1930's original tile flooring

[freesolo]

We moved into our house last year , it's a 1930's house and is carpeted throughout, very modern. After visiting a few neighbours I noticed they all had beautiful, original tiled halls I decided to have a look tonight and with the help of my trusty screwdriver I can see beautiful red tiles underneath the carpet! What do I do now? I want to show the tiles but I have barely any disposable income and don't know if i could take up the carpet and get the tiles cleaned myself, any advice?

[sbplanet]

Post a picture, sounds like quarry tiles - need sealing really, else they stain.

[SirVixofVixHall]

Agree post a pic.
A friend had beautiful Victorian tiles under layers of of glue and all sorts of rubbish. I helped her clean them up, it took much hard work but they were beautiful afterwards.

[freesolo]

This is all I can see so far

[freesolo]

This is slightly better

[Africa2go]

We were in a similar position when we moved into our 30s semi. We found original quarry tiles under lino, after hours of trying to remove the lino we discovered that they only went part was across the kitchen. Plus there wasn't any insulation under the tiles so you couldn't actually stand on them in bare feet, they were icy cold. We ended up having to take them up.

[Clymene]

I have original quarry tiles in my kitchen and hall. They're lovely if you can get them cleaned up. Yes they're cold but that's what slippers are for

[freesolo]

Hmm, that's a worry to be honest, the cold. But then I see my neighbours hallways and they are so beautiful!

[Iseeyoulookingatme]

I've just pulled up my laminate and found these. I thought they were plain quarry tiles at first. Have a look you can always put the carpet back if you don't like them.

[freesolo]

Wow!! Absolutely stunning, lucky you! I don't think I can resist now. I'll wait until the weekend I think and then go for it

[Iseeyoulookingatme]

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Knittedfairies]

I found quarry tiles under the carpet in the hall of our Victorian semi; not quite as fancy as those upthread, but similar. I scraped off all the glue and grot, scrubbed, sealed and polished them. They are not particularly cold; I was going to put down a carpet runner but didn't need to.

[lotionInTheBasket]

We have crappy wooden laminate in our 1929 built house and I just KNOW that underneath there must be a floor like this! My husband won't let me ruin the floor to find out though until we come to decorate it and the hall is way down the list.

[freesolo]

@lotionInTheBasket

We have crappy wooden laminate in our 1929 built house and I just KNOW that underneath there must be a floor like this! My husband won't let me ruin the floor to find out though until we come to decorate it and the hall is way down the list.

Give in to the urge and get the screwdriver out ! Let us know what you find; I can't wait to fill the carpet up now

[freesolo]

*roll

[Misbeehived]

@Iseeyoulookingatme wow those are really really fantastic! What a find!

[irisetta]

We have original '30s quarry tiles in our current (pre-extension) kitchen, can confirm they are absolutely freezing! Slippers are a must! They are also worn, scratched etc. so we probably won't be keeping them. Looking forwards to seeing what you find under there OP! Good luck!

[SarahLox77]

How exciting- bet you can't wait for the weekend?!

[NewHouseNewMe]

I have similar in a cupboard so suspect they also lurk under the hall carpet. However they are freezing to touch! I don't know if I could bear the whole hall in them.

[RoSEbuds6]

I wonder if it would be possible to re-lay these tiles over heated floors? We have original black and white tiles and I’d love to have underfloor heating put down, and the tiles laid on top. No idea if they’d be suitable though.

[HamCob]

We have similar, currently hidden under hideous filthy carpet that I desperately want to replace.
Many of ours are cracked and broken though. It's been a nightmare trying to get people to quote for new flooring. Apparently ours are not laid on a proper solid base (power station ash was suggested?!) Quotes have been upwards of 4K for a teeny hall Keep your tiles!

[freesolo]

@Knittedfairies

I found quarry tiles under the carpet in the hall of our Victorian semi; not quite as fancy as those upthread, but similar. I scraped off all the glue and grot, scrubbed, sealed and polished them. They are not particularly cold; I was going to put down a carpet runner but didn't need to.

Can I ask exactly what you used? When i google it just comes up with firms who come and do it for you, but I'd need to do it myself

[renovationfatigue]

It's actually very easy. You just need a few basic tools like a crowbar and pliers to get the carpet up and then some tile restorer to clean the tiles providing they are in good condition. We did it in our 1905 house. We used this: www.amazon.co.uk/Lithofin-KF-Tile-Restorer-1Ltr/dp/B001T07P44?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[freesolo]

Thank you! Do you then have to seal the tiles with anything?
It's looking good so far as I have lifted a bit more from another part of the room , and it comes away easily so I don't think it's glued down at all

[7catsisnotenough]

Hi OP, my daughter found quarry tiles under her carpet, they were covered in glue! I used a floor steamer to soften the glue then Pink Stuff paste and got the lot off relatively easily and very inexpensively! Next step is treating them to a polish using a "proper " product. Good luck!

[freesolo]

I haven't lifted the carpet yet but I've taken the carpet tiles out of the porch and found these beauties. Why would anyone put carpet tiles over them??