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Carey in Cozumel

Jun 6, 2002, 8:59 PM

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Saltillo Tile Help

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I'm on my second house here. Used coralish-red saltillo in the first place and, once it was polished up, it looked marvelous and only needs another run over about once per year.Unfortunately I wasn't around when the tile that looked so good was delivered and installed. So I made an error , as it turned out, and accepted a defective batch the second go round. It looked fine to me raw -- just a bit grainer which, in retrospect, should have been a dead give away.But I figured once my tile polishers worked their magic, all would be well with the floor. NOt so, it looks dull and as though it has a film of dust on it. Mal! the polishers tell me. the tile was bad -- not their work.Anyway, here I am unhappy with my grainy, dull floor which hasn't been treated with anything except a bit of floor polishing wax as far as I can tell.I could pave over it but what a mess and of course the doors will have to be shaved and there will be stubbing of toes going into the bathroom. And the expense is not nothing.I thought about painting it with some type of enamel paint or somehow sealing it or making it feel smoother and softer underfoot and perhaps look a little shinier.Any suggestions or should I just learn to live with it. I have seen aceito de linaza bandied about in connection with tile. It's one of my favorite products but surely that wouldn't do the trick?? Wouldn't it leave a greazy film that would be difficult to remove and would attract even MORE dust?Any input would be Welcome in Cozumel.Gracias!
Carey in Cozumel

DavidMTY

Jun 6, 2002, 9:39 PM

Post #2 of 9 (11698 views)

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Saltillo Tile Help

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Esteban

Jun 6, 2002, 9:47 PM

Post #3 of 9 (11696 views)

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Saltillo Tile Help

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It's difficult to understand exactly what happened because Saltillo tile needs such special care when it is installed. To begin with, it is a very porous tile and has to be sealed and sanded, properly, at various stages of the installation. If it was not sealed before you grouted, the grout could have easily clouded the surface. I would say you might(not sure if the surface has been compromised beyond help) be able to SAND the surface and reseal with several coats. As to what is available in your area to seal will be a good question. Do some research. Anyway, you want the surface to be cleaned, sanded, sealed and then probably finished with something that will be similar to Thompsons Water Seal.

Carey

Jun 8, 2002, 7:06 PM

Post #4 of 9 (11696 views)

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Thanks and more

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First of all, let me thank you both so much or your quick response and helpful suggestions. Secondly I apologize for not getting back here sooner. The prodigy internet connection on Cozumel island has been abysmal for the past two weeks. I haven't been able to connect for longer than 3 minutes for 36 hours. A march on PROFECO looms large.So I'm typing quickly in hopes I can get it all in before I'm cut off.The kind of tile I have -- well, I don't know if it's saltillo or not. Just assumed it was. They make it 3 blocks from my house by dumping powdery clay into a square mold and pressing it in a early industrial revolution type machine. LIke big apple press only for square apples.After it's pressed into shape, they apply color to the surface of one side and then let it age and dry for awhile.You're supposed to let it sit on your floors for at least a couple of weeks, preferably longer before treating it. I did all this.Problem is, I think, it sat out in the sun next to the old shed at the tile guys place too long waiting for them to fix the flat tire so they could haul the stuff over.In the process, the colorant they added to the surface must have granulated and deteriorated a bit so that when the tile polishers came and did the usual clean, sand and pouring on of something that they then polished onto the tile with a big electric polisher, it didn't come out shiny and glossy like it did on my other place.In other words. Same floor treatment guys using the same technique. Same tilemaker -- but this batch was defective and I didn't catch it.They call it "mosacica" around these parts.I can ask my polishers for their advice but I think they only know one thing to do and they've already done it.I will certainly look into the Crest Seal Color Enhancer if you guys still think that might work after hearing my more detailed description here.I really appreciate the help.And while I'm at it, another question. But I think I will pose that seperately so we don't get the threads all clogged up.
Again, thank you so much. I'll investigate.Muchisimas Gracias

Esteban

Jun 9, 2002, 8:54 PM

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Thanks and more

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Doesn't sound like Saltillo tile to me. Sounds more like concrete tile of which I'm not to familiar with but have seen it used. I know some folks installing it right now so I'll check with the guys there and see if I can see what your are up against. Basically, if it's defective, you'll probably have to take it out and buy new and see if you can make a deal to at least save a little money.

