Best way to clean 50s tiles of grout / levelling compound

[marijnkapmf]

Hello,

We've discovered I think terracotta tiles underneath a vinyl floor in our kitchen. I'm able to remove the vinyl tiles using a chisel, but there is a residue of grout and/or levelling compound left on the tiles. The stuff will come off eventually with loads of hard scrubbing, but I was hoping that there would be a way of speeding up the process. Is there anything that will make the clean-up quicker? I've tried soapy water, white spirit and cream cleaner, but they all seem to require the same amount of scrubbing. All suggestions are welcome!

I've included a photograph below.



Cheers,

Marijn.

 

[DHTiling]

Hello and welcome..

Quarry tiles.. Use some brick acid... dilute to try first and then increase strength till you get a solution ratio that cleans them.. Use a scrubbing brush as well.. they should come up clean.

 

[Gall.B]

There are lots of tiling cleaning and restoration products on the market to help you, I personally stick to Lithofin or Hagesan but there areother brands available, plenty of hard graft involved sorry but will be worth it! make sure your well protected tho gloves masks ventilate the room etc most stuff is pretty pungent and harmfull best to do when kids arent in house.

Any of the tiles damadged or loose?

 

[marijnkapmf]

Thanks for the info. To answer the question, there are some broken bricks.

The brick acid seems to be making the cleaning easier. I don't know whether it also get the black stuff off, as I haven't tried that yet. Should I be sealing the floor afterwards or treat it with something?

 

[Time's Ran Out]

It may be a daft question - but is it worth saving those tiles?

 

[marijnkapmf]

My wife and I like them, so for us that would be a yes.

 

[marijnkapmf]

Just wanted to thank every one for their advice, after hours and hours of hard work chiselling and scraping with brick acid we've now got a nice kitchen floor again!


Some more pictures can be found on: Pictures | 20110613-30 Kitchen | Photos by digii.eu

 

[Tabby Cranks]

And looking at the finished results, all your hard work has paid off.

 

[Marble Life Ltd]

You will be able to improve those even further by enhancing the new ones and then either sealing with a topical sealer or antique waxing them

Kevin

 

[DHTiling]

A big difference to what they were...

I agree with Kev.. you can finish those of nicely with appropriate product..