Bluestone Stripping and Sealing Lake Heights - Wollongong

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We provide specialised stripping & sealing as well as all restoration solutions for Bluestone tiles

Save yourself time, effort and money and let our team of professionals bring your Bluestone back to its best possible condition.

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, please Call 1300 771 201 or use our online enquiry form.

We cover all Wollongong suburbs and all Lake Heights area

Tile Cleaners® prides itself on providing Australia's best bluestone stripping and sealing service. Our years of experience in the field of natural tile protection results in your bluestone looking its very best, protected against staining for the longest possible time. Bluestone tiles are usually quite porous and need a sealer to preserve their beauty and protect them against common staining and other damage that can be caused by your everyday spills. Sealed or not sealed, we will be able to help; our team of tile cleaning professionals will achieve the best possible results for your bluestone tiles in Lake Heights.

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No matter where your bluestone tiles are, Tile Cleaners® will strip, clean and professionally reseal them for you. In your kitchen, shower, bathroom, around the swimming pool, your backyard, outdoors or any hard to reach indoor areas. Tile Cleaners® are Australia's leading experts in bluestone tile cleaning, stripping and resealing, with our large client base varying from the largest shopping centres to schools, hospitals, clinics, small to large offices, home owners, and various other businesses, you can rest assured that you are receiving the country's highest quality service. Our thorough cleaning processes combined with the highest quality products achieve the best and freshest looking bluestone tiles, protected and preserved against staining for the longest possible time. Give us a call, we are happy to help you with all your bluestone tile enquiries, or simply enquire with us online and we will call you back as soon as we can. Call now for a free quote and find out which service suits you. Tile Cleaners® guarantee your satisfaction with our professional services. You can call us any time, we provide our tile cleaning service after hours for your convenience.

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What is Bluestone

The name "bluestone" is not a geological term and does not fall within any distinct category such as igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic. The name "bluestone" represents different rock types, so for example bluestone found in the UK can be different stone altogether when compared with the 2 prominent varieties of bluestone found in Australia. In Victoria, bluestone generally refers to a basalt, formed from the rapid cooling of lava, whereas in South Australia the name bluestone is generally given to a form of slate. Bluestone can be used indoors and out – for cladding, paving, stairs, coping, kitchen and bathroom counter tops, pool surrounds, garden edging, commercial and domestic flooring and retaining walls. Bluestone has a high degree of slip resistance. Victorian bluestone will generally be black or grey, while bluestone slate has a more beige colour.

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Sealing Bluestone Floors

Two main sealing options exist for bluestone tiles

Deep Penetrating Impregnating Sealer
(Transparent Finish/Colour Enhancing Finish)

Topical Sealer
(Gloss/Satin/Matte Finish)

A deep penetrating impregnating sealer protects bluestone and grout from water and oil based stains by chemically reacting with the surface pores using nano-technology to create a breathable protective barrier. An impregnating sealer protects the bluestone surface and grout from absorbing stains while also resulting in cleaning and maintenance becoming much easier. Australia's Deepshield® range of impregnating water based sealer's, offer long term benefits lasting for up to 10 years while Deepshield Gold®, based on the latest fluoro-bond technology lasts for up to 15 years. A penetrating impregnating transparent sealer enters the pores of your stone and, once cured will not change the look of the tile or stone. A penetrating colour enhancing sealer is designed to enhance and enrich the natural look of stone surfaces.

Tile Cleaners® are experts at applying all types of sealer and will ensure your bluestone looks its absolute best. Tile Cleaners® experienced technicians can apply a topical sealer when especially required to create a high gloss, satin sheen or matte finish to your surfaces. Topical sealer is also helpful in situations where the old solvent based sealer can not be completely removed or when required to hide certain types of damage. Topical sealer's have a life expectancy of around 3 years.

You can easily test how porous your natural bluestone is by applying a drop of water to the surface and watching how the water is absorbed by the bluestone. You can then see how any type of water based stain can be absorbed by the bluestone tile surface and grout.

We provide specialised stripping & sealing as well as all restoration solutions for Bluestone tiles.

Save yourself time, effort and money and let our team of professionals bring your Bluestone back to its best possible condition.

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, please Call 1300 771 201 or use our online enquiry form.

We cover all Wollongong suburbs and all Lake Heights area

Types of sealer's used on bluestone tiles

Water based sealer's and solvent-based sealer's can both be used on bluestone, however unless absolutely required for a specific reason, we always recommend applying a water based sealer that doesn't produce harmful fumes during application and removal. Water based sealers are easier to apply and remove and also require less drying time. One of the most popular product ranges available is Australian made Deepshield® quality impregnating water based sealer's that prolong the life of your surfaces by taking full advantage of recent advancements in nano technology, providing unmatched long-term stain resistance and reliability.

