How to Refinish Antique Brick Floors

Old brick floors can be revived with wax or sealant.

Antique brick floors provide an eye-catching appearance to any room. Although brick floors usually don't require a lot of maintenance, they do require some attention because they are porous. This allows dirt and grime to permeate into the floor's surface over time. After giving the floor a good cleaning, there are two ways to refinish it. One is with a self-sealing wax; the other is to give it a more complete refinishing with a brick sealant. You refinish an antique brick floor in the same way as any brick floor, only with more care and caution.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Vacuum
• Detergent
• Scrub brush
• Vinegar
• Mop
• Floor wax for use on brick
• Cloth
• Ammonia
• All-purpose cleaner
• Painter's tape
• Brick sealer
• Paintbrushes

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Instructions

Preparation

1. Sweep up any dirt and debris with a broom. Vacuum the floor to give it a thorough cleaning.

2. Clean your brick floor and the grout lines with a mild soap, water and a scrub brush. Allow the floor to dry.

3. Mix a solution of 1 part vinegar and 15 parts water. Dip a mop into the water and wring it out. Gently scrub the floor with the mop. Reapply the solution with the mop, if necessary.

Quick Refinishing

1. Mix 1 cup of ammonia, 1/4 cup of an all-purpose cleaner and 8 cups of water in a bucket.

2. Gently apply the solution to the floor with a mop. Allow the solution to seep in for 10 minutes; the ammonia will strip the floor of the old wax. Scrub the floor thoroughly with the mop.

3. Rinse the brick floor with clear water. Let it dry.

4. Apply a self-sealing floor wax, according to the instructions listed on the label. Apply a second coat if necessary.

5. Buff the floor with a dry microfiber cloth in a circular motion.

Resealing

1. Mix 1 cup of ammonia, 1/4 cup of an all-purpose cleaner and 8 cups of water in a bucket. Gently apply the solution to the floor with a mop to remove the old wax.

2. Rinse the floor with clear water and allow it to dry.

3. Place painter's tape on the bottom parts of the wall joining the brick floor that you are going to reseal.

4. Apply a sealant designed for bricks to the floor with a paintbrush. Begin at the opposite end of the room from the entrance. Apply sealant along the edge that meets the walls, using a small paintbrush.

5. Spread the brick sealant over the rest of the floor with a larger paint brush. Work your way from the far wall to the room entrance.

6. Allow your floor to dry for the time recommended on the sealant container. Apply a second coat of sealant to the floor.

7. Buff the floor in a circular motion with a dry microfiber cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid allowing water to sit on top of the brick -- it will cause spots and streaks.

• Do not use cleaners that include acids or abrasives on brick floors.

• Double-check to make sure all waxes and sealants are designed for brick floors.

• If you apply wax over a sealant, first test it on a small area of the floor.

References

• This Old House: Sealing a Brick Floor

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• HowtoCleanStuff: How to Clean and Polish Brick Flooring