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September 27, 2009
Rehabbing '30's Tile
Hello--we are renovating a Victorian (Victorian style?) built in 1903....we have limited $$ for the whole house so our bathroom becomes low priority to other things. I originally thought we could keep all the 30's fixtures that were desriable--subway tile on walls, clawfoot tub, mosaic tile on floor.
Upon another inspection w/ contractor yesterday, the floor really looks grim. I asked him if tile could be re-grouted or anything, and he said it was so old it would come out and it was better to re-do it. I am going to price it out, but wondering if anyone has ever brought this kind of tile back to life.
Thanks!
Comments
I have the original 1899 fixtures, floor, and wall tiles in my bathroom [except for a c. 1910 pedestal sink, from a house from the next block]. I've maintained it with an initial heavy cleaning with "Zud", the use of "Liquid Nails" to re-attach loose wall tiles, a realization that an antique house doesn't have to appear to be in "mint" condition, and a willingness to ignore self-serving lazy contractors saying it's "so old it would come out and it was better to re-do it". I wouldn't have it any other way.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at September 27, 2009 11:52 AM
use diluted muriatic acid to clean it...scrape out the loose grout w/ a grout knife or grout saw...reattach loose tiles w/ thinset...regrout
Posted by: eman1234 at September 27, 2009 1:47 PM
Thanks Eman....that is the routine I vaguely remembered from renovating many moons (and houses) ago, I appreciate the instruction. I will try Zud too, Bob, to maintain it.
Posted by: sogo at September 27, 2009 4:56 PM
Looks gorgeous in the photo. Good luck.
Posted by: mopar at September 27, 2009 10:06 PM
Test the muriatic acid in a corner before going nuts--either it does what you want or it ruins the surface.
Posted by: vanburenproud at September 27, 2009 10:11 PM
Zud, a very heavy duty scouring powder, is less extreme than muriatic acid. Used once, or maybe every 10 years or so, it will NOT ruin the tile surface (although testing it in a corner would still be a good idea).
Posted by: Bob Marvin at September 28, 2009 8:01 AM
Thanks for the comments...I will try the Zud first. Meeting with the contractor Thursday--who has no interest in increasing $$ or work for the job as he is getting plenty of both, btw--so I want to be educated in my request. I love the idea of keeping a 79 year old bathroom intact, both aesthetically and financially, but the tub, sink and tile are very grubby; not cracked or broken so my first choice is restoration.
Posted by: sogo at September 28, 2009 9:04 AM
Thanks for the comments...I will try the Zud first. Meeting with the contractor Thursday--who has no interest in increasing $$ or work for the job as he is getting plenty of both, btw--so I want to be educated in my request. I love the idea of keeping a 79 year old bathroom intact, both aesthetically and financially, but the tub, sink and tile are very grubby; not cracked or broken so my first choice is restoration.
Posted by: sogo at September 28, 2009 9:20 AM
Good for you for avoiding a big landfill dump!
Good luck! The tub might be a good candidate for a re-enameling.
Posted by: vanburenproud at September 29, 2009 7:37 AM
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