stone floor cleaning

[stone tiler]

Hi Guys

I'm looking for a bit of advice regarding the best scrubber/cleaning machine for stone tiled floors.
I've just finished tiling a travertine floor at a clients house and she has asked me if I could clean 2 existing floors in other rooms. 1 is 70 mt black riven slate, sealed with lithofin slate seal (client thinks) and the other floor is a 55 mt pillowed edge limestone floor with some small pitting to the surface (not sure on sealer). Both floors are dirty due to kids/dogs/spillages/normal living conditions.
I've done some manual cleaning before but not on floors of this size. I'm assuming the best way will be to hire a scrubber but having never used one before I'm looking for your advice.How hard are they to use?What scrubbers do you guys use?Are there any tricks to doing it?
Also was going to use a lithofin dirt remover (maybe wexa) unless anyone can recommend something better?
Thanks in advance

 

[stone tiler]

Admin - please move this post to the cleaning and restoration section. thanks

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Moved as requested Monkey1

 

[SquareEyes]

Hi monkey

Did you get any replies from your post? I'm sort of in the same situation now myself and those cleaning machines look like they cost a fortune!

Any info would be great if you wouldnt mind sharing it with us!

Thanks

Joe

Hi Guys

I'm looking for a bit of advice regarding the best scrubber/cleaning machine for stone tiled floors.
I've just finished tiling a travertine floor at a clients house and she has asked me if I could clean 2 existing floors in other rooms. 1 is 70 mt black riven slate, sealed with lithofin slate seal (client thinks) and the other floor is a 55 mt pillowed edge limestone floor with some small pitting to the surface (not sure on sealer). Both floors are dirty due to kids/dogs/spillages/normal living conditions.
I've done some manual cleaning before but not on floors of this size. I'm assuming the best way will be to hire a scrubber but having never used one before I'm looking for your advice.How hard are they to use?What scrubbers do you guys use?Are there any tricks to doing it?
Also was going to use a lithofin dirt remover (maybe wexa) unless anyone can recommend something better?
Thanks in advance

 

[Marble Life Ltd]

Hi Guys
I'm looking for a bit of advice regarding the best scrubber/cleaning machine for stone tiled floors.
I've just finished tiling a travertine floor at a clients house and she has asked me if I could clean 2 existing floors in other rooms. 1 is 70 mt black riven slate, sealed with lithofin slate seal (client thinks) and the other floor is a 55 mt pillowed edge limestone floor with some small pitting to the surface (not sure on sealer). Both floors are dirty due to kids/dogs/spillages/normal living conditions.
I've done some manual cleaning before but not on floors of this size. I'm assuming the best way will be to hire a scrubber but having never used one before I'm looking for your advice.How hard are they to use?What scrubbers do you guys use?Are there any tricks to doing it?
Also was going to use a lithofin dirt remover (maybe wexa) unless anyone can recommend something better?
Thanks in advance

Both floors will need to be stripped back to the stone. The pitting is the stone rejecting the sealer. You will need a rotary scrubber machine with a soft to medium brush fitted and a good quality wet vacuum. Apply Sealing & Coating Remover to the floor in small sections making sure you mask off really well as the sealing & coating remover will strip any paint it comes into contact with so doors, skirting, kitchen units need to be really well masked. Then rinse each section with a pH neutral cleaner and finally rinse whole floor again and allow to dry for at least 24 but preferably 48 hours. Then re seal with new sealer when fully dry. Make sure the sealer is MVT (Breathable) and water based. HSS will hire you a scrubber and a wet Vac! Make sure the scrubber comes with a decent brush and a tank.

Kevin
MLL

 

[Mathewleo]

This you can use. 1 rotary floor machine w/ pad driver, 2 cases of 17" red pads, 2 cases of 17" white pads, 3 microfiber bonnets, 1 union mix 17" scrub brush, 1 case of cleaner, 1 solution tank & 1 case of polish

 

[Topshop]

Similar to what Mathewleo said You could also use a tampico brush or other kind of brush on your rotary (Mono) machine to scrub the floor with a stone soap and a shop vac or other extractor to pick up the water/solution.

 

[Mathewleo]

Yeah that can also do.

 

[PeteC]

I would definitely recommend the sealing. I didn't on mine originally and now wish i did. <link removed from first post>

 

[Dan]

I've removed your link. Please contribute to the forum before linking like that. Thanks.

 

[peter martin]

Can anyone reccomend a cleaning machine and accessories available in the UK? My limestone is in a right state, and i have been waiting for SIX MONTHS for two tylers to turn up!

 

[peter martin]

Can anyone reccomend a cleaning machine and accessories available in the UK? My limestone is in a right state, and i have been waiting for SIX MONTHS for two tylers to turn up!

 

[MARBLE_TONY]

There is a great pro restoration guy in south wales 029 2088 8805

 

[peter martin]

Thanks Marble Tony, I have some time on my hands at the moment so i would like to attempt this myself (Then call in a proffessional!)