Case Study: Restoration of Victorian Mosaic Flooring at Dewsbury Town Hall

Project Overview

Dewsbury Town Hall, a landmark Victorian building, features intricate dust-pressed mosaic flooring that forms an integral part of its historic character. Over time, the mosaics had suffered significant damage, including cracking, and missing tessera and original cement mortar. These issues not only affected the appearance of the floors but also posed structural risks within this heritage setting.

Opus Tile Restoration, a member of The Tile Association (TTA), was commissioned to deliver phase 1 of the restoration. Drawing on extensive conservation expertise and long-standing experience with UltraTile materials, Isa Celik set out to stabilise, restore, and protect the historic mosaic surfaces.

Condition Assessment

A detailed inspection revealed several concerns. Many tessera had detached due to the deterioration of the cement slurry that originally bonded the mosaic tiles to the cement screed. In some areas, this slurry had completely broken down – a condition Opus Tile Restoration had encountered before, though it remains relatively uncommon. The instability caused by the failing substrate contributed to cracking and hollow-sounding areas.

These defects demanded a sensitive and technically robust repair aligned with heritage best practice.

Material Selection and Technical Approach

As the original substrate at Dewsbury Town Hall was cement-based, Opus Tile Restoration selected compatible modern materials that would complement the historic features while providing long-term durability.

• Adhesive: ProFlex SPES, chosen for its strength, flexibility and compatibility with the cement substrate.
• Grout: ProGrout Flexible, selected to provide a reliable, colour-rich finish that perfectly complemented the historic mosaic floor.

Using these materials, the team carefully lifted, cleaned, reinstated or replicated tessera as required. Areas where the substrate had failed were rebuilt to ensure a stable foundation before the mosaics were reinstalled. Every stage of the process was carried out with a focus on maintaining the authenticity of the Victorian design and preserving the original patterns.

Isa Celik, from Opus Tile Restoration explained the approach: “As a restoration company, we have been working with UltraTile materials for many years. Due to the nature of the job we have to select different materials to carry out like-for-like repair. In this specific project the original screed was cement based, hence UltraTile products were selected.”

Outcome

Phase 1 of the works successfully reinstated the appearance and performance of the mosaic floors, ensuring they remain structurally sound and visually faithful to the original Victorian craftsmanship. The restored areas now once again contribute to the architectural splendour of Dewsbury Town Hall.

Phase 2 of the restoration programme is scheduled for the near future. Building on the success of the initial phase, Opus Tile Restoration will continue its work to safeguard the remaining sections of mosaic flooring, applying the same meticulous standards of assessment, material compatibility, and craftsmanship.

To find out more about UltraTile’s product portfolio, please visit ultratileadhesives.co.uk. You can contact their team of tiling experts by emailing ultratile@instarmac.co.uk or calling 01827 254402.