My laminate floor is peeling up, can you help?

As part of our floor refurbishment services we can carry out small repairs to floors. This can include securing small areas of laminate flooring. If the damage is more serious you may be better having the floor repaired before arranging cleaning. If you’d like to provide some images we would be happy to advise over email.

Could cleaning my laminate floor cause discolouration?

We always use specifically formulated cleaning solutions made for the types of floor we are working on. By doing this, we avoid the risk of discolouring or damaging laminate floor whilst cleaning it.

Can you remove stains from laminate flooring?

Our expertise extends to all types of floor cleaning – including laminate. Whilst we can’t promise to remove all stains completely, in the vast majority of cases we are able to do so.

Can you clean outdoor flagstone floor?

Yes, we can provide the same high level stone cleaning service on outdoor stone floors including flagstone patios.

Do you clean and restore slate bathrooms and wetrooms?

Yes, of course. Because slate is less porous than most natural stone it is not uncommon to see it used in bathrooms and even wetrooms. Such use places high demands on the slate, with the material being frequently exposed to water, as well as cleaning products, which can leave undesirable marks such as efflorescence. Not only can we carry out thorough cleaning and restoration work in these situations, we can apply the most appropriate sealants to help protect your investment too.

Do you clean all types of slate?

Slate can come in many types of shapes and sizes as well as different textures. In all cases, we can work with you to find the best solution for your slate. We can clean and restore slate that is riven, or semi riven, where the tile has been made by splitting the naturally occurring rock down a seam. We also work with other types of slate, such as those that have been honed or polished to a smoother finish. Regardless, get in touch to discuss how we can find the best cleaning and restoration solution for your needs.

Do I need to seal my slate floor?

While slate is relatively good at resisting water (why it’s often used in roofing), it is still somewhat vulnerable to liquids, especially the acids found in food and drink. We would strongly suggest that a sealant is periodically applied to your slate floor. This will also help protect against scratches, to which slate is much more vulnerable. We’d suggest that you regularly and carefully sweep and vacuum to remove any dirt or grit that accumulates on the floor as this can leave scratches when trodden on. A sealant can create a protective layer, meaning that this barrier gets worn down by such erosion, rather than the stone itself. We can consult with you to find the best sealant for your slate floor.

How do you seal a floor?

The process we carry out will depend on your specific floor and the use that it gets. There will be variations for different materials and the finish that you wish to achieve. The process will also be impacted by the full scale of work that we carry out, for example which types of cleaning and restoration are being performed. It is not unusual to apply several layers of sealant if this is necessary and appropriate.

How often should I have my floor sealed?

Firstly, a floor should always be sealed when it is first laid. Get in touch with us straight away if this hasn’t been carried out already. It will also need periodic sealing in order to protect the floor on an ongoing basis. How often sealing is required depends on a number of factors such as the specific material used for your flooring and the kind of use it has to survive. For example, a bathroom with natural tiles that is frequently exposed to water may require sealing more often than porcelain tiles in a kitchen. Frequent maintenance, such as sweeping and hoovering up the dust and grit that erodes floors when trodden on can help. Once the sealant is worn away, not only will scratches be more likely, the risk of staining or permanent damage from liquids is drastically increased as there is no protective layer to prevent absorption. If in doubt get in touch with our team of friendly technicians who can discuss your needs.

What type of sealant do you use?

We have a range of high quality Faber products which will help protect your floors from damage. As every type of floor is different and has myriad uses, we will consult with you to work out the best way to protect your investment. We can apply topical sealants which form a protective layer on top of the floor, or if needed an impregnating sealant, which will be partially absorbed into the stone or tiles. There are many variations of these sealants and as each floor type has unique characteristics and vulnerabilities we can work with you to find and apply the the best kind of protection.

I have just had a new floor laid. Does it need sealing?

Absolutely. If this was not carried out by those who fitted the floor get in touch immediately to ensure that the appropriate protection can be applied as promptly as possible. We would recommend that this is carried out once the flooring is in place as this means the grout, which is generally more porous, will also be protected.

Why do you seal a floor?

We apply a sealer to a floor in order to protect it. Different types of floor, both manmade and natural stone, are vulnerable to different sorts of damage. They can all be harmed by chemicals to a certain degree, even by the acid in food and drink spillages, as they will be very slightly porous. As well as this, they can be worn away by physical damage. Even foot traffic can have a big impact if dust or grit has built up on the floor, since it increases abrasions. A sealant will reduce the chance of a spill becoming a stain by reducing the floor’s ability to absorb liquids. It can also help protect the appearance of the floor by forming a protective barrier. A sealant won’t prevent all damage and it will still wear away over time, but it will help your floors last longer, helping protect your investment. Sealants will even help protect your floor from UV radiation which can lead to fading over the lifespan of a high value stone or tiled floor. We can consult with you to find the best sealant for your floor and the type of use it gets to make sure it receives the best form of protection.

How can I be sure there is Minton tiling under my existing floor?

The only way to know for sure is to take up a small part of the floor in an inconspicuous area. If you don’t feel confident in doing this we suggest you get help from an experienced pro.

How can I protect my Minton tiles from damage from my kids or pets?

We stock a range of advanced sealers that are designed to protect from everyday wear and tear such as spillages and allow for damp mopping of paw prints or claw marks. Eventually the sealer will break down and need to be reapplied, but it should provide a high level of protection for at least 12 months or so.

Some of my tiles are loose, can you help?

Yes we can, securing loose tiles is a simple job for a professional and we’d be happy to help

Will replacement tiles match properly with my Victorian Minton tiling?

Whilst we can’t guarantee a 100% exact colour match, on many occasions we have successfully replaced Minton tiling and our customers have been extremely satisfied with the results.