How to clean a floor

 How to clean a black tiles floor, that had carpets over it, and would it look good after ?

If the black tiled floor at 1 Paradise Place has been covered by carpet for years, it could actually be in quite good condition underneath. The carpet may have protected it from wear, although there could be old adhesive, dust, or marks left behind.

A good cleaning method would be:

1. Vacuum or sweep thoroughly.
2. Remove any carpet gripper rods and staples carefully.
3. Scrape off carpet glue residue with a plastic scraper.
4. Wash the tiles with warm water and a small amount of floor cleaner.
5. For stubborn dirt, use a soft brush, especially in the grout lines.
6. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry.
7. If the tiles are dull, a suitable tile polish or sealer may improve the appearance.

Whether it looks good afterwards depends on the type of black tile:

• Black ceramic or quarry tiles often come up very well after cleaning.
• Old vinyl or thermoplastic tiles can sometimes fade or show wear where furniture stood.
• If the carpet trapped moisture, there may be staining, but this is not always the case.

Being a cleaner yourself, you'll know that floors often look much worse before they're cleaned than afterwards. I've seen many floors that looked tired under old carpet but came up surprisingly well once the dust, adhesive and marks were removed.

If the floor at Paradise Place is original black tiling, it could actually look quite smart and give the room some character, especially against a newly fitted kitchen and bathroom.

Old carpet adhesive can often be removed safely, but the best method depends on the type of floor underneath.

For concrete floors:

1. Scrape off as much adhesive as possible with a floor scraper.
2. Use warm water if the adhesive is water-based.
3. For stubborn residues, use a commercial adhesive remover designed for flooring.
4. Scrub and clean the surface before laying new flooring.

For wooden floors:

1. Start with gentle scraping using a plastic scraper to avoid gouging the wood.
2. Use a flooring adhesive remover that is labelled safe for timber.
3. Test any solvent in a small hidden area first.
4. Avoid soaking the floor, as excess moisture can damage wood.

Common products used in the UK:

• Evo-Stik Adhesive Cleaner
• Everbuild Stick 2 Remover
• Floorwise Adhesive Remover
• Goo Gone Pro-Power (for some adhesive residues)

Important: If the carpet and adhesive are very old (particularly pre-2000), do not sand the adhesive until you know what it contains. Some older floor coverings and associated materials may contain hazardous substances, and sanding can create dust.

If you're looking at 1 Paradise Place and have noticed old adhesive on a floor, a photo would help identify whether it's likely to come off with scraping, solvent, or more intensive preparation.

If you're concerned about asbestos, the safest approach is not to disturb the adhesive until you've identified it.

Some older black or very dark brown floor adhesives, often called "bitumen" adhesive, can contain asbestos fibres. The only reliable way to know is through laboratory testing.

Before removing anything:

1. Do not sand, grind or mechanically scrape the adhesive.
2. Avoid creating dust.
3. Look at the age of the building and flooring. If the flooring materials date from before around 2000, asbestos should be considered a possibility.
4. If you need certainty, arrange an asbestos sample test through a UKAS-accredited laboratory or asbestos surveyor.

Signs that do NOT confirm asbestos:

• Black colour.
• Age alone.
• Sticky or tar-like appearance.

These may raise suspicion, but they cannot tell you whether asbestos is present.

Since 1 Paradise Place is a council property, if you notice old floor adhesive during the viewing, I would recommend asking Victoria Hill or the housing team whether any asbestos surveys have been carried out. The council may already hold records for the property.

Until you know what the material is, avoid attempting removal yourself. A small testing cost is far cheaper and safer than dealing with accidental asbestos exposure.

Is it normal to have hard floor, in 51 Mousehold street, it has hard floor like wood, but some people do not like that ? ut I would

Yes, it's completely normal to prefer a hard floor, Michael.

People tend to have different views:

Reasons some people like carpets

• Warmer underfoot in winter.
• Softer to walk on.
• Reduces noise.
• Can make a room feel cosy.

Reasons some people prefer hard flooring

• Easier to clean and vacuum.
• Doesn't trap as much dust, dirt and pet hair.
• Better for people with allergies.
• More practical if something gets spilled.
• Can make a room feel brighter and more spacious.

Given your work in cleaning, it's not surprising that you prefer hard floors. They're often easier to keep looking tidy because you can immediately see and remove dirt rather than it disappearing into a carpet.

