Welcome To Quality Tile Care 

We are your local Victorian Tile Floor Cleaning, Restoration and Sealing Specialists

There are many methods to clean Victorian Tiles, we have mastered all of them and combined them all together to get the best possible results!

• For removing old sealers and cleaning heavily soiled areas we use the high-alkaline Cleaners and sealer strippers on the market. Products will be left to dwell in and then scrubbed with a strong scrubbing pad fitted to the rotary machine. After scrubbing, all soiled chemical water will be removed with a wet vacuum and then rinsed many times with clean water.
• To clean ingrained dirt and bring out the original colours, we use diamond burnishing pads. Standart procedure is using 200 grit pad and if needed we will go down to 100 grit. For burnishing the floor with the burnishing pad fitted to the rotary machine we use water as a lubricant, that way no dust will be created as all dirt will be in soiled water. All areas where our buffer won't get will be cleaned with hand diamond blocks to leave a nice and even finish. This cleaning method can also be used in enviroments where chemicals can't be used.
• For carpet underlay and glue cleaning we use the best HBU Gels/Cleaners. HBU refers to Heavy Build Up. Gel formula can be left on for longer to dwell in without drying out. If covered it can be left on for hours. And if the HBU won't do the trick then combining it with a steamer always works. After scrubbing all soiled water will be removed with a wet vacuum. When using HBU Cleaners it is very important to neautralise the area by rinsing it several times with clean water.
• If Victorian tiles have cement, plaster or grout haze on them then they will be removed with a strong mix of our Acid based cleaner. Cleaning process is the same as stated above with other methods. For removing thicker parts we also have a gel formula of the acid cleaner, this can be left on for longer to break down grout haze, cement etc.

After cleaning it is extremely important to do another wash with an acidic cleaner. This will clear possible salt issues oxidising to the surface of the tile leaving white marks known as "efflorescence". Acid clean needs to be followed up by removing all the chemicals and soiled water with a wet vax and then rinsing the Victorian floor again with clean water. Gel formula is preferred for this process when tiles are very porous.

Whenthis process is finished it is important to leave the floor to dry for 1-5 days, depending on the floor conditions.

It is extremely important to seal your Victorian floor tiles, because sealer acts as a shield against future stains and dirt build-up. Even more so it's important so seal the grout which most of the tilers are not doing when floors are getting laid down. When sealing a floor, it is important that tiles as completely dry. We always check the floor with our damp tester before sealing. Below are the sealer options:

• For natural matte finish we use colour enhancing impregnating sealer. It is a solvent based matt sealer which will penetrate in the surface and allows it to breathe. Impregnating sealer performs well in wet areas including bathrooms, wetrooms and hallways. It is also suitable on floors that have no damp proof course which can be a big plus when restoring an old Victorian floor. Normally Victorian floor will take 2 - 3 coats of the sealer. After application all sealer excess left on tiles needs to be polished off with soft cotton cloths.
• For satin finish a topical film forming sealer is used. This water based acrylic sealer adds sheen and enhances floor appearance and can be only used inside. Normally Victorian tiles take  2 - 4 coats of the topical sealer. Conditions for sealing have to be perfect, no damp and no effloresence as everything will be trapped under the sealer. Topical sealer will help you with everyday maintenance, as it's very easy to clean it. Right cleaning products are essential though.
• For lower sheen finish and sealing floors without damp proof membraine a breathable acrylic topical sealer needs to be used. It let's through efflorescence while still producing a though reliable coating to protect your Victorian or Encaustic tiles.

If using a topical sealer and wanting to keep it in a good condition, then we recommend toping it up yearly, as it will wear down with time. With the impregnating sealer we recommend to top it up after every two years. It is really important to use right cleaning products as too strong products will start eating the sealer away quicker and then sealers have to be topped up in lesser time. 

We also offer personalised maintenance plans for your Victorian and Encaustic floors.

For everyday cleaning of your Victorian or Encaustic floor a pH Neutral cleaners are recommended. The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14 and is a measure of a solution’s acidity or alkalinity. A pH of 7 is neutral; a pH less than 7 is acidic; and a pH greater than 7 is alkaline. By using pH neutral cleaners you won't be damaging the sealer as pH neutral cleaners are much weaker and safer enviromentally.

If you have any questions about maintenance of your victorian floors then let us know and we will be happy to help.