If you own a historic home, the tile work is likely one of the features that makes it so distinctive and beautiful. However, over time, tiles can become worn or damaged, detracting from their beauty. Luckily, restoring tile in a historic home is possible with some patience and the right materials. Here's a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about restoring tiles in your historic home.
The Restoration Process
The first step of restoring tiles in a historic home is assessing the damage and determining which restoration process will be best for that particular tile. The most common types of damage tend to be:
· Chips and cracks
· Discolouration or fading due to age
· Grout gaps that have grown too large
· Damage caused by water or humidity
Depending on the type of damage and what kind of tile you have (ceramic vs. marble), you may need to use different materials and methods for restoration.
Cleaning & Grinding
Once you've identified what kind of repair needs to be done, it's time to start cleaning the area around the tile as well as any existing grout between each individual tile. You'll want to use a mild detergent mixed with warm water for this process - stronger chemicals could potentially strip away any sealant or protective coating on the tiles themselves.
After cleaning, you may also need to do some tile polishing and grinding if the tile surface is uneven due to wear or chips. This can help smooth out any rough edges so that your finished product looks uniform and even.
Sealing & Regrouting
Once the cleaning and grinding/polishing is complete, it's time for sealing and regrouting. Now that your tiles are clean and even again, you'll want to apply a sealant over them so they won't get further damaged by moisture or dirt build-up over time. Then comes regrouting - which involves removing any old grout from between each individual tile and replacing it with new grout of the same colour, so that everything looks uniform once more!
Ready to get started?
Restoring tiles in a historic home requires patience, but it can be very rewarding if done properly! With this comprehensive guide to restoring tiles in your home - from assessing damage, through cleaning and grinding, all the way up to sealing and regrouting - you should now have all the information you need to make sure your restored tiles look perfect. And don’t forget, when polishing and grinding your tiles, take extra care not to damage them further. Good luck!
