Hi Everyone, I really hope you can help!
My first job was to clean white limestone tiles. I cleaned it with high pressure machine but it looked like was not cleaned ( there were white spots and tiles looked discolored) than I have used Tile Doctor Remove product to remove the sealer and then I used Pro-Clean Tile, Stone and Grout Cleaner and NanoTech Ultra Clean penetrating Tile & Stone Clean but the limestone tiles still look discolored. Than I used scrubbing machine and still the same problem. I really need your advise what to do to get solid white color before I seal the tiles. I have attached the photo. Any advice highly appreciated!

Many thanksIMG_0723.jpg

Hi there seems to be a lot of cracked tiles in pic is that the effect you want .and are tiles solid theres a bit of grout missing in places

Hi Jey,

cracks were already there, tiles are solid, there was a bit missing grout but all is solid.

Did you use a high pressure washer inside a property? You say this is your first job, is it your floor or a customers?

I used floor scrubbing machine and portable 1200 with turbo hybrid spinner, yes I just started tiles cleaning business.

If all is solid, why are the tiles cracked and the grout coming away? Do you know what the substrate is? If there is grout missing and cracked tiles, the water may have gone through and damaged the substrate.

As for the stains, how long have the tiles been down? What has caused the staining? Limestone is very sensitive to acids, be very careful what cleaners you use on it as you may make it a lot worse.

I wont use a spinner on natural stone as they put to much water down.

Something going on with this floor, stone is so easily stained as most of us know.

Originally Posted by hillhead

Something going on with this floor, stone is so easily stained as most of us know.

Could be staining from grey adhesive.

might be dot and dab fixing

thing is that before cleaning there was no signs of this stains, after cleaning they have appeared. I have used a mild alkaline-based cleaner which should not make discoloration. . Or do you thing that the stains were there but because were dirty the stains were not visible? those tiles are about ten years old.

first photo is beforeIMG_0667.jpg IMG_0670.jpg

second is after cleaningIMG_0723.jpg

How long after cleaning did you take the pics..?

Did you do this floor today?

Beat me Dave...I think it is still drying from cleaning.

just after, but I went there following day and the same, and i went there today and still the same. i was thinking that it might go after few weeks, but to leave them for few weeks i would have to seal them but if i seal the tiles now before i find out what caused the stains, i will have to remove the sealant again if the stains dont go away...

The floor could of had a color intensifier applied to it when it was installed and you have removed most of it from the stone but not all of it. Did you use Tile Doctors sealer & coating remover?

yes, first I have used Tile Doctor Pro-Clean Tile, Stone and Grout Cleaner and I saw the stains than I have used the sealer remover to remove the sealer and then I used again Pro-Clean Tile, Stone and Grout Cleaner and NanoTech Ultra Clean penetrating Tile & Stone Clean. then I thought that I removed just some of previous sealer and I decided to get the scrubbing machine to remove all the sealant and then I have repited the cleaning method as before and still the same. I tried today to use sand paper and the got a bit better but stains still there. I dont know what I should do next. House is still empty but everyone is coming back next week and I have to resolve the problem before I seal the tiles.

Where is the job?

South London

It so difficult to advise with only photos. The trouble is this damage could have been there before you started cleaning due to wrong cleaners being used on the floor. Did you do a test area on the floor when you quoted the job?

i did the test before i started the cleaning but not before I quoted..... i am soooo behind already! I need to get rid of those stains asap or prove that they were there before I started the cleaning! trouble is how find out if they were there or I have done it..?

cleaning products were defo correct, no acid based, tested etc.

I would have another go with the sealer & coating remover. Put this on the stains and leave to dwell for 30mins. Do not let it dry out and do not add water until you you want to clean it off.

ok I try again on Monday, many thanks for your help. I will keep u updated!!!

Do you know what limestone it is?

Hard to tell by the pics

It certainly is a lot cleaner than before and I think given the state of those tiles pre clean, they would be happy

How much are you charging for limestone cleaning and sealing ?

Sorry but cant really say on prices, depends on every job as i do not have a set price.

sorry stupid question, I just wanted to have an idea that I dont charge to little for next time.. This was almost for free because my main job was to do two bathrooms and I have offered the cleaning of the kitchen floor for additional 100 just to make the client happy but this was a huge mistake and such a nightmare! oh people learning on mistakes..

Did you get any training in floor cleaning?