Question 1

Can you repair cracks and holes in my tiles?

Accepted Answer

It depends... some glazed tiles like ceramic and porcelaine tiles are very difficult/impossible to repair, this is because they cannot be ground or polished after the repair is made as the glazed surface would be damaged and affected. Depending on the damage and desired result, they can be improved if replacement is not possible.

Other stones and tiles can be repaired with often amazing result than can be very difficult to spot. Using resins with tints, other substrates, cement and 'trick of the trade' we can make fantastic repairs to help you love your floor, work top or sink again.

We specialise in repairs, to cracks, holes and etches.

Question 2

Can you remove stains from my stone?

Accepted Answer

It's important to know what the mark or damage is. Thick of a stain like a stain on clothing, this could be wine, coffee or even rust stain on your floor. Like your clothes, these can often be removed with specialist stain removers, but the art is knowing which chemicals to use and how.

Then there are 'etches' which would be like a tear or pull on your clothes. Etches are caused by chemicals that literally eat away at the stone. If you've been to a bar or hotel with a marble bar top, you may have noticed rings etched into the surface. This is caused by acidic drinks like orange juice or tonic water that have run down the side of the glass and formed a ring that has allowed the acidic liquid to etch into the marble, causing physical damage that is not a stain. This can be removed and we are experts at this. It involves grinding back the stone, repolishing it and blending it in to the rest of the area, and then re-sealing it. Once repaired, you'll never know it was there.

Question 3

Why should I seal my floors or work surfaces?

Accepted Answer

Sealers help form a barrier to prevent staining and etching. There are no miracles, but good quality sealers can help provide time to clean up spills before they cause damage. There are various types of sealer, the two main types being Topical (sits on top like a varnish on wood) and Impregnator (that impregnates the pores of the stone. There are pro's and cons as to which is best for any given situation and the choice is an important one to get right. Contact me and let's have a call so that I can provide advice depending on your stone, needs and the situation it's used.

If your surfaces are used for food preparation, sealing the stone for hygiene purposes is very important. There are specific food safe sealers that can be used in these situations.

Question 4

How often should I seal my stone surfaces?

Accepted Answer

It depends on numerous factors, but typically, once a year for used or high traffic areas is a good start. If it's a hallway, a simple splash test may reveal that the edges are still sealed well, but the traffic area don the middle is in need of re-sealing. In kitchens, the entrance, area in front of the sink or cooker will typically need sealing more often than other parts that are not subject to the same usage.

To test, splash some water onto the surface. If it sits on top like a perfect half moon, like rain on a new waterproof jacket, then the sealer is good. If it starts to soak in and form a dome, then the sealer is breaking down and it should be renewed. If the water soaks in, then it really needs some attention... most likely a good deep clean before being re-sealed.

Question 5

Should I also seal grout?

Accepted Answer

Yes. grout is often the biggest culprit in making many floors look dirty. Often, when floors are put down, the stones may be sealed from the factory and the installers don't add any more, so typically the grout is left unsealed. Some glazed tiles, like ceramic and porcelaine do not need/cannot be sealed and are installed and left as 'maintenance free', but unsealed/not maintained grout will discolour.

We offer advice on cleaning your grout and offer it as a service, typically with an entire deep clean for the floor or surface. It is impressive how very dirty and discoloured grout can be cleaned and revived, then once sealed will massively improve the look of your floor for the future.

For food safe areas, we also offer an epoxy coating service that can provides a much safer surface to avoid contamination and allow areas such as splash-backs to be approved in a commercial situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you repair cracks and holes in my tiles?

Can you remove stains from my stone?

Why should I seal my floors or work surfaces?

How often should I seal my stone surfaces?

Should I also seal grout?