Really great answers from everyone this morning, I really liked the “signing of the release” when we encounter a problem.

 

My opinion is that it’s all true but all relative to the situation. 

 

If the extreme lippage is so severe that for the customer that she is thinking of replacement, then I would charge for a test and show her what she would be getting.

 

There was some instances where we grinded them flat and they almost then looked like a very porous sponge, but the client who was a restaurant owner was till happier having his floor flat then having people break the legs off his chairs every time they got up. Grinding the tiles down meant we could work sections at night ready for each morning for operation. Changing the tiles meant closing the restaurant resulting in a 90 000 dollar loss for their  week of revenue. 

 

So if the custy wants it grinded , I suggest you show her what she is getting herself into. 

If the lippage removal cannot be done then try getting wood sanding screens, you usually find them at rental stores, the screens are used to remove varnish and sand down wood floors.  They come in 18 inch diameter perfect for floor machines. They also come in various grits just like diamonds.  By placing one under a soft blue or red pad they will follow the contours of the tile lightly softening the edges as well as remove the old finish.

 

Clean the floor, especially the joints.

 

Dry – to a moisture test and seal with Dura Seal.  That you will probably find at your local Country Floors Outlet

 

And that’s another plug, Country Floors has got to be one of the most expensive places to buy this type of flooring material.  It was a great plug for me at the begging  to get in to all the high end homes

 

But all that said, my personal preference , if I get 10 calls today for jobs and the first one was Saltillo , Terra-Cotta or Mexican tiles it will surely end up at the bottom of the call back pile.

 

Ciao

Antonio

Marble Maestro

 

 

 

Depends on the Saltillo tile ……. some Saltillo can be stripped and refinished. I wouldn’t try to grind a Saltillo flat, especially A Super Saltillo. I’ve striped, sanded, and stained Saltillo to a different color and applied a new finish. The problem is getting the stripper out of the Saltillo so the new finish will hold. Always get a piece of the original stock first for testing. Here’s some photos of 40 year old Saltillo that we stripped, sanded, and refinished.

 

Sincerely,

 

Joe Walters

Stone & Grout Meister, LLC

 

Phone: 505-890-3835 Ext. 2

Mobile: 505-859-0196

Fax: 866-920-2135

mail@stoneandgroutmeister.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought grinding saltillo wasn't an option because the finish is baked on the tile (Similar to porcelain tile?).  The grout can be fixed but it is my understanding that the tiles cannot be grinded.

 

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