Keeping a 1955 tiled floor

[currie]

I have a 1955 tiled floor which has been protected by various rugs for all of it's 57 years. It has one small area of damage where two tiles have been broken as the concrete below has cracked. Also there is no grout between the tiles, maybe they've shrunk over the years but there are now spaces between them of mostly 1 or 2 mm, some gaps are wider than this.

What can be done about repairing the broken area and possible grouting of the whole floor. These are dark brown Marley tiles, not vinyl, but now brittle with age !

What could the surface be cleaned with to remove paint splashes etc ?

Help with this would be very much appriciated.

 

[Gazzer]

Marley tiles were always brittle. When they were 1st laid they would have be heated up on a gas hot plate and then laid on the adhesive. As soon as they cooled they would be hard and brittle once again.
I have never grouted Marley tiles so cant really advise but beware that if you remove them , they do contain asbestos.

 

[currie]

Ah, thanks, but I really don't want to remove them. It's a large area and it's all in good condition but for the one place, at a doorway. What I need is some kind of compound that I can fill in the broken area with, which can be coloured to match in. Maybe grout's not the answer ?

 

[Robb o]

In the next few weeks I'am going on a training course for repairing damaged vennered doors,UPVC,stone ,brick and ceramics.
I can ask when I book if these type of tiles can be repaired if it will help.

 

[currie]

That's great - thanks very much. I look forward to hearing more.

 

[currie]

Would you think that the Marley tiles could be reheated now after 50 odd years and become flexible again, maybe with a blowtorch ? Just enough to have them take up the contours of the broken concrete below ?

What about a glass fibre filler to patch up the broken section, ie Isopon ? Just a thought as this could be painted to match in ?