Sealing Victorian quarry tiles

[ataylor]

Hi everyone
I did as suggested and bought fairly clean reclaimed Victorian quarries for my porch and utility area. I have done quite a lot of research on how to seal them but there seems to be quite a few different suggestions. I want a matt finish but I think they need to be sealed as we have two large dogs and the floor will need to be easily cleaned. Also one of the dogs is a messy drinker and dribbles water whilst drinking from his water bowl.

I am quite apprehensive about the sealing process as years ago I bought some hand made tiles from Fired Earth for our conservatory and followed the instructions meticulously sealing before laying them then several times after. They have never resisted water and as I have plants in there they are now badly marked with rings and spots. Water has to be got off them immediately otherwise they stain!

If any helpful person can give me some advice it would be much appreciated.
Annette

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Annette - if the Victorian tiles are only fairly clean, then you are going to seal in any marks that are on them.
Whichever seal you use make sure none stays on the surface after 10 minutes otherwise it attracts dirt, but put on as many coats as required.
On the hand made tiles the sealant may be ready for more coats and if terracotta boiled linseed oil may be your best product.

 

[Perry]

Water will always mark tiles if left even if sealed always salt in water would need to put water bowls on a mat if you are talking about terracotta tiles from fired earth that can be resolved where about are you not in your profile you may get more help if people know where you are : Pete

 

[afright]

If the quarries have been used before then it,s not worth sealing them as over the year,s they would have had a lot of dirt and grime on the the tile,s in my opinion just keep them clean with soapy water if you still do need to seal them use boiled linseed mixed 50/50 with white spirit,s I have laid hundred,s of yard,s of quarries and only use this linseed mixture to seal them.do not use raw linseed oil as this stay,s more tacky.

 

[ataylor]

Annette - if the Victorian tiles are only fairly clean, then you are going to seal in any marks that are on them.
Whichever seal you use make sure none stays on the surface after 10 minutes otherwise it attracts dirt, but put on as many coats as required.
On the hand made tiles the sealant may be ready for more coats and if terracotta boiled linseed oil may be your best product.

Thank you for your reply John.
The Fired Earth tiles were wire cut and stained after sealing almost immediately even though I followed manufacturers instructions. It was a long time ago but I think I used boiled linseed and white spirit and stopped applying when the tiles weren't absorbing the sealant. Perhaps because they were laid in a conservatory they needed further sealing within a short space of time?

We have tried several ways to try to remove water marks but to no avail. Such a pity as they do look good. It has come to the point where I can't bring myself to try cleaning them again! Any suggestions?

I don't want to have the same problem with the quarry tiles in the porch, that is why I thought I would ask the forum.

Annette

 

[ataylor]

Water will always mark tiles if left even if sealed always salt in water would need to put water bowls on a mat if you are talking about terracotta tiles from fired earth that can be resolved where about are you not in your profile you may get more help if people know where you are : Pete

Thank you for your reply Pete.

Concerning the terracotta tiles from Fired Earth these are 'wire cut' and I could post a photo. I'm in Newark Notts which I have now added to my profile.

 

[ataylor]

If the quarries have been used before then it,s not worth sealing them as over the year,s they would have had a lot of dirt and grime on the the tile,s in my opinion just keep them clean with soapy water if you still do need to seal them use boiled linseed mixed 50/50 with white spirit,s I have laid hundred,s of yard,s of quarries and only use this linseed mixture to seal them.do not use raw linseed oil as this stay,s more tacky.

Thank you for reply. I have used boiled linseed oil and white spirit before on the 'wire cut' Fired Earth tiles in my conservatory. Although I followed instructions to the letter they have never been resistant to water even after a short time after laying. I am starting to think that they needed further sealing quite quickly after initial sealing.

Just don't want to have the same problem with the Victorian quarries!!

 

[Perry]

Wire cut as in machine made terracotta ? I haven't used there tiles for years they only used to use one wire cut terracotta in two colors but that was a pre sealed caterlan pavor ? Yes a picture would help

 

[Perry]

Regarding the tiles If you grout the tiles first keep them as clean as you can after a few days when nice and dry put a thin coat off the oil and sprit with a sponge in a small area wipe off straight away make sure you don't leave any streaks buff any marks still on them but will stay on them but this will hide it a little but dispose of the sponges and cloths by burning them straight after you Finnish as they will spontaneous combust