Altro Cleaning & Polishing

Tile & Stone Medic not only clean & restore hard flooring in private homes, we also carry out a lot of work in commercial and public buildings. Often these buildings have stringent health and safety requirements which must be adhered to not only by workers, but also by the specification of the fixtures and fittings used in the space. For this reason, we often find these buildings fitted with man-made floor types instead of natural stone or tiling. One of the most popular choices is Altro safety flooring, which provides an effective non-slip surface, even when subject to liquid spills, grease and oils. Altro safety flooring also comes in a variety of colours and sizes, so its practical advantages do not come at the expense of looks or convenience.

What is altro safety flooring?

Like other popular man-made floors, altro safety flooring is a composite material, made up of different elements combined under pressure. A PVC layer is mated with a vinyl coating that prevents slip hazards. This makes altro safety flooring particularly useful for bathrooms, changing rooms, hospitals and schools. Of course, when a floor type is chosen for its safety advantages, it becomes even more vital to properly maintain it, or else there is a real risk of losing those advantages. We offer an altro safety flooring restoration and maintenance service to ensure that our customers’ flooring remains safe whilst also looking clean and presentable.

How to care for altro flooring

The main issue to be aware of with altro safety flooring is avoiding an excessive buildup of dust or dirt on the surface of the floor. Even with regular sweeping and hoovering, the commercial environments this flooring is often used in can make it extremely difficult to stay on top of the cleaning without professional assistance. Whilst altro flooring is designed to maintain its anti-slip properties regardless of spills and dirt, if these contaminants are not regularly dealt with they can build up to levels which compromise the non-slip surface. Tile & Stone Medic stock a range of cleaning solutions which can effectively deal with this build up, protecting the safety properties of the floor whilst also restoring a clean and bright appearance.

Specialist altro floor cleaning

Some altro safety flooring installations are fitted with a curved edge. Instead of the flooring surface ending at the bottom of the wall, it it folded up the wall for a short distance, creating a skirt. Many commercial buildings lack the cleaning equipment to properly treat this curve, meaning that much of the daily cleaning misses this vital area. Professional cleaning equipment- which is what we use- is the most efficient way to deal with this build up. We use professional degreaser to cut through the most stubborn dirt whilst preserving the appearance and finish of the floor. It’s not advisable to scrub at a curve without the right gear as it can take an extremely long time to achieve even a small improvement, pro gear makes all the difference.

Sealing altro flooring

We also provide specialist sealing services for altro safety flooring, so if you would like a matt or reflective seal simply let our engineers know. Our experience with a huge range of professional grade floor sealers means that we can choose the most appropriate sealer for the floor whilst also maintaining its all important safety features. If you’re not sure which finish would work best for you, our floor technicians are always happy to advise our customers.

Health and safety floor cleaning

Tile & Stone Medic have worked in a variety of public and private commercial environments and so are fully versed in the health and safety requirements of these demanding workplaces. Altro safety flooring is popular in hospitals and schools and when working in these spaces Tile & Stone Medic will of course adhere to all relevant legislation and guidelines in order to keep our work as safe as possible. Signage will be displayed where needed and high visibility clothing will be worn where required, risk assessments are also carried out when needed. If we are to work in a space with special access requirements or specific hours for entry we are happy to accommodate our customers’ needs, simply let us know.

If you need a professional hand maintaining or restoring your altro safety flooring then reach out to the team at Tile & Stone Medic today and we will be happy to help.

Sandstone floor cleaning Birmingham

Sandstone is a unique flooring material which imparts a warm, rustic aesthetic onto any indoor or outdoor space. Sandstone is made from highly compressed sand, which in turn is made from many different fragments of rock including quartz and feldspar. Sandstone floor tiles come in several different shades of brown, red, yellow and cream, each requiring slightly different maintenance techniques to make the most of their unique colours. Tile & Stone Medic Birmingham provide professional restoration services for all types of sandstone tile and our services work just as well on indoor and outdoor stone too, so whatever your situation we’re here to help make your sandstone floor look fantastic.

