During the Edwardian and Victorian era, it was common to have a geometric design floor using mosaic sized tiles to form decorative patterns and borders to front paths, hallways and sometimes kitchens. Hard wearing, long lasting and easy to clean they gained huge popularity up and down the country.
Gradually over the decades many geometric floors have either been chopped up, covered with carpet, latex, wood, vinyl or just left to crumble. We see on many occasions; plumbers have cut channels through the floor to bury pipes for new radiators. On timber suspended floors, heat from new radiator pipes underneath has caused the lime screed to dry out and fracture through the screed and crack the tile. Oftentimes cracked and missing tiles will likely be in areas of heavy foot traffic through the hallway and the bottom of the stairs. On other occasions, tiles are structurally sound and just stained from having been covered with black or green carpet underlay for years.
Upon survey, we at Victorian Tile Services will offer the best fit plan to restore the floor structurally and aesthetically back to its former glory.
Here we have a very common case study. Our brief was to restore the hallway and extend the same design using salvaged restored original tiles to the path outside.
Sections of loose and cracked tiles are a tell-tale sign that localised sections of screed below is damaged. All cracked and loose pieces were carefully removed. We then replaced the damaged sections of screed. Tiles were reinstalled and any cracked or damaged pieces were replaced using restored salvaged pieces to ensure a close colour match. All new primers, adhesive and grout selected allow the screed and tiles to breath which is essential in Edwardian and Victorian properties.
Sourcing Original salvaged pieces that were used 100 years ago we were able to lay a new floor to the path and step outside adjoining the hallway inside.
Once the floor has been laid, we then use diamond pads to grind away 100 years of dirt and ingrained grime. Once dry, the final process is to apply the breathable sealer.
Maintenance, strong chemicals should not be used on your geometric floor. A mop with lukewarm water with a detergent specifically for a quarry tiled floor will keep your floor looking good for years to come.
Victorian tile services are a family run company, with experience and knowledge regarding all things tile related since the 1980’s. We have the skills required and an abundance of passion to recreate and restore these timeless floors back to their former glory.