Oh. I just noticed that this thread is over 3 years old. Kinda like talking in an empty room, eh?
Hello?
I should probably stop.
I hope the floor is ok. Probably moved house by now.
My tiles were covered in black tar, so i poured white spirit on them, brushed it with a yard brush, and mopped the floor with hot water with a degreaser in. I repeated this a couple of times, and jobs a good 'un.