Fake stain on terracotta a disaster?

[Timpointoh]

Hi,

I might be just confirming what I already think I’ve discovered l but maybe there is some good news lot be found. I reached out directly a member of this forum that knows a great deal about this stuff too, but also wanted to check with the whole community.


Me and my wife just built a new house and decided to go with terracotta tile. My wife was adamant with the installer about how to properly install the water based sealer to make sure it didn’t look bad and clump up and leave a white film.

To our horror they did a terrible job and there was hardened white film everywhere with streaks and clumps.

We decided against sanding the tile and resealing for a number of reasons. The installer talked us into letting him hand stain each tile with H&C colortop water based concrete stain. Then going back over it with the water based sealer

Looks turned out okay but we didn’t know any better and I noticed after moving in a few areas where something stuck to the tile and ripped up the stain and stuck to what was there.

Today we moved the washing machine and it was almost glued to the tiles. It finally budged taking with it a couple chunks of the tile and leaving broad lines where washer was sitting.

First is this as bad of a decision as it seems and if so is there anything we can do at this point ?

Thanks so much

 

[duneslider]

I suspect you are screwed but I would start by calling the manufacturers of the products used. The only saving grace may be that it was sealed BEFORE you put the stain and final sealer on it. They might have a stripper that will peel it off, its kind of a long shot but maybe.

If this even is possible, it will be a ton of work. It will be a stipper and lot of work with a floor buffer/scrubber to remove it. Its all hind sight now but you should have called the sealer manufacturer right after the first incident and gotten advice then. Very likely could have been fixed at that point.

Curious where you live? Mostly because I do not see terracotta tile installed very often anymore. It definitely has a unique look. I always enjoyed installing it but can't say I have seen much of it in 20 years. I am sure it is still more popular in the southwest of the US.

 

[duneslider]

Also, how much area are we talking here? Like the whole main floor of the house, of just a small area. If the area wasn't too big, I would just tear it out and install new but this is likely a large area?

 

[duneslider]

I keep having more thoughts...
It is also likely that you started putting stuff on it too soon and the layer sandwich of sealer/stain hasn't cured. If that is the case, it should harden up more with time and not be such an issue and you may be fine with just touching up the damaged areas and not have future issues. I would also put felt pads on the things that will be there long term or move around a lot (chairs, tables, couches, washer/dryer). Treat this floor like you would a wood floor, it will scratch and damage like a finished wood floor.