tile - please help.

[Jon]

This surface is some sort of tile, the sample I have is 12x12 and appears to be made of the same stuff red brick is made of.

It has a finished surface, could be heat treated finish but the problem is it has efflorescence or some other white powdery substance on it.

Customer said at one time someone used muriatic acid to clean it, when done unknown, a few years perhaps.

What do I use to clean this with, I know my degreasers would damage it and have not done brick or tile before so need help please.

Once clean would sealing prevent this from reoccurring?

Thanks,

Jon

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Beep beep, the OPC Roadrunner coming through.

Jon Fleischer
Oasis Pressure Cleaning
(909) 792-2247
Fax (909) 792-5633

[This message has been edited by Jon (edited July 20, 2000).]

 

[hotwaterwisard]

You will probobly have to neutralize the acid first. Soap or baking soda. Then wash it as you would any other concrete surface.

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Hotwaterwizard@aol.com John DeRosa If you have a Machine Problem, I'm here to help.

 

[Ron Strickland/Xtrerior S]

Jon,
There is a product called CSP that is formulated to clean tile and grout without eching or frosting the surface. It will clean glazed and unglazed ceramic, quarry, mexican tile without damage. It is especially good for efflourecence. Email me and I will send you a sample to test.
Ron/Xterior

 

[Glenn]

Jon,
Sounds like you have some red dyed concrete squares (tile). If it is what I'm thinking of they are used in landscaping alot. If this is what you are talking about it must have a failed sealer of some type on it. Try a small test area first. I wouldn't recommend heat on this application. Let us know what you find. Hard to help when I don't really know what you're talking about.
Glenn

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"Hmmm, If everyone has a photographic memory... mine must be out of film."

 

[Jon]

Thanks for your help guys,

Now I can move forwards without worry about damaging it more.

Glenn, this is not the thick or heavy stuff you buy from the Home improvment centers, it is perhaps 1/2 thick at most, just like tile you would put in a house only made for outside.

I will test the sample I have before daring to attack the full job.

Thanks all

Jon