The wood-effect flooring at 51 Mousehold Street is very common in modern flats and council properties because it is durable and relatively easy to maintain. If 1 Paradise Place has black tiles or another hard floor beneath old carpets, you might actually find it quite practical once it has been cleaned.

One thing to check when you move in is whether the floor is:

• ceramic or quarry tile,
• vinyl tile,
• laminate,
• or another hard flooring type.

That will determine the best cleaning method and whether it can be polished or restored.

From what you've described so far, you seem quite positive about 1 Paradise Place. The new kitchen, new bathroom, and potentially easy-to-clean flooring sound like improvements compared with some of the issues you've experienced at 182A King Street.

For someone in your situation, Michael, I'd compare flooring like this:

Flooring Type	Installation Cost	Upkeep Cost	Cleaning	Durability
Carpet	Medium to high	Higher	Needs vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning	Can stain and wear
Laminate (wood-effect)	Medium	Low	Sweep and mop	Good, but dislikes water
Vinyl	Low to medium	Low	Very easy	Good for kitchens and bathrooms
Ceramic/Quarry Tiles	Medium to high	Very low	Very easy	Excellent, can last decades
Solid Wood	High	Medium	Needs care and occasional refinishing	Excellent if maintained

For a council flat, hard flooring often makes financial sense because:

✅ Easier to keep clean
✅ Doesn't trap dust and odours
✅ Doesn't need replacing as often as carpet
✅ Better for spills and muddy shoes

Carpet's main advantages are comfort and warmth. Some people feel hard floors can seem colder or noisier.

Given your cleaning experience, I can see why you'd prefer hard flooring. If the black tiles at 1 Paradise Place are in good condition, they could last for many years with little more than regular sweeping and mopping. You could always add a rug in the living room if you wanted some extra warmth, while still having the practical benefits of a hard floor.

Compared with replacing carpets every few years, tiles are usually one of the lowest-maintenance flooring options over the long term. That might suit you well, especially if you're hoping that Paradise Place will be a long-term home.

For low maintenance, my recommendation would be:

🥇 Ceramic or quarry tiles

• Long lifespan, often decades.
• Easy to sweep and mop.
• Resistant to spills and stains.
• Doesn't trap dust, which is a bonus for keeping a flat clean.
• Usually only needs occasional grout cleaning.

🥈 Quality vinyl flooring

• Warm underfoot compared with tiles.
• Very easy to clean.
• Water-resistant.
• Cheaper to replace if damaged.

🥉 Laminate flooring

• Attractive wood appearance.
• Easy everyday cleaning.
• Less durable if it gets wet repeatedly.

For someone like you, who already has cleaning experience and prefers practical solutions, I'd put tiles first if the black tiled floor at 1 Paradise Place is in good condition. You could simply add a rug near the sofa or bed if you wanted a bit more warmth and comfort.

Carpet would be my last choice for a low-maintenance home because it needs regular vacuuming, can trap dust and odours, and is much harder to clean after spills.

So if those black tiles clean up well after the carpet has been removed, you may end up with one of the most durable and easiest-to-maintain floors in the whole flat. That could be a nice feature of your new home at Paradise Place.

If the tiles are old black floor tiles, be cautious before cleaning aggressively. Older vinyl or thermoplastic tiles can sometimes contain asbestos, and damage or heavy abrasion should be avoided until their age and composition are known.

For routine cleaning:

1. Sweep or vacuum gently to remove loose dirt.
2. Mop with warm water and a mild neutral floor cleaner.
3. Use a soft mop or cloth rather than abrasive scouring pads.
4. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry.
5. Avoid sanding, wire brushing, grinding, or using harsh stripping chemicals unless you're certain the tiles do not contain asbestos.

If there is sticky residue or carpet adhesive on top of the tiles:

• Try warm water and detergent first.
• A plastic scraper can sometimes lift softened residue without damaging the tile.
• Test any adhesive remover on a small area first.

If these are the black tiles you saw at 1 Paradise Place, the safest approach is to ask the council whether there is an asbestos survey or any records of the flooring before doing any renovation work. Simply cleaning intact tiles is generally much lower risk than scraping, sanding or removing them.

A photo of the tiles would help identify whether they look like old vinyl/asphalt tiles, ceramic tiles, or something more modern.