Tiles are a great way to add beauty and elegance to any room in the house. The problem with tessellated tiles is that they often show wear and tear over time, making them look unsightly. If you want your tessellated tiles looking brand new again, there are some steps you can take!
Remove Any Loose Tiles
Carefully remove any loose tiles from the tessellated tile floor. If you don’t, they may chip and break as you try to get them off later. Put a blue masking tape around each section that will be removed so that it can be easily identified during installation.
Use an adhesive remover or floor stripper to remove the grout from between each tessellated tile. Apply it liberally, and then let it sit for about 15 minutes before scrubbing off with a floor brush or scouring pad.
If you want, use an adhesive remover that also has a colorant so that when you apply new grout, the tiles will match.
In case the adhesive remover doesn’t work, try using a stronger floor stripper and let it sit for longer before scrubbing off with a brush or scouring pad. Be sure to check that there is no glue residue on any of your tessellated tile pieces if you use this method!
Clean Up the Area Before You Start
Make sure to use a vacuum cleaner so that you don’t leave any debris behind on your floor when you’re done! You may also want to mask off the edges of your tessellated tile with painter’s tape or blue painters’ tape for safety reasons as well.
Use Glue Re-Affix the Loose Tile
Re-affix the loose tile using glue. Once it’s dried, use a floor scraper to smooth out any wrinkles and bubbles in the adhesive. You can also use a damp cloth or wet sponge with water if you want to help make sure that your tessellated tiles are as clean as possible before installation!
Use Epoxy Putty or Wood Filler to Repair Chips
Repair chips with epoxy putty or wood filler. You can also use a minwax compound to fill any gaps in the tessellated tile, allowing it to repair and cover the chip without leaving an unsightly spot on your floor! You mustn’t attempt this if there is still adhesive residue in the area, as it will make your tessellated tiles impossible to clean without chipping or peeling.
Scrape Away Paint Splashes
Use a wire brush or scouring pad to scrape any dried, painted areas off the floor (especially in corners) before you put on new grout and start tessellating your tiles! This will ensure that there are no paint remnants left over after installation.
Remove Ingrained Dirt from Tile
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust, sand, or other dirt that might have gotten stuck in between the tessellated tile’s cracks and crevices before you install new grout. This will make your floor look as clean as possible when it is all said and done!
Consider Whether you Need to Apply Sealer
Consider whether you need to apply sealer. If your tessellated tiles have a high gloss finish, they may not require any sealing agent or protection. You can also use polyurethane as well for this purpose if desired. If your tiles are low-gloss and don’t show grime easily, you may want to use a sealant with UV protection. This will keep them looking just like the day that they were installed for many years!
In case your tessellated tiles start to show some wear and tear, which is not uncommon over time, consider using an acrylic coating or polyurethane in between layers of grout.
If you prefer a more natural-looking finish, consider using linseed oil when applying your grout between tessellated tile pieces! This will give the entire floor an even sheen and keep it looking its best for many years to come.
Buff Up Floor to a Soft Sheen
Using a wet sponge or cloth, buff the tessellated tiles with water and then use an electric buffer at low speed to get rid of any grit or dust that has collected on them since installation! This will leave your newly-grouted floor looking perfect when you’re done!
The process of restoring tessellated tiles is difficult but not impossible. It all depends on your flooring condition and what can be done to fix it. Be sure to check your local hardware store for adhesive remover if you need it!