How we clean sandstone tile floors

Each type of floor we work on has its own quirks. Depending on the source of the stone and the type of wear the floor tiles have had to withstand, our cleaning methods and solutions are tailored for optimum results. Broadly speaking our workflow for restoring sandstone tiles follows a few key steps. Initially we must tackle any surface dirt, if any deeper cleaning is to be successfully this troublesome top soil must be removed completely. With the top soil gone we then apply specialist cleaning solutions which are allowed to dwell on the tiles in order to loosen the more engrained dirt that has worked itself deeper into the stone. After the solutions have done their work on the floor, the tiles are then fully washed and the floor neutralised to remove all traces of the cleaning solution. At this point we can treat minor damage like small chips and cracks to the tile that would prevent polishing or sealing. Only when the sandstone has been cleaned and repaired can we then polish and seal the floor. This part of the process can be tailored to your preference, we can take sandstone tiles to a matt finish, or a high sheen and then apply specialist sealant to enhance this appearance even further. Tile & Stone Medic Birmingham have worked on hundreds of tiled floors in all kinds of conditions, if you’d like to take a look at the quality of our previous work please see our testimonials page.

Maintaining sandstone floors

The final stage of the process, applying the sealant, is especially important with sandstone as it is a highly porous rock. If untreated, it can be permanently discoloured or damaged by spills. Maintaining the seal on your sandstone floor is essential to ensure it stays looking great for as long as possible. The sealant will naturally break down over time as the floor is used, so best practise is to reapply this seal at least once a year to keep the sandstone tiles protected. We would advise caution when using off the shelf cleaning solutions on sandstone floors as chemicals with the wrong formulation can do serious damage to the tile. If in doubt, ask our cleaning technicians for some tips.

Book sandstone floor cleaning in Birmingham

If you have a sandstone floor in your home and would like to book our professional cleaning and restoration service we’d love to hear from you, simply reach out via the contact form on our website.

We’ve worked with hundreds of happy customers in our 15+ years of experience, take a look at our numerous 5 star reviews on Google to get an idea of the quality of our work.

Ceramic is a popular, attractive tile which sees use in many areas of the home. As a comparatively cheap and rugged tile, its popularity is easy to understand. Ceramic tiles come in a number of different shapes and forms, but generally ceramic tiles are all made from combinations of sand clay and other similar natural elements. The tiles are formed by firming this mixture in a kiln, which makes for a tough, but somewhat brittle, tile.

To finish, ceramic floor tiles are often glazed. Whilst glazing isn’t absolutely necessary, it helps to protect the tiles from moisture damage and surface scratches. Ceramic tiles are porous, so regular maintenance is essential to protect them from staining and other types of moisture damage. Tile & Stone Medic provide the full range of ceramic tile floor services, from simple surface maintenance to deep cleaning, polishing, full restoration and resealing.

Common issues with ceramic tiles

General wear and tear is unavoidable with all types of flooring, and ceramic tiles are no exception. Over time, dust will scratch and mark the top of the tiles, gradually working its way through the glaze and, if left, eventually scratching the tiles themselves.

If inappropriate cleaning chemicals are used, this can make the damage worse because some liquids can eat away at the sealant or glaze and leave the tiles vulnerable to further damage. The most likely outcome is that the tiles will simply become dull with time, as dust gradually wears away at the surface shine of the tile.

Tile & Stone Medic take care of all of these issues and have been doing so for over 15 years, so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands when you work with us for your ceramic tile restoration.

Types of ceramic tile

Different types of ceramic tile tend to take their name from their design or finish rather than variations in their construction. Most frequently, we service Victorian Minton ceramic tiles. This style of patterned ceramic tile was popular in the Victorian period and can often be found in period homes, usually somewhat the worse for wear after many years of use.

Restoring Victorian Minton ceramic tiles is one of our most popular services, and you can see plenty of examples of the results we’ve been able to achieve on our testimonials page.

Variations of ceramic tiles & additional cleaning

Ceramic tiling can be used in many different areas of the home, but often it is found in kitchens and bathrooms. Ceramic tiles can even be used for walls. Whilst our speciality is floor care, we happily provide the same high level cleaning service for ceramic wall tiles as for tiled floors.

