Restoration of Victorian Tiled floor

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Restoration of Victorian Tiled floor

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Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 05 2:00 pm Post subject: Restoration of Victorian Tiled floor

Bit of a ramble but bear with me....

I've got a Victorian geometric tiled floor in the hall. Most of its there but bits and pieces are missing, about a metre square). I've found a supplier who makes the tiles to original sizes, colours and patterns (https://www.cravendunnill-jackfield.co.uk/new/home1.htm it's the Ladywood pattern if you're interested). I've tried getting tilers in to do the job for me but they never come back with a quote (too much effort when they can get paid for tiling the new builds that are every where). It's only time constrainst that have prevented me from trying myself, and that the replacement tiles cos a packet. Having been let down several times I'm considering trying it myself.

Where there are big patches missing it's easy to lay plywood and a new adhesive to bed them on. However the main problem is the 'keyhole' surgery part of the job where individual or small groups of tiles are loose or missing as you have to remove the underlying adhesive/screed so you've got enough space to insert the new adhesive and bed in the tile to be level with the floor. However as soon as you start chipping away at the screed it starts to loosen the the surrounding tiles and on and on....

So my question is would one of thoses Dremel multi-tool things be upt to grinding down the top layer of the existing Victorian screed by 5mm to provide the necessary rebate for the new adhesive. The existing screed is bacically a big cement slab.

Anybody have any experience of these tools and if so which one might be up to the job. I've seen them described as hobby, DIY and professional.

Cheers

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 05 2:57 pm Post subject:

I've done some surgery on my old quarry tile floor. I know what you mean about removing just one tile, large areas always want to come with them!

I used a Dremmil to cut round a couple of tiles. Just the cement not the tile. The main problem I found is that the little cutting disks are prone to shattering or wearing out very quickly. There didn't seem to be any problem with the load on the motor.

For grinding out the screed they should be ok if you take it gently.

If you look around you can get generic brands of disks that should fit a Dremmil and they will be cheaper. I ending up buying a whole selection of bits from B&Q as this worked out cheaper than just buying the same number of disks!

Definately wear gloves, goggles and extra protection as when the little disks shatter they go everywhere.

At the end of the day, it may work out cheaper to buy a Dremmil type tool (a cheaper brand one) just for this single job, rather than get someone in.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 05 3:08 pm Post subject:
Cheers, that's my thinking. The tilers all charge about �120 per day for labour (I got that much out of them) and it'll take about three days all in. One lot wanted �200 per man, for two men, to take a week to do it! Also it's another power tool to possess and caress

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 05 8:44 pm Post subject:
A friend of mine did her house tiled floors with reclaimed tiles. (Ilfracombe is a Victorian listed town) I could get the address of the company if you are interested.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 05 9:08 pm Post subject:
I had to get reclaimed tiles to get a reasonable match to our 1930's tiles. There are plenty of interesting things on offer. Ideal article I think. If you go it would help to have some idea of the correct cost as you often name your own price, something I'm not very good at yet, getting better.

Gervase

Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 8655

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 9:30 am Post subject:

I've found the Dremel to be superb for cutting - as in cutting down the grouting between tiles - but not so great for grinding. The stones are OK for mild steel, non ferous metals and roughening glass, but they wear out faster than most other things you'll want to grind.
Get a Dremel anyway (or one of the generic tools - Clarke, B&Q and others all do them) as it will prove invaluable for all sorts of jobs, but depending on the size of the 'keyholes', I'd be tempted to use both old and new techniques.
Cut down into the screed along the edges of the intact tiles and then use a small hammer (a pin or tack hammer with a 4oz head would be enough - banish the club and bolster!) and a half-inch chisel or smaller and just peck away at the screed. If it's proper Victorian stuff it shouldn't be too hard, and if you keep the chisel angled almost upright and use light taps it should be possible to disrupt the top 5mm of screed without causing major structural damage to the slab and surrounding tiles.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 9:47 am Post subject:

Alison - thanks for the offer but they heve to be a match to fit the pattern and colours, some of the tiles have a design onthem (encaustic tiles) and I've found a company that use the original moulds and colours.

Gervase - please don't encourage me to buy power tools - my family need food and shelter. I might just go a linger in the iron mongers and run my fingers over some long hard chisels.

Thanks for the help everyone

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 1:19 pm Post subject:
No problem

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