It is important to ensure the correct water based sealer is applied to your bluestone tile, which will also depend on whether they are indoors or outdoors as most sealer's will not last long outside due to being designed for internal use. If your bluestone is outdoors, it is important to use a water based sealer that is specifically designed for outdoor bluestone.

There are two types of impregnating clear sealer, water based sealer & solvent based. In the past solvent based sealers were more widely used as they used to absorb deeper into the bluestone and grout and would also last longer. Today however, thanks to new technological advancements, it is recommended only to use water based sealer's, that last much longer and cause less potential damage to health and property.

Solvent based products are more difficult to apply and can create major problems when applied incorrectly as they are very hard to remove. Tile Cleaners® recommend our clients apply a long lasting water based sealer such as a quality product from Australia's Deepshield® range of sealer's to their bluestone tiles and grout. Topical sealer's (glossy plastic coating over the top of the bluestone) are still used on bluestone, but these older style sealer's can trap moisture in the stone and make the surface slippery when wet. When a topical sealer wears in higher traffic areas, the entire surface usually needs to be stripped and re-sealed.

It is very important to ensure that tiles achieve their cleanest possible condition prior to being sealed. This will protect the appearance of the tile, and importantly ensure that there won't be any dirt, stains or other debris caught under the layer of sealant.

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To provide the best possible protection from oil and water-based stains; to maintain the look and slip resistance of your bluestone and to prevent damaging moisture from being trapped within the stone, it is recommended to seal your bluestone with a high quality, invisible, fully breathable impregnating sealer.

We provide specialised stripping & sealing as well as all restoration solutions for Bluestone tiles

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, please Call 1300 771 201 or use our online enquiry form.

We cover all Wollongong suburbs and all Lake Heights area

bluestone tiles irregular pattern white cement grout traditional patio

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bluestone_tiles indoor antique livingroom floor

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bluestone traditional patio outdoor terrace furniture

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: What is floor stripping?

The process of stripping a floor is to ensure that all necessary old and worn sealer is removed; once removed your bluestone tiles can be resealed.

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Q: How do I know when my bluestone floors are ready for cleaning, stripping and resealing?

You will know it's time to have your bluestone floors stripped, cleaned and sealed once they begin to appear dull or "matte" even after you have given them an efficient regular clean. If you notice that your bluestone tiles are staining easily, it's a good indication that your previous sealer is wearing off and your bluestone floors will need to be resealed immediately to prevent permanent staining.

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Q: Is it safe to have bluestone tiles stripped and sealed?

Yes, our tile cleaning services are safe! Tile Cleaners® generally use only the highest quality water based products alongside our state of the art cleaning machinery to provide the best cleaning solution without compromising your bluestone tiles. Stone tiles are porous and require more attention than man made tiles, which is why its extremely important to use the correct products and equipment necessary to bring your bluestone tiles back to their best possible condition. Tile Cleaners® prides itself on specifically catering for each tile variety.

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Q: What can I expect in terms of mess during the stripping process of my granite tiles? Is there a risk of damaging my walls or skirting boards?

When it comes to the stripping process of your granite tiles, Tile Cleaning prioritizes the use of high-quality non-solvent-based stripping and sealing products. These products are specifically designed to minimize mess and ensure the protection of your granite tiles and other surfaces in your home. With our current non-solvent-based strippers and techniques, there is no significant risk of damaging your walls or skirting boards. In rare cases, where solvent-based strippers may be required, we take extensive safety precautions and ensure that you are properly informed. If such circumstances arise, you may be required to vacate the premises for up to 48 hours to ensure your safety. Rest assured, we prioritize cleanliness and take every measure to safeguard your walls, skirting boards, and other areas of your home throughout the stripping process.

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Q: Do the products used by Tile Cleaning contain any toxic ingredients?

Tile Cleaning places great importance on the safety of your family throughout the cleaning process and guarantees the use of non-toxic finishing agents. Our commitment to safety is rooted in protecting your loved ones by avoiding any potentially harmful substances or ingredients. When selecting cleaning products, Tile Cleaning exercises utmost care to exclude any ingredients that could pose health risks. This approach not only helps preserve the condition of your stone tiles but also exemplifies our dedication to prioritizing the overall health and safety of your household.

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Q: Why do I need to strip my bluestone floors?

If you want your bluestone floors to be their cleanest and looking their very best you need to have a professional remove as much of the old sealer as possible. Once this is done the cleaning process will be carried out and the sealer applied. You will have the freshest and cleanest possible bluestone floors once we are finished with the process.

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Q: What is a bluestone tiles strip and seal?

