Church floor

Minton Tiled Church Floor Restoration Shilton

Minton Floor Tile Restoration at St. Andrew’s Church in Shilton

If you follow my activities, you will notice I have a reputation for being a Church Restoration specialist for tiled floors. In this example the church was St’ Andrew’s in the old village of Shilton which is a couple of miles North of Coventry.

St-Andrews-Church-Shilton

The village of Shilton is listed in the Domesday book of 1066 and the Grade II listed parish church has been in existence since the 13th century. It was rebuilt twice in the 14th and 15th centuries and benefited form major work in 1865. The tiled floor installed throughout the church were manufactured by Milton so it’s probable the floor was laid at that time.

Exposing and Renovating a Milton Tiled Church Floor

My first call out to the church was to carefully remove the expansive carpet which had been put down over the tiled floor in the 1970. It had been fixed with some very strong adhesive and it had become clear that the carpet and the glue had formed a barrier over the tile sealing moisture into the floor. In some places the moisture had spread out to the walls of the Church causing rising damp. The damp resulted in plaster lifting off from the walls because it could not escape through the floor. I had to call in some assistance with this job and between us managed to remove the old carpets which were cut up and placed into black bags for disposal.

Tiled Floor During Restoration St. Andrews Church Shilton Tiled Floor During Restoration St. Andrews Church Shilton

With the tiled floor now clear the next job was to remove the old adhesive. To do this, large sections of tile were soaked in a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go. To enhance this further the section was covered in plastic sheeting and left overnight. Doing it this way prevents the Remove and Go from drying out making it work harder and for longer. The next morning was spent carefully removing the glue with hand using scrapers and a buffing machine fitted with brush.

Tiled Floor During Restoration St. Andrews Church Shilton Tiled Floor During Restoration St. Andrews Church Shilton

Once the adhesive was gone and the tiles exposed, they were given an acid wash which involved scrubbing with Tile Doctor Acid Gel. Being an acidic product, it counter acts any alkaline efflorescent salts inherent in the floor and deals with any grout hazing issues as well improving their appearance. After scrubbing the soil generated was extracted using an industrial wet vacuum and then the floor was given a quick rinse with water which again was extracted using the wet vacuum.

Tiled Floor During Cleaning St Andrews Church Shilton

Sealing a Milton Tiled Church Floor

Before sealing the previously cleaned section of tiling it was left for a few days to dry out and checked with a damp meter beforehand. Once dry the section was sealed using a couple of coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which is an impregnating hard wearing sealer that improves colour. Colour Grow is also a fully breathable making it ideal for sealing old floors like this one that have no damp proof membrane and will allow moisture to rise through the tile so it can evaporate at the surface.

Tiled Floor After Restoration St Andrews Church Shilton

The work was done over seven days with the various sections roped off, so it was obvious to the parishioners. In total it took seven days to complete the restoration and I think you will agree from the photographs the church looks transformed.

St Andrew  Church Shilton During Restoration

 

Professional Restoration of a Minton Tiled Church Floor in Coventry

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Victorian Tiled Church Floor Renovation Rugby

Repairing and Restoring Victorian Tiles ad St Chad’s Church in Rugby

I was called out to repair and clean a lovely Victorian tiled floor at St’ Chads which is a small church in Rugby, a market town in Warwickshire and well known for being the birthplace of Rugby Football. There were two areas requiring attention, both with different patterned tiles.

St Chads Church Rugby Internal

The floor had been patch repaired in the past and the tiles were now lifting and becoming loose due to efflorescent salts getting between the tiles. Damp can be a big problem with these old floors where no damp proof membrane has been fitted and I suspect a non-breathable sealer had been used previously, resulting in moisture being trapped under the tile.

Victorian Church Floor Rugby Before Repair

It’s lovely when I get to work in a property such as this, it makes a change from doing residential properties. I was confident I would be able to resolve the problems, and I was given the keys and time just to get on with it.

St Chads Church Rugby External

Cleaning and Repairing a Victorian Tiled Church Floor

I’m always on the lookout for reclaimed tiles on eBay so I was luckily able to repair the floor using some tiles from my collection which matched the existing and also some of the new ones that were fitted after the floor was repaired. Once the tile adhesive had set the tiles were grouted in using a matching grout. I managed to make the repairs in the morning and moved onto cleaning the floor in the afternoon once I was sure the adhesive and grout had set.

Victorian Church Floor Rugby During Repair

Concerned about adding moisture to the floor I opted to scrub the tiles with Tile Doctor Acid Gel which being an acid would counter any alkaline salts inherent in the floor and also deal with grout smears as well. After scrubbing the tiles with the Tile Doctor Acid Gel the soiled product was extracted using an industrial wet vacuum and then the floor was given a quick rinse with water which again was extracted using the wet vacuum.

To ensure there was no increase in the level of dampness in the floor I took moisture readings before and after the cleaning process. I then left the floor to dry out for a few days.

Victorian Church Floor Rugby After Repair

Sealing a Victorian Tiled Church Floor

When I returned I first checked the tiles were dry using the damp meter and verified that they had returned to the baseline level I took at the start. With all being well I applied several coats of sealer to the floor. Given the issue with the tiles lifting previously I was keen not to repeat the previous issue and used Tile Doctor Seal and Go Extra which is a fully breathable sealer ideal for floors where damp can be a problem. This gave the tiles a nice natural sheen and allowed the colours to shine through.

Victorian Church Floor After Restoration Victorian Church Floor Rugby After Restoration

The parishioners were very happy with the repairs to the floor and to see their lovely church restored.

 

Professional Restoration of a Victorian Tiled Church Floor in Warwickshire

Repairing and Restoring Victorian Tiles ad St Chad’s Church in Rugby Read More »

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