Stains on tiles since they were laid a year ago!!

[Charlotte Braham]

hi all I’m new here but I’m at loss now it’s been nearly a year since we had some white porcelain tiles laid with underfloor heating in the living room and hall way however shortly after they were laid I noticed they were stained I tried loads of cleaners some seemed to make it better some did nothing anyway I had the tiler back out he said he couldn’t see what I was on about but said he would clean them down anyway .. this didn’t make much difference anyway I have started to notice it more and more I’ve used so much different things but the marks are still there it’s not on all the tiles but some are worse than others does anyone have any ideas what this could be as it’s been like this from day one it’s not dirt and the floors are always kept clean any help would be fab thanks Charlotte the picture I have just posted they are just mopped clean so still abit wet it’s hard to get a good pic as in certain lighting on the camera it doesn’t show well

 

[Simon Dale]

Hi Charlotte its grout residue. Did you get these from Wickes ?

 

[Charlotte Braham]

Yes they were from Wickes

 

[Charlotte Braham]

Is it possible to remove!? Do you know

 

[One Day]

Yes they were from Wickes

Aaaaaaaand there's the problem! Wickes!
Porous surface has held the colour in the grout.
Try Lithofin Power clean first of all.
If that doesn't work, then something stronger, although it might damage the grout.

 

[Charlotte Braham]

Omg is it actually Wickes and not the tiler lol I rang Wickes at the time and they pointed me back to the tiler lol .. ok I will try that.. It was an expensive job with all the underfloor heating but I’m literally on the verge of ripping it all up if I can’t find something to fix it. I’m guessing Wickes won’t take blame for it will they?

 

[Charlotte Braham]

Is this the one?

 

[Charlotte Braham]

Would u recommend a decent scrubbing brush also .. the ones I buy either seem too harsh or fall apart lol x

 

[Lithofin BOB]

An alkaline cleaner would be the first to test and safest as above, as they may be a smear of polymer/ cementisiouse residue remaining from the grout install.
With the upmost respect to impish , I would test Lithofin intensive cleaner. Specific porcelain cleaner from that range
Others available

Test on one tile only, dilute product 1-3
Apply generously to one tile and scrub over with a white emulsifying pad every 1 min of 8-10 mins
Rinse several times and towel dry
Check the tile ,repeat if req
If clear work through in small controlled sections
If this has not moved , you may need to test a cement residue remover as above
Once this residue is removed the floor will be easier to maintain.

 

[Charlotte Braham]

Fab thanks so much I will have a look online now!! I pray this solves the problem!!

 

[Charlotte Braham]

I will add I’ve tried loads of cleaners such as HG TILE CLEANER - LTP POWER STRIPPER .. so would you still recommend the intensive cleaner rather than power clean?

 

[Lithofin BOB]

Do you still have the power stripper LTP.

 

[Charlotte Braham]

No I’ve used it all why? 🙂

 

[Lithofin BOB]

I wondered how you used it, this will be an alkaline product and a good one.

did you use a white pad, scrub every min of the suggested time or apply and wipe off after the suggested time.

 

[Charlotte Braham]

I think I applied waited abit then scrubbed for a bit with a normal kitchen green scouter then wiped off I think

 

[Charlotte Braham]

I would of done it as per the instructions but that wasn’t scrubbing every minute no 🙁

 

[Lithofin BOB]

Did this make any difference, if not you may need to test an acidic based cement residue remover specific to porcelain tiles as impish.

 

[Charlotte Braham]

I can’t remember really I think both the above cleaners made some difference but not massive the stains were still visible

 

[Lithofin BOB]

As above , test a specific cement/ grout remover for porcelain tiles on one tile first, white pad from a tile shop.

 

[Charlotte Braham]

Fab I will order the power clean now and let you know how I get on.. thanks for all your advice

 

[Simon Dale]

Hi Charlotte. On the box of tiles it says to seal them. Looked at a job a few weeks ago with same problem. I tried to clean them but couldn't remove !!

 

[Charlotte Braham]

Hi Charlotte. On the box of tiles it says to seal them. Looked at a job a few weeks ago with same problem. I tried to clean them but couldn't remove !!

Hi they were sealed but I think this was done once it was laid 🙁

 

[CJ]

Don’t, whatever you do, use a green kitchen scourer, they leach green dye, and you’ll probably scrub it into the pores.

 

[McLovin]

Just my two cents but any tile from Wickes that needs sealing should be avoided. I have had problems with Wickes tiles in the past. Its not worth the stress that comes with the job.

 

[mpf]

Just my two cents but any tile from Wickes that needs sealing should be avoided. I have had problems with Wickes tiles in the past. Its not worth the stress that comes with the job.

Do you mind if I ask why? I haven't used them personally, just interested in the issues you have had? Sealers not working on them?

 

[Tile Shop]

Seen this before..... These tiles look similar to the Pamesa Crystalline. If they are the same type of tile, they are glazed porcelain which majority of the time wouldn't need sealing. However to get a higher gloss, the glaze used contains micro crystals and the tile goes through an additional polishing process. The polishing opens up the crystals and leaves them prone to staining (tell tale sign, but take a very close look, with a magnifying glass if you need one, and the staining should look almost speckly in appearance).

They need to be sealed before grouting (wickes should have pointed this out to you either verbally or by instructions). Following a few tests, the best method I have found was with the (sorry @Lithofin BOB ) LTP MPG sealer. Apply with one microfibre cloth and immediately give it a firm buff in with a second. Do this twice leaving and hour or two drying time in between and they should be fine. Once you have got the tiles clean, you would also need to do this to protect them from now on. But Bob is godlike when it comes to this stuff so if he offers any further advise on products or methods, take his over mine 🙂

However regardless of how well sealed they are, without regular maintenance with the correct cleaner (preferably pH neutral) and immediate cleanup of marks and spillages, these among other tiles can still stain. Not saying you have done, but if a floor is treated like a piece of s***, it will look like a piece of s*** (my boss taught me that saying). Standard supermarket off the shelf cleaners, many contain citric acid which will eat the sealer in minutes. Whichever sealer you use, go for the manufacturers recommended everyday cleaner to keep it in good working order.

I would try all the previous posters cleaning methods, but unfortunately, if it is the type of tile I'm thinking of, chances are they are beyond help. Although I would be extremely delighted for you if you can prove me wrong. Best of luck.