Since ceramic tiles are generally secured by grout, cleaning and maintaining the grout lines can be just as important as maintaining the tiles. Fortunately, grout cleaning is another service we provide, so if you’d like us to take a look at tidying up your grouting whilst we’re working on your ceramic tiles simply mention this when you get in touch.

How we clean ceramic tile flooring

No two floors are the same, but generally our cleaning follows a similar course, depending on the condition of the floor.

• Initially we take care of removing surface dirt, before using specially formulated solutions to clean deeper into the tile.
• After the solutions have been left to dwell, they are thoroughly rinsed off in preparation for polishing and any minor repairs which are required.
• With the polishing complete and the floor cleaned, we then seal the ceramic tiles with a high quality sealant to protect them from moisture.
• All in all the process can be completed in a day, depending of course on the area of the tiled floor.

If your ceramic floor is in need of some care, Tile & Stone Medic are here to help. With over 15 years of experience cleaning and restoring ceramic tiles you’d be hard pressed to find anyone more qualified, just take a look at our numerous 5 star reviews if you need any reassurance. Get in touch today to make a booking.

Laminate floor cleaning Birmingham

At Tile & Stone Medic we not only clean and restore tile and natural stone floors, but also a whole spectrum of laminate floor types. We offer restoration services for all, including karndean, amtico, linoleum, marmoleum, altro-safety flooring and vinyl. If you have laminate flooring in your home or business we provide a comprehensive restoration service which removes dust, dirt and marks to rejuvenate the attractive appearance of this popular man-made flooring.

What is laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is popular alternative to more expensive alternatives such as natural stone. Whilst natural stone is unique and long lasting, laminate is both more durable and cheaper, making it particularly popular for commercial and public buildings which need to withstand punishing amounts of wear and tear. Nevertheless, even the toughest of floors requires maintenance in order to survive and continue looking its best. Like natural stone, each type of laminate flooring, from karndean through to altro safety flooring, has it’s own specific maintenance requirements which need to be followed to extend the life of the floor. At Tile & Stone Medic our many years of experience restoring laminate flooring has given us a comprehensive knowledge of these requirements.

Cleaning laminate flooring

Identifying the type of laminate flooring in your home or business can be a bit of a challenge if you weren’t involved with the installation. Some are designed to simulate the appearance of wood or stone, whilst others offer their own unique colourful or patterned appearance. If you’re not sure what type of laminate flooring you have, simply email us over a picture or two, or describe some of the features of the flooring over the phone and we’ll do our best to identify it. We carry such a range of cleaning products and equipment that if we’re not able to identify the floor type remotely, we’ll turn up with all the appropriate solutions and identify it on site.

Should I clean my laminate flooring?

Care should always be taken to work only with an experienced cleaning company who are fully versed in the maintenance requirements of laminate flooring. Yes, laminate flooring is tough, but the wrong products can spell disaster. In particular, steam cleaning apparatus can wreak havoc on certain types of laminate, leaving behind irreparable damage. If heavy cleaning machinery is used inappropriately this can loosen laminate planks and create gaps which make it easy for dirt and dust to accumulate. This dust and dirt can then be spread into the floor and become engrained, making it near impossible to remove by hand. This difficult to remove soiling is one of the reasons why some owners decide a steam cleaner is the only option. If your laminate flooring is suffering from stubborn, engrained dirt then do not risk expensive replacement flooring costs, simply give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

Laminate floor sealing

Many laminate floor types offer a shiny attractive finish, the kind that would take considerable time and effort to achieve with a natural hard floor. A common complaint is that, over time, this shine wears away and laminate flooring becomes dull. This is an unavoidable process and is simply the result of natural wear and tear. The good news is that at Tile & Stone Medic we can restore this shine as part of our laminate flooring restoration process. Not only will our polishing and sealing ensure the floor looks great when we’re done, in many cases it can protect the floor from future wear and tear and extend its lifespan considerably. We are also happy to offer advice on the best way to maintain the finish of your freshly cleaned floor.

