Terracotta Floor Cleaning

Terracotta Floor Cleaning Derbyshire

Terracotta is a wonderful tile suitable for flooring throughout any home. Although kiln-fired, is still requires maintenance in order to endure the effects of normal wear and tear. If the terracotta tiling in your home in need or restoration or repair Tile & Stone Medic Derbyshire have provided professional solutions for years and would love to assist.

Common issues with terracotta flooring we solve

• Marks from footfall, drops and other impacts.
• Discolouration from ground in dirt.
• Moisture damage
• Loose tiles
• Cracks and chips in tiles

If not regularly maintained, terracotta flooring will eventually show marks from footfall and other impacts. Surface scratches and abrasions are usually the result of high footfall, particularly from shoes with hard soles. Footfall can also press dust and dirt into the surface of the tile, slowly grinding microscopic particles which create abrasions. Over time these micro-abrasions will develop into large scratches, swirling and marks.

Terracotta tiles are both unglazed and porous, so they are especially vulnerable if not properly sealed. In fact, terracotta actually becomes more porous with time, so care should be taken to ensure your tiles are professional sealed from day one. Signs that your sealer may need reapplying include fading and lack of vibrancy to the colour on the surface of the tiles and dark marks which seem difficult to remove.

If the tiles have been laid on a poor or unsound subfloor major problems can occur. Terracotta is particularly effected by moisture which gets underneath the tiles if the subfloor is not damp proof. If moisture penetrates the tile from underneath it can weaken or even destroy the entire tile before the damage becomes visible on the top layer. Keep an eye on your grouting and ensure that no tiles show any signs of movement, these are telltale signs that the subfloor may need servicing.

How we maintain terracotta flooring

Terracotta requires a degree of maintenance to keep it looking its best, but if damage or excessive wear has occurred it can move often be solved simply by selecting the right solutions and equipment and carefully applying them. If tiles have become scored or marked, a thorough buff and polish can vastly diminish the visible damage and get them looking great again. A heavy buff can do wonders to reduce the impact of staining if not necessarily remove it completely.

We use strong, quality sealer, thoroughly applied to protect from daily wear and tear. The sealer creates a barrier against dirt and spillages, taking the brunt of the impact from footfall and the like to protect the terracotta tiles. In our experience a new coat of sealer once a year maintains best protection from staining and damage.

If issues with the subfloor have caused damage to the terracotta then repairs may be needed to ensure a longer term fix. If tiles are broken and need replacement we are happy to assist with sourcing these.

Will repairing my terracotta tiles cause disruption?

We work to the highest standards of professionalism, always being conscious that our work should not excessively disturb or disrupt your environment. We get our work done quickly and efficiently, but this doesn’t mean cutting corners. Maintenance of terracotta does not require any dangerous or corrosive chemicals, nor heavy or noisy machinery. Any chemicals used will be thoroughly removed and neutralised before work is declared complete. All relevant health and safety procedure will be followed and risk assessments will be carried out where necessary.

If you have terracotta tile flooring in your home and are interested in our restoration services, general repairs, or anything else, we are here to help. Call Tile & Stone Medic Derbyshire today for a no obligation chat about what we can do for you.

FAQs