saltillo tile sealer prior to laying

[James Spelrem]

many people went away from hardwood because it was high maintenance covered with rug. in todays age most people have very busy lives and don't have time to maintane they want it to look good and stay looking good linseed is a wack load of maintenace. don't get me wrong there are some real garbage sealers on the market (latex)mostley santec wetlook looks cheap in my opion. no matter what there is maintenace but do you want to do this weekley/monthley,semianually or annually depending on traffic

 

[Terry Cottar]

many people went away from hardwood because it was high maintenance covered with rug. in todays age most people have very busy lives and don't have time to maintane they want it to look good and stay looking good linseed is a wack load of maintenace. don't get me wrong there are some real garbage sealers on the market (latex)mostley santec wetlook looks cheap in my opion. no matter what there is maintenace but do you want to do this weekley/monthley,semianually or annually depending on traffic

there is going to be maint whatever way he goes hes got em in his kitchen as well

tel

 

[rackend]

Hello,

Thanks for all the responses. I am getting a pro in. I have rebuilt the house from top to bottom on my own but I am a slow worker and everything takes ages when doing it alone. I have bought the tiles, adhesive, and grout and knew what I was getting into before I went this way.

I am trying to re-introduce some character into the place and terracotta would go some way to enhancing the feel of the place. The tiles will set the tone for all the other finishes and furnishings so I would like it to be done right.

I am aware that lindseed oil and wax have to be done properly and such a treated floor requires regular maintenance but am not sure how regular and what kind of maintenance. Would I need to have a floor polisher in the house? I don't know what one would do if stuff was spilt on such a surface.

The shop I bought the tiles from has one square metre of these tiles laid right in front of the door and they receive a lot of traffic and yes, the pattena is what I was attracted to, but they work on that floor weekly because it is their show room.

I am in Oxfordshire and tilers here seem to prefer using acrylic sealers/polishes as they are always called back. Fortunately, two people I have contacted are going to treat several tiles so I can see the affect.

Thanks,

Rackend

 

[Terry Cottar]

purrfick solution

tel

 

[Time's Ran Out]

rackend - Just an update!

As Davy G said -'I feel a poll coming on' and that sums it up!
Everyone has their own opinion and in the end its up to you. But from your later posts it would seem as though character is the look your after!
I don't know the product that James Spelrem is talking about and he's right that are some poor sealers around but even if we are in the 21st century not everything is progress.
If its prepared and fixed correctly ( look at previous terracotta work they've done) you should have no maintenance for the first 3 months, then a monthly polish ( electrolux 3 brush polisher - like a hoover- about £180) just to buff up the floor.
The linseed oil will collect dirt if you leave excess on at the fixing stage and I dealt with that in my original reply, however if the polish is applied right and buffed to a shine, once hard it protects the tiles and a soft brush and damp cloth to remove dirt is all that required .
So from an old school 21st century man I bid you farewell!

Timeless John.

 

[James Spelrem]

Don't get me wrong timeless John Have worked with linseed oil I have just found that people don't maintane as well as they should I have found over time linseed oil is a soft finish needing close attention. all sealers are not bullet proof. all need maintenace just less often with petrolium based sealer which the one down fall IT TAKES SO LONG TO CURE. I really liked the dicussion timeless john your a man of great mind.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

James - I'am just a tiler with 35 years experience!

10-15 years ago terracotta was very popular in the UK and I spent a lot of time through my local tile distributor making site visits to inspect 'problem' jobs - always associated with sealing and grouting.
Ultimately these disasters (along with fashion trends) ruined the market for this fantastic product and so its great that someone is again trying to revive the look.
I would be the first to agree that maintenance is an issue with this material but IMO the advantages of terracotta - done properley - make it a material of character and distinction!

Type to you soon.

John.

PS. Rackend - keep in touch - pictures please.