If you need a hand protecting or maintaining your laminate flooring then save yourself time and money by working with an expert. With years of professional experience behind us, we are confident we deliver one of the best refurbishment and restoration services available today. What’s more, we offer nationwide services, so wherever you are, reach out to the team today, we know you’ll be delighted with the results.

Marmoleum floor cleaning & polishing Birmingham

At Tile & Stone Medic we carry out restoration work on a huge number of natural stone and man-made floors. We see these floors in many different settings, from stately manors and diplomatic embassies, right through to small offices and family homes. One of the most common man-made floor types we encounter is Marmoleum. Marmoleum sits within the linoleum family of synthetic floors, offering many of the same advantages including a hardwearing, stain-resistant finish that can be polished to an attractive shine.

Cleaning marmoleum flooring

One of the reasons for the popularity of marmoleum is that it is an extremely environmentally friendly floor type. None of the ingredients of marmoleum contain volatile organic compounds (VCOs), chemicals know to be damaging to the environment. The ingredients that go into marmoleum are also highly sustainable, making marmoleum the ideal flooring solution for an eco-friendly household or office. It’s also great value and available in an almost infinite variety of shapes and colours, it can even be used on counter tops as well as for flooring, making it a popular choice for restaurants and eateries.

Professional marmoleum restoration

Marmoleum flooring was designed to be highly durable so it could last for many years. In order to keep it looking and performing its best however it is advisable to have it serviced every now and then. Something we always advise our customers to avoid when maintaining a marmoleum floor is the use of aggressive cleaning chemicals. Highly alkaline solutions in particular can be too abrasive for marmoleum and will wear away at its surface. If you’ve got a stain or scuff that’s irritating you don’t immediately go for the toughest chemical you can find. In fact, we advise all of our customers to proceed with caution with all off-the-shelf cleaning products, they often promise to deliver big results but are rarely formulated properly for the floors types they claim to be suited to. Instead, many rely on aggressive and poisonous compounds to do their work. If in doubt, use the mildest solution you can and if it doesn’t make the difference you were hoping for then speak to a professional.

When does marmoleum need cleaning?

If your marmoleum flooring has darkened in appearance it could be due to engrained dirt. Where any floor is exposed to regular foot traffic this will eventually happen, it’s natural wear and tear. Dirt, transported on footwear, is trodden onto the surface of the floor. With repeated footfall this dirt creates microscopic grooves in the surface of the floor which provide a great surface for the dirt to bond to. Once engrained, the dirt will no longer be removed by dry sweeping or vacuuming. The most effective way to tackle engrained dirt is with professional cleaning equipment. Our equipment cleans much deeper into the surface of the flooring than consumer grade gear, agitating and loosening the dirt without scratching and wearing at the floor. This dirt can then simply be washed away, restoring the colour and vibrancy of the marmoleum.

Marmoleum floor sealing

Another common complaint is that marmoleum flooring has lost its shine. This can sometimes be due to engrained dirt, but is more often simply a consequence of time. When marmoleum is new it comes with a shielding surface layer which reflects light and protects the floor. Over time, with repeated footfall, paw prints, moving of furniture and other general day-to-day usages, this protective layer will get worn down. In order to keep your marmoleum floor looking great we’d recommend a professional polish to restore this shine.

If you need a hand restoring or maintaining your marmoleum floor then give the team at Tile & Stone Medic a call today. We’d be delighted to lend a hand helping you get the most from this attractive and environmentally-friendly floor type.

FAQs

Karndean Floor Cleaning Service Birmingham

Over the last few years, Karndean flooring has become an increasingly popular choice for synthetic hard flooring in homes and commercial premises. Highly durable and available in a range of attractive finishes, Karndean is an economic alternative to natural stone floors. Despite this, it still needs occasional maintenance to make sure it looks our best. Our exceptional Karndean floor cleaning service takes this burden of maintenance off your hands.

Common issues with Karndean floors

Karndean is durable, but if you’ve noticed any of these issues with your flooring it might worth getting a professional opinion and perhaps booking a cleaning service to take a look:

• Scratches
• Discolouration
• Fading
• Lack of shine
• White spots

Light scratches and dark marks on Karndean floor usually occur when furniture of footwear has been dragged along the floor. Particularly if the floor has not been kept completely free of dust and debris. Small particles of dust can become trapped under feet or furniture legs, then when the furniture is moved the dirt is pressed into the floor and creates a scratch.