Bluestone tiles stripping and sealing is simply the process of stripping the coating off the bluestone floor before resealing it. Bluestone flooring can look dull and lifeless over time, making it look older and really bringing down the feel of the home. By stripping and resealing, you can bring back the beautiful, lustrous appearance of your bluestone and eliminate the cost of laying new flooring.

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Q: Which process can I expect when you arrive to reseal my bluestone floors?

Our professional team will go through the job processes with you step by step so you know exactly what you're getting. The process includes stripping any previous sealer if it was applied, the bluestone is then thoroughly cleaned and neutralised so that it is free of dust, residue and anything else that can affect the new sealer. A new sealer is applied to the dry bluestone floor and allowed to set. The newly sealed bluestone floor will not only look new again, it will be protected and result in your bluestone becoming easier to maintain.

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Q: How often should I seal my bluestone floors?

It depends on the type of sealer used and the amount of foot traffic the bluestone tiles are being exposed to. Australia's Deepshield® range of deep impregnating water based sealer's, offer long term benefits with Deepshield Gold® lasting up to 15 years. Topical sealer's have a life expectancy of around 3 years. If you have a high amount of foot traffic or perhaps severe weather conditions(for outdoor tiles), you may experience a shorter lifetime. Sealing your bluestone tiles can also depend on the tiles condition. Once they start showing patchy areas and are staining easily then you should have them resealed. Give us a call and we can assist you with all your enquiries.

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Q: What happens if I don not seal my bluestone floors?

Bluestone floors can damage easily, any oily or harsh spills can damage the bluestone tiles and penetrate the pores leaving a permanent stain, unreachable by domestic cleaning methods. We strongly recommend sealing you bluestone tiles to keep their natural look and feel, to protect them against permanent staining and to prevent any future accidental damage. They will look their very best for longer and will be easier and more convenient to maintain

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Q: When is the best time to seal my bluestone floors and how do I know that mine need sealing now?

The best time to have your bluestone tiles sealed is immediately after installation to prevent any accidental staining or damage. You will know that your bluestone tiles need sealing once you start noticing patchy sealed areas of the floor and/or your bluestone tiles are staining easier.

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Q: Will sealing my bluestone prevent efflorescence?

Efflorescence is a problem that bluestone and most porous tiles can face. It's the tendency of the water in the bluestone to bring salts from the stone to the surface as it evaporates. The water evaporates leaving the salts on the surface resulting in a whitish coating and ruining its finish. The only way to avoid this problem is to seal your bluestone tiles with one of our highest quality water resistant sealer's and to stop the source of the water that is penetrating the tiles, for example a water pipe leak or damaged grout.

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Q: Efflorescence has built up on my bluestone tiles. Can you remove it?

Yes we can. Efflorescence is a build up of salts and can be removed with efflorescence removers and other specialised cleaning techniques. Efflorescence is typically caused by a leakage behind the bluestone tiles or through damaged grout lines. The efflorescence can be removed but it is important the cause of the efflorescence is resoled.

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Q: What can I do to keep my bluestone tiles looking new?

To keep your bluestone tiles and grout looking new, Tile Cleaners® recommend cleaning each week with a mild detergent to remove any dirt or grime from the bluestone surface. Strong detergents(strong acid or alkali) may affect the sealer, mild detergents and pH neutral substances are strongly recommended.

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Q: How will you charge me for stripping and sealing my bluestone tiles?

Tile Cleaners® charge per square meter for each separate room. There is a price list on the Tile Cleaners® website for you to review. Before we begin our work we will measure each room individually, confirm the work to be carried out as well as confirm all costs with you.

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Q: How do I measure the size of the bluestone area?

We recommend that you measure each bluestone area separately. The simplest way to measure is by multiplying the width by the length. For example a room that is 3 meters long and 2 meters wide is 3 X 2 = 6m² in total.

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Q: Does Tile Cleaning offer assistance with moving furniture when sealing the floor?

Tile Cleaning provides assistance with moving furniture during the floor sealing process. Their team of dedicated technicians is available to help with the relocation of furniture items that can be reasonably managed by one person, such as those with wheels or lightweight furniture like tables and chairs. However, it is important to keep in mind that while Tile Cleaning takes precautions to protect your belongings, they cannot be held responsible for any damages that may occur during the furniture moving process. To ensure the safety of valuable or fragile items, it is recommended to either relocate them to a secure area or properly secure them before the technicians arrive. By taking these necessary precautions, you can help ensure the safety of your furniture and minimize the risk of potential damage while the floor sealing process is being carried out.

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Q: What should I do to prepare for the bluestone cleaning?

Move all furniture and items off the floor so it is ready for when we arrive.