DavidG

Jun 12, 2002, 2:45 PM

Post #6 of 9 (11695 views)

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Tile here called Pasta (sp)

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Carey,The tile they make here on the island is pronounced "Pasta" . I am sorry I don't know the spelling.DavidG
Cozumel

Cynthia Mason

Jun 25, 2002, 7:51 PM

Post #7 of 9 (11695 views)

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Thanks and more

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: Doesn't sound like Saltillo tile to me. Sounds more like concrete tile of which I'm not to familiar with but have seen it used. I know some folks installing it right now so I'll check with the guys there and see if I can see what your are up against. Basically, if it's defective, you'll probably have to take it out and buy new and see if you can make a deal to at least save a little money.
I think you have concrete tile. It is called mosaicos and do not despair. I have this and you need a concrete sealer similar to Thompson's water seal. I have one I use and mix with water. It is slick as glass after you treat it - especially when wet. Saltillo tile is earthen material and concrete tile is made of concrete. It is very inexpensive and lasts forever.

rene

Jul 13, 2002, 4:57 PM

Post #8 of 9 (11698 views)

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Saltillo Tile Help

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: I'm on my second house here. Used coralish-red saltillo in the first place and, once it was polished up, it looked marvelous and only needs another run over about once per year.: Unfortunately I wasn't around when the tile that looked so good was delivered and installed. So I made an error , as it turned out, and accepted a defective batch the second go round. It looked fine to me raw -- just a bit grainer which, in retrospect, should have been a dead give away.: But I figured once my tile polishers worked their magic, all would be well with the floor. NOt so, it looks dull and as though it has a film of dust on it. Mal! the polishers tell me. the tile was bad -- not their work.: Anyway, here I am unhappy with my grainy, dull floor which hasn't been treated with anything except a bit of floor polishing wax as far as I can tell.: I could pave over it but what a mess and of course the doors will have to be shaved and there will be stubbing of toes going into the bathroom. And the expense is not nothing.: I thought about painting it with some type of enamel paint or somehow sealing it or making it feel smoother and softer underfoot and perhaps look a little shinier.: Any suggestions or should I just learn to live with it. I have seen aceito de linaza bandied about in connection with tile. It's one of my favorite products but surely that wouldn't do the trick?? Wouldn't it leave a greazy film that would be difficult to remove and would attract even MORE dust?: Any input would be Welcome in Cozumel.: Gracias!
: Carey in CozumelCarey,Yes the basic problem is the porosity of the tiles which are probably not saltillos but a different, sandier, clay paver. Some people actually prefer these tiles as they're less slippery. If you don't like them. The only thing you can do is tear them up or get a sayer lack polyurethane sealer and try to put several coats on a sample tile. Say five or six coats until enough layers are built up that it will become very shiny. Buy small containers as once the can is opened it becomes activated and will harden within a few hours.

Big Curl

Sep 26, 2002, 9:44 AM

Post #9 of 9 (11700 views)

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Saltillo Tile Help

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: I'm on my second house here. Used coralish-red saltillo in the first place and, once it was polished up, it looked marvelous and only needs another run over about once per year.: Unfortunately I wasn't around when the tile that looked so good was delivered and installed. So I made an error , as it turned out, and accepted a defective batch the second go round. It looked fine to me raw -- just a bit grainer which, in retrospect, should have been a dead give away.: But I figured once my tile polishers worked their magic, all would be well with the floor. NOt so, it looks dull and as though it has a film of dust on it. Mal! the polishers tell me. the tile was bad -- not their work.: Anyway, here I am unhappy with my grainy, dull floor which hasn't been treated with anything except a bit of floor polishing wax as far as I can tell.: I could pave over it but what a mess and of course the doors will have to be shaved and there will be stubbing of toes going into the bathroom. And the expense is not nothing.: I thought about painting it with some type of enamel paint or somehow sealing it or making it feel smoother and softer underfoot and perhaps look a little shinier.: Any suggestions or should I just learn to live with it. I have seen aceito de linaza bandied about in connection with tile. It's one of my favorite products but surely that wouldn't do the trick?? Wouldn't it leave a greazy film that would be difficult to remove and would attract even MORE dust?: Any input would be Welcome in Cozumel.: Gracias!
: Carey in Cozumel
While I'm no tile expert I have installed Saltillo tile in the past!
I installed the tile outside were it is exposed to the elements.
I used two different type of sealers and I've had no problems with the tile.
I did not sand the tiles because I like the raw uneven effect each tile has.
You may have to sand the tile since you've already had a sealer applied.
Once you do that I recommend you first use a penitrating sealer, then a non-penitrating sealer.
The later of the two should leave your tile with a nice shine.