saltillo tile-thousand oaks

The Challenge

A homeowner near the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden in Thousand Oaks contacted Xtra Clean about their Saltillo tile floors in the kitchen, dining room, and entryway. Installed in the 1990s, the floors had been resealed multiple times by the previous owners using consumer-grade products resulting in a thick, yellowed, uneven buildup that obscured the beautiful terracotta tones underneath. A contractor had quoted $12,000 for full tile replacement.

Our Process

1. Sealer assessment: Tested existing sealer buildup to identify appropriate stripping solution.
2. Chemical stripping: Professional stripping solution applied and allowed to dwell, loosening all layers of old yellowed topcoat sealer.
3. Machine scrubbing and extraction: Loosened sealer scrubbed away and completely extracted using floor machines and wet vacuums.
4. Deep cleaning: Bare Saltillo deep cleaned with pH-neutral solutions to remove all embedded dirt.
5. Drying: Tile allowed to dry completely over 24 hours — critical before sealing Saltillo.
6. Fresh sealer application: Multiple coats of appropriate Saltillo sealer applied, restoring warm terracotta color.