Cowboy tiler left tiles in a mess! Help!

Mrs Smith

Hi all. I am not sure if this thread should be in the interior design and decorating category, so please feel free to move it if necessary.
We have just moved into our newly built house, tiler did three bathrooms and a large run of tiles through kitchen, utility, sun room and hall.
Tiling job not bad but it was beneath him to clean off the tiles. We are left with the task of cleaning them down, they are v dusty and bits of blobs of grout in the odd place.
We want to seal the tiles also, but first we need to clean them- what is the best way or can anyone recommend any product to clean them properly?
Many thanks

mickdw

Couple of washes and then buff to a shine with dry clothe usually

Joey the lips

Couple of washes as said. There is also an acid if its stubborn. I doubt he was a cowboy though just because of this. They usually require cleaning for about a week unless you use the acid.

Mrs Smith

Thanks v much for that, we'll be busy over the weekend then so.
We have had a few issues with the tiler that warrant him being branded a cowboy, but I won't go into it here- I could write a book at this stage :rolleyes:
Thanks again for the advice.

BIMP

Use lithofin products to clean tiles. expensive but v good. use pointy piece of timber to scrap any grout, etc. if natural stone tiles, use litofin stain stop then seal 24 hrs later with lithofin sealer. im not sales man by the way just know wat im taliking about

Wonky Knees

Did you ask the tiler to come back? If so what was said?

wait4me

Joey the lips wrote: »

There is also an acid if its stubborn.

A quick question. I remember a tiler using this acid (Sulphuric H2SO4) I think) on my tiles a few years ago. Where do get the acid and how do you apply it? Thanks in advance...

muffler

wait4me wrote: »

A quick question. I remember a tiler using this acid (Sulphuric H2SO4) I think) on my tiles a few years ago. Where do get the acid and how do you apply it? Thanks in advance...

Im not sure if you can buy sulphuric acid over the counter any more. I'm open to correction on this.

Joey the lips

wait4me wrote: »

A quick question. I remember a tiler using this acid (Sulphuric H2SO4) I think) on my tiles a few years ago. Where do get the acid and how do you apply it? Thanks in advance...

I suspect this is an attempt to procure a lethal and quite deadly acid or else a very dangerous misunderstanding as to the nature of the material sought. I will not be able to help you i am very sorry

muffler wrote: »

Im not sure if you can buy sulphuric acid over the counter any more. I'm open to correction on this.

Your quite right. This is because it has been used quite extensivly during the troubles to make an acid b0mb

wait4me

Joey the lips wrote: »

.....or else a very dangerous misunderstanding as to the nature of the material sought.

Yup, an obviously dangerous misunderstanding of what I am seeking especially if other stuff can be made from it! :eek: Lucky I (and not herself) do the DIY at home and ask the wrong questions.

So what do I get to clean grout off tiles!

zuroph

what type of tiles are they? Depending on what they are, sealant will or wont work on them, many tile shops will sell u a sealant anyway, but it will eventually make your tiles looks worse.
hoover the tiles first (yes up the walls too). then hot soapy water. then let dry and hoover again. then dry dust.

Joey the lips

wait4me wrote: »

Yup, an obviously dangerous misunderstanding of what I am seeking especially if other stuff can be made from it! :eek: Lucky I (and not herself) do the DIY at home and ask the wrong questions.

So what do I get to clean grout off tiles!

Just use any of the products mentioned in post 5 above and you will be fine. As also mentioned above scrub the tiles to the best of your ability as most chemical cleaners do strip a certain degree of the coating. Although the more expensive the tile the thicker the coating. Generally speaking that is.

me_right_one

Well where can any other type of acid be got?

Joey the lips

me_right_one wrote: »

Well where can any other type of acid be got?

For what? You can buy vinager in a shop this is a very good cleaning agent for cleaning lime from taps.

me_right_one

Joey the lips wrote: »

For what? You can buy vinager in a shop this is a very good cleaning agent for cleaning lime from taps.

For anything! Frosting glass, etching metal patterns, cleaning pipes etc. I'm just curious

Joey the lips

me_right_one wrote: »

For anything! Frosting glass, etching metal patterns, cleaning pipes etc. I'm just curious

Try a pharmacist. Bring your licence/passort They usually take your name and address when buying certain acids. Especially curious people

Mrs Smith

Thanks for all of the advice offered- and sorry for delay in thanking you all- we got in a good tiler recommended to us by lady in tile shop, and he has worked wonders, could definitely recommend him.
End of a nightmare! Thanks again.