Tile cleaning question

[jgw1]

Hi all,

I have just moved into a new place which has a small conservatory. The previous owner has moved out and revealed a large amount of white residue on the tiles (see attached pictures). I'd like to get a recommended tile cleaner for what I assume is limescale but I am not sure on what the type of tiles are and therefore what to get.

There is also a terracotta (?) shelf to be cleaned (in pictures). So it would be great if the cleaner could be used for this too.

I'd like to add a sealer or protector after cleaning them so that I really bring up the colour of the floor. So any idead for that too would be useful.

 

[bugs183]

It looks like the tiles have been getting damp. Di the previous owners have house plants in the room? They may have been spilling water when they water the plants, i wouldn't have thought it would be from condensation off the plants.
Go on the internet and look for HG Extra, that should shift the residue.
After that i would suggest a small bottle of Fila Filfob,to impregnate the tiles from within, the Fila Satin Wax to protect the surface and give the floor a slight sheen. Then you can add the Fila satin to the water when ytou mop at a later date, and that maintains the floor as you mop.

 

[Mike Mike]

That looks like lime seeping through from the cement in the adhesive used to lay them (and the brickwork in the conservatory wall). I bet there's no DPM under those tiles or under the screed. http://www.gbybrick.com/pdf/lime.pdf

 

[White Room]

Check that the ground outside is not up against the wall spanning the damp course....

 

[kilty55]

as above either plants have been there and watered or that extrnal walls outiside is raised to high

 

[jgw1]

Hi all,

Yes the previous owner had a lot of plants in there and the white marks are where her plants were. I'll check on the damp proof though. However we had a full structural survey when we bought the place so not so worried about that.

 

[bugs183]

Lets hope that the answer then!!!

 

[jgw1]

So I got the recommended products, cleaner, impregnator and wax. The impregnator (Fila fob oil) and it says do not use on waxed surfaces (presumably as the product won't impregnate). Is there a way to test if a surface is already waxed or will the cleaner (HG Extra) remove any wax already applied?

 

[jgw1]

Right o. Big problem here now. I used HG Extra and followed the instructions. The tiles are still cloudy but the white marks are mush less structured (like from a plant pot on the floor) and much more like a general cloudy look (see pics).

What I really need is some guidance on what to try next? Efflorescence cleaner? I looked at the survey and it did mention that the floor and brickwork had higher damp readings that higher brickwork. So I may have a larger problem!

 

[bugs183]

It may all still be ok, as if they had been spilling water or water was dripping from the plant pots then the readings would read higher, as the floor is still wet, it should dry out but may take some time.
I wouldn't go too mad with new cleaners yet, you've used extra and that should have helped the marks come out, i'd say mop the floor gently for a few weeks and see if it removes the cloudyness.

 

[Perry]

you look like you have a damp problem with your walls temp measure buy some brick acid and follow the instructions on the bottle on one tile out of the way and if you put the area you are from you never know someone may help if they are local

 

[jgw1]

Am in Surrey, Walton.

Isn't brick acid going to do the same job as the HG Extra. And that didn't work.

The HG Extra did cause some fizzing - so it was reacting with something. But the tiles have a white cloudy haze from the HG EXtra now. Not all of them do the cloudy tiles are still those that had the original marks. What else could be causing this?

If the problem is with damp in the walls who do you call, surveyor? builder? specialist?

 

[Perry]

try the brick acid if it doesn't work save it for descaling your kettle wont cost more than a fiver

 

[jgw1]

I still have this problem. The brick acid did not touch the white staining/finish.

I am bereft of ideas now - anyone?

Also is there anyone on here that covers the Walton area. I can't afford to get any work done at the moment but would be interested in getting the work done sometime in the autumn.