Outside Tile Surface Problem

[vall_55]

Seven years ago we installed 6 x 6 red terra cotta tile on our front porch and walkway (over concrete). We sealed the top of the tile before installing it.

After that (twice a year) I would use a commercial stripper from Home Depot and then reseal the tile with a resealer from Home Depot (the brands changed over the years). I

n the last year, the sealer began to flake and the tile discolor (picture attached). Some of the tiles have a film on the top which can be scraped.

Is this situation fixable or do we need to replace the tile?

Thanks for your help!

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[doitright]

Hi vall, Welcome! :)

I can't answer any of your questions, unless you provide a 1st name. I need it for my report. :D

Thanks for the photo. Looks like we need to call in CSI. :)

What part of the country you in?

There should be no need to replace the tile, unless you have serious degradation. It sounds like you just need to remove the coating that on there, and start over with some quality products.

Can you give us any more details? Terra Cotta tile. Is that the color or is it really a terra cotta tile? ;)

[vall_55]

Hi All!

1. My first name is Val
2. We live in CA. No snow here.
3. The flaking sealer (the white stuff in the photo) scapes off easily with a straight razor.
4. The tile is really terra cotta. We bought & installed it all ourselves.
5. The top layer of the terra cotta itself (the darker red) is peeling off, exposing the lighter red of the rest of the tile.
6. Do we need to remove the top layer & refinish it?
a. If so, how do we remove the layer?
b. How & with what do we refinish it?

Thanks!

Val L.

[csi]

val

the dark red color may be the sealer that is peeling off which had enhanced the underlying tile.

the stripper to use from hd is pro-stripper 15 minute solution.
it has been the go to chem in almost all of my saltillo situations.
it removes epoxy, polyurethane and acrylics.

it usually gets messy but the stripper works.

[Michael Meyer]

Hi Val there are a couple of possibilities, when using strippers it is a good idea to rinse back areas several times to remove the alkaline residue associated with your HD stripper. Rinse your tiles several times then use a 50/50 solution of white vinegar once, allow dwell time then rinse several more times. The application of your next product should probably be at a temperature of 65 degrees and not in direct sun. Good luck Michael of Stonehenge

[kemguru]

Hi Val :)

Houston, we have a problem. :(

Your tile is spalling. This is a direct result of using a topical sealer on a soft tile installed outdoors. Moisture finds its way into the tile, usually under/through/from the bottom, and it cannot escape because there is a thick film of seal that allows for little/no vapor transmission.

The coating needs to be removed. Depending on which seal you used, this can be easy or difficult. Jasco is popular at HD…it’s an absolute bear. Can you give us some product names?

You would seal with an Impregnator after you strip the topical, as long as the tile is not too far gone. Impregnators allow the tile to breathe, so this wont happen again, at least it cant be blamed on the impregnator if it does.

Your tile may be in trouble, though. If the “bad” spots continue to “powder” when you rub on them…well…that’s bad news. The topical seal needs to be removed to test this, of course. ;)

[vall_55]

Hi All!

Thanks for your help.

I asked my husband for the names of the tile sealers he used, & he can remember using both Jasco & Tile Lab.

What do you suggest for removing the top coating?

(For what it's worth, we're near both a Home Depot & a Lowe's for product recommendations).

Thanks again,
Val

[kemguru]

Oh no :(

You are going to have to use Methylene Chloride to strip it.

Dun Edwards carried a product called “Strip-X” that was the best retail stripper available. They private labeled that product for years, but switched manufacturers a month ago, or so. They claim it’s the same formula, so you might give DE a call. They’re all over Cali…it’s a paint store.

If you strike out, True Value Hardware carries “Sunnyside Glue & Adhesive Remover.” This is your second best option.

Coverage is approximately 50 sq.ft./gal of stripper/application.

Make sure the surface is DRY before applying.

Work in small areas. Say 5’x5’

Pour stripper into a puddle.

Spread with a grout sponge. Cake it on thick (1/4” or more) Wear big rubber gloves. ;)

Let dwell for at least 10 minutes, but no more than 20 minutes.

Splash some water on the stripper.

Scrub with a stiff nylon brush.

Splash a little more water on it.

Scrub with a green scrub pad.

Wet-vac the whole mess up.

Repeat (once the surface is dry)


Good fun, eh? :D

[vall_55]

Hi!

Thanks for the reply & suggestions.

We live in the Bay Area & it's a bit cold outside right now.

Is there a minimum temperature you'd suggest when we use the stripper?

Thanks again,
Val

[vall_55]

One more thing: I just called a Dun Edwards dealer, who told me that Bortz used to make their stripper. I checked the Bortz website, but they don't mention a stripper as an available product.

I guess we'll have to go with Sunnyside.

Val

[kemguru]

Methylene Chloride works well down to 40 degrees, or so. Optimal is 68-72.

Bortz used to make Strip-X. Most DE folks wouldn’t know it, though. Private label deals are hush hush gigs…usually. ;) I don’t know who makes it now, but one of DE’s big heads assured me the new manufacturer will mix it to their specs. Blah blah blah….did they have any stripper in stock? Bortz never advertised that product…that’s DE’s product…Bortz just made it. ;)

Sunnyside is fine, too. So no worries. :)

[vall_55]

Hi!

Thanks again for the reply.

The local Dun Edwards store manager told me Bortz had made their stripper, but he no longer had any. Want a laugh? He said that he now carries the Sunnyside.

Thanks for the info on temperature. We can work on this soon rather than wait for it to warm up a lot.

I'll post again after we apply the Sunnyside, assuming that it's at our local True Value store.

Thanks!
Val

[John Bridge]

Hi Val, Welcome. :)

I've been to the Bay Area. You could wait a couple months. ;)

Welcome aboard, Craig. :)

[csi]

the product is pro-stripper in the 15 minute solution from HD.

yes the methol chloride stuff, works great if directions are followed, made by klean strip.