Edwardian Fireplace tiles

[ealinghouse]

Couple of questions I could do with some help on please all.

How do I know if they are porcelain or ceramic
They are glazed, and all the glaze is cracked.

I need to:
1. remove the grout - the channels are about a mm wide, so am I best using a stanley blade to dig out, any suggestions please?

2. give them all a good clean, which is the best product once I know if they are porc/cer?

Thanks
Ade

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Ade - They are ceramic!

Porcelain is an extrmely high fired material that is the same colour all the way through the tile to the surface - can then be left honed or polished.
Ceramic is a mix of clays in either red/white that form a biscuit and then have a glaze put on the surface and kiln fired, often twice.
The crazing of the glaze is a inherent feature of ceramic tiles and will be found in those of a certain age!
OK with a blade to clean the joint - careful not to chip edges.
To clean will depend on whats on the surface. You will have to be careful with the crazing effect as it will crackle when damp and possibly get worse. Don't use any coloured cleaners as they may stain the cracks!
Apart from the proprietry cleaners like HG products IMO I would try White Cif on a discreet corner first. Works in my shower everytime on Joint and hand made French glazed tiles

Timeless John.