RaceDiagnostics
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 3,160
Then and now comparison.
Two new south facing windows added
Two new south facing windows added
- Thread starter RaceDiagnostics
- Start date
Blue Chips
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 622
- Location
- Maine, USA
My immediate thoughts: I think it's a very nice historic feature of the house, and if it could be thoroughly cleaned and stabilised (and the major damage fixed), I'd be tempted to tolerate minor damage, which could be considered part of its history and 'patina.' I'm assuming that the tiles are mortared onto some kind of hard substrate (concrete, stone, etc.). Some close-up photos might help suggest some ways of mitigating the damage. I've done a fair amount of tile repair and installation on various antique homes over the years, and I might have a few ideas. For instance, it looks like there are a number of holes drilled or punched in the tiles, which could be repaired with colour-matched epoxy-modified grout. Grout colourants aren't hard to use; they just take a bit of trial-and-error mixing until the colour matches closely. I prefer powdered pigment-based colorants, as they are usually permanently colour-fast. Loose tiles can often be re-secured with clear epoxy, rather than trying to re-mortar them. Etc., etc.
- Messages
- 22,309
- Location
- Birmingham
Was it built during the "window tax" period?
RaceDiagnostics
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 3,160
I'm also now thinking it's worth saving. The damage is fairly minimal, just a couple of broken tiles and a dozen holes, the concrete base seems to be good in general with just one crack at the edge/border.
Three damaged tiles at the front edge.
15 holes like this.
One like this
And this crank in the perimeter. Perhaps the perimeter could be lifted and replaced.
Three damaged tiles at the front edge.
15 holes like this.
One like this
And this crank in the perimeter. Perhaps the perimeter could be lifted and replaced.
Blue Chips
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 622
- Location
- Maine, USA
A few more thoughts: Without seeing the tiles in person, I could be wrong, but they appear to be solid-colour (through-colour) bisque tiles, which are relatively soft, but that can be a good thing, since chips and scratches show the same color underneath, making restoration more forgiving. I think the first thing to do is experiment with removing what looks like patches of mortar/cement residue on the tile surface. I'd start with trying to gently flake the patches off with a sharp-edged stainless-steel putty knife, without damaging the tiles. Then I'd try to remove the thinner residue/films physically, rather than with an acid designed for cleaning cement or grout residue, since an acid might damage or soften existing tiles and grout. I wouldn't totally rule out acid cleaning, but it's risky, and it would require research and experimentation before proceeding. I would start with the most gentle physical cleaning method, such as plastic pot scrubber pads and water, and if necessary, move slowly toward more aggressive abrasives, such as Scotchbrite pads, etc. If you use a wire brush, at least make sure it's stainless steel that won't leave micro particles that will cause rust stains. If the tiles are very soft, using powered abrasive tools might be too aggressive. It's a fairly small area, so you'll probably want to stick with hand tools.
Blobber
Member
- Messages
- 2,563
- Location
- lincolnshire
Perhaps something like this might do it
Blue Chips
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 622
- Location
- Maine, USA
I think you're on the right track. I've never used that product, but there are lots of reviews, so it would probably be worth reading through them to see how well it worked for people. If the consistency of the mixture is too thin, it might be hard to work with.
I'm a bit old-fashioned, and I think I'd probably stay with concrete colourant pigments mixed with epoxy-modified unsanded grout, as it's a tried-and-tested approach that has worked for me.
Addendum to my previous post: Don't use a sanded grout for the hole repairs, as it would not feather as smoothly onto the area surrounding a repair as an unsanded grout.
DAPPH
as dyslexik as I'm daft
- Messages
- 7,070
- Location
- Near to Cross Hands Llanelli SouthWales GB
Any decent carpeting compny or evn the internet can be a source for a new mat. i made up a 50 /50 angle iron steel frame with bedding in lugs . got hot galvanized and set inthe floor to our conservatory double doors on the inside . I infilled it with self-levelling compound the the correct depth Got the rubberised backing coconut fibre matting cut to size it fitted dead level with the thermoplastic wood effect diagonals flooring too .
Have you considered excavating it deep enough to put in some sensible floor insulation & waterproofing ?
RaceDiagnostics
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 3,160
I plan to try to restore it first. A dpc and insulation would be nice if I I did redo it all.
addjunkie
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 12,536
- Location
- Northumberland. Reet oot in the sticks
I thought that too, but insulating the floor with single timber walls, and single glazed cant see it making much difference.
The wood is really nice and in keeping, would be a shame to insulate and panel.
RaceDiagnostics
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 3,160
Probably! The rear outer corner was a bit damp, not sure how to tackle that yet.
I'm also not sure if it is a solid concrete floor as there is a vent in the outside wall at the back.
View from the rear outside.
There is a vent in the corner .
My thoughts too, I could live with the cracked tiles, even the mismatch on the pattern, but would have to do something about the holes.
- Messages
- 22,309
- Location
- Birmingham
I don't see any encaustic tiles in RaceDiagnostics' floor,
but if anyone needs expert help with encaustic tiles then :
https://www.cdjackfield.com/
are very good.
but if anyone needs expert help with encaustic tiles then :
https://www.cdjackfield.com/
are very good.
RaceDiagnostics
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 3,160
I thought they were encaustic tiles, IE no glaze and the same colour all the way through. Have I got that wrong?
Encaustic Tiles ( A much better name is Inlaid Tiles) have two or more colours and are not the same colour all the way through.
(Tho often you would have to break the tile in two to see that)
For once Wikipedia gets things mostly right https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encaustic_tile
If you are ever at Ironbridge Shropshire the tile museum at Jackfield is worth a visit https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/visit/jackfield-tile-museum/
Which is also where Craven Dunhill Jackfield https://www.cdjackfield.com/ are based.
RaceDiagnostics
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 3,160
I'm about 2/3 of the way through scraping off all the old cement and glue and the floor is coming up nicely. Once all scraped I will go over it with the DA to get rid of the stubborn marks. I already tried it on a few tiles and it works well as there is no glaze on the tiles and they are well worn from 120 years of traffic. Pics of that later.
Took a quick break to use the belt sander on the threshold step. It's coming up great.
Took a quick break to use the belt sander on the threshold step. It's coming up great.
