How to Restore Tiled Floors
If you’re really lucky, you may have an encaustic tiled floor in your hallway, if not in perfect condition, it may be worth considering restoration, or it could even benefit from a thorough cleaning, as would any tiled floor, whether it be quarry or ceramic.
One of the distinguishing features of Victorian houses can be the ‘encaustic’ tiled floor in the hallway, with intricate and colourful patterns. The small tiles can become loose and possibly damaged, but individual tiles can usually be replaced, provided you can get hold of suitable replacements (architectural salvage yards are a good source of second-hand tiles).
Other types of tiled flooring that may need attention are quarry tiles – widely used in Victorian kitchens and sculleries – and ceramic floor tiles, which are larger and thicker than ceramic wall tiles.
Replacement encaustic tiles have to be ordered from a specialist supplier. You should be able to replace individual tiles yourself, but if major sections of the floor are involved, you may want to call in a specialist firm. Unlike other types of hard tile, encaustic tiles are laid without grouting gaps between them. The close fit helps to keep the tiles in place, but dirt and grit can build up around the edges, causing them to be dislodged and, possibly, damaged.
Individual small sections of encaustic tile may be replaced without loosening any other tiles. To remove a damaged tile, prise the piece out of the floor using an old chisel or small flat-bladed scraper. Clean off any dirt and old mortar.
Apply a diluted 50/50 solution of PVA adhesive to the back of the loose tile and the old mortar bed 6. If necessary, and for larger sections, cutaway the underlying mortar and lay the tiles using a cement based tiling adhesive, spread in a thin bed on the floor. Replace the tile, firm down and leave for 5-7 days to ‘cure’. Then, if necessary, carefully sand down level with the rest of the floor, using an orbital sander or mini sander fitted with fine sanding pads. This may be a good opportunity to lightly sand the whole floor area to obtain a uniform surface. I would advise sealing the floor afterwards.
Floor Finishes
Glazed ceramic or quarry tiles require no further finishing. The traditional home-made finish to use on unglazed tiles is one part boiled linseed oil to three parts white spirit. This is applied with a cotton cloth, allowed to soak in and the excess removed. The finish can be improved (and its life extended) by finishing off with a coat of clear wax.
A new, or cleaned-up, quarry tile floor can be sealed using a proprietary floor sealer, applied by using a brush or roller. Tile cleaners, sealers and waxes are available from tile shops and from specialist suppliers via the internet.