White spots will appear if liquid spills aren’t cleaned up quickly. If you have Karndean in your bathroom this can be a troublesome area. Whilst most liquids will only leave behind surface marks, solvents, wines and similar liquids can do more serious discolouration. Never steam clean a Karndean floor and be careful which vacuum cleaners and other equipment is used to maintain it. If in doubt, get an expert opinion from Tile & Stone Medic.

Our process

• We begin our Karndean restoration process with a dry sweep and mop of the floor. Lingering dust and dirt must be removed or it will hamper the rest of the cleaning process.
• With the floor clean, we can set to work removing scratches and scuffs. A light or firm buff will usually lessen, if not remove, the visible damage.
• The floor is now ready to be washed with our specialist Karndean cleaning solutions. The PH balanced solutions are diluted to the right consistency then applied thoroughly to the floor. Once the Karndean has dried it will be ready for use.

If your Karndean is more worn and has lost its satin sheen, it may require a strip and refresh. This is generally only required once a year or so. Stripper is applied to the floor and left to dwell for a short time. A refresher solution is then worked in the floor and allowed to dry. These carefully chosen chemicals are completely safe and work in harmony to restore the sheen to worn Karndean.

Our standards

Tile & Stone Medic Birmingham hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism. Our technicians will arrive on time, be polite and will always clean up after themselves. All necessary risk assessments and health and safety practises will be followed so you can be confident all work carried out will be completely safe.

If your Karndean floor could benefit from our cleaning and maintenance services then reach out to one of our friendly team today to find out how we can help.

Synthetic Hard Floor Cleaning Birmingham

If your hard floor is damaged, stained or simply beginning to show its age, Tile & Stone Medic Birmingham would be happy to restore the surface back to its best. Reach out to us today to find out more about how we can help.

Our work

At Tile & Stone Medic we don’t only work with natural stone and tile. Over the years we’ve worked in a number of environments and have developed considerable expertise working with man-made floor types such as amtico, linoleum and vinyl. Whatever condition your floor is in we would be happy to provide a restoration solution to suit, whether carrying out full scale repairs or simply replacing the sealant, we aim to please.

Many forms of synthetic floor are actually more straightforward to repair and treat than natural materials. Where floors have suffered serious damage we would need to take an assessment to understand what we can achieve. We can conduct some aspects of the assessment remotely if you’d like to provide a description or image of the damage. Bear in mind that particularly damaged flooring will in some cases need a replacement. We can help with sourcing these. In many cases however we have been able get years more life out of flooring which some would have considered beyond repair.

Our experience

Every different floor installation has its own challenges. The size of the space, the access to it and the amount of wear and tear it endures on a daily basis all affect our approach when servicing a floor. Backed by years of experience in the industry, you can feel confident that we’ll select only the most appropriate solutions for the job at hand. DIY solutions and poor choices of tools can leave hard floors in a worse condition and even cause irreparable damage. At Tile & Stone Medic you’re in safe hands, you can trust that we’ll always pick the best products for the job.

The finish

Our cutting edge rotary polishers will have your synthetic hard floor looking fantastic in no time at all. We stock a range of sealing products and can tailor the final finish to your liking so long as your flooring material supports it. We can achieve a range of finishes from a high sheen reflective finish through to a flatter matt appearance. If you’re not sure exactly what finish you’d like we’d be happy to discuss your options and show you some examples of our previous work.

Our standards

Whether working with domestic or commercial customers, we always work to the highest standards of professionalism. Heath and safety is a top priority, we always follow all relevant rules and procedures and will conduct a full risk assessment where necessary. Our technicians always leave their workspace as clean or cleaner than when they found it and will conduct themselves in a punctual and polite manner. Where you have special requirements for your floor we will always endeavour to accommodate you.

If you are interested in booking our services for your hard floor, reach out to us today for a friendly chat with one of our experienced technicians. Whether you’d like to discuss regular maintenance contracts or one off spot cleans, we’d be delighted to help.