Crunchy Edwardian Tiled Floor - TilersForums.com

[SimonC]

Acid is only going to be much use in cleaning things like cement residues off. As this floor had been covered with carpet then I would guess that you have general dirt that has built up underneath it over time as well as the residues of old sealants/polishes/waxes (which would not be cleaned off using acid). I would recommend that you try an good deep-clean/intensive tile cleaner (correctly diluted) on the surface to start with; if this still leaves surface-polish like residues then try something like wax-off.
As for the crunching sound I think this will be due to some of the tiles being de-bonded from the substrate but I doubt that this is caused by the acid clean. Many of the old floors that I have seen have had some de-bonded areas. Sorry I've no really helpful suggestions other than if really bad then lift and replace the affected areas.

Thanks for the advice re cleaner

 

[SimonC]

you can try this some times it will do the trick in small areas first clean the floor then reseal the tiles
then drill some small pilot holes in the grout joints about 15 to 20mm deep now get some plastercine and go round the perimter on the cracking tiles about 15 mm high now get some ardion 90 mix with 80% water now poor in side the plastcine ring abot 1o mm high this will be draw into the floor through the ho;es now just gently
tap the top of the tiles this will draw the mixture along the under side of the tiles leave for about 1 hour if the mixture has all gone add a little more if not clean away the exsses .over the next 24 hour the water will dry out leaving the ardion 90 to set .

 

[SimonC]

you can try this some times it will do the trick in small areas first clean the floor then reseal the tiles
then drill some small pilot holes in the grout joints about 15 to 20mm deep now get some plastercine and go round the perimter on the cracking tiles about 15 mm high now get some ardion 90 mix with 80% water now poor in side the plastcine ring abot 1o mm high this will be draw into the floor through the ho;es now just gently
tap the top of the tiles this will draw the mixture along the under side of the tiles leave for about 1 hour if the mixture has all gone add a little more if not clean away the exsses .over the next 24 hour the water will dry out leaving the ardion 90 to set .

Thanks Ray, sounds like a good idea - leaving the solution to soak into the substrate, will look into this. Cheers