Aylesbury in Buckinhamshire three years ago and the efflorescence was like your but over the whole 25M2 It took 9 applications over 18 months but it eventually stopped. So be patient!

tel

 

[tiletrouble]

Thanks, Tel - that is great help and advice - I shall get stuck into cleaning off over the weekend.

A link to the scrapers and to the Eff-Ex would be very helpful.

 

[Terry Cottar]

Thanks, Tel - that is great help and advice - I shall get stuck into cleaning off over the weekend.

A link to the scrapers and to the Eff-Ex would be very helpful.

You can get all those products off Dave at Tradetiler.com Home or put aqua mix into e bay there is a company on there as well.

tel

 

[DHTiling]

This is the Gunlach scraper..


Gundlach 100 mm Scraper


This has to be one of my most favourite tools. Do not confuse it with the £1.99 market stall equivalents

100 mm wide blade, 300 mm overall length

Heavy duty cast alloy head

Made in the USA

Perfect for scraping and shaving off bumpy plaster or cleaning the back of tiles with old adhesive on.

Use for stripping up old vinyl tiles and cushion flooring

Insert between tiles to lever them apart (inserting spacers) with ZERO risk of chipping

Great for removing factory wax from wall tiles etc

Quality high grip Silicon rubber handle. made in the USA

A must have tool..

Personaly i would clean the salts off with the above scraper and a stiff bristled scrubbing brush and a quick clean with above product mentioned by Tel.. then leave it... do not wet it anymore..the floor needs to dry and whilst it dries the salts will continue to rise to the surface.

Eventually the effloresence will cease.. then you can start to renovate the surface.

 

[tiletrouble]

Thanks, Dave - have already taken a look at it and will be getting this and the other stuff ordered over the next day or so.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help all - I really thought I was facing a re-flooring job and this lady isn't quite up to that!