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Tile & Grout Cleaning (floors) FAQs
How much does it cost ?
The price depends on tile size, area and amount of detailing we will have to do. The more grout line length the more it will
cost. Cleaning the grout is the challenge. The tiles usually clean up easily. The larger area you have the less per sq. ft. price
you will pay.
How do you clean the grout on my floor ?
We use two different chemicals. They both have a specific function. We scrub each grout line with the V- shaped grout
line brush. Then use a floor machine with a grit brush over the whole floor. Most times this will restore your floor to like new
condition.
What if my floor doesn't come clean after your cleaning ?
During the quote we will clean a small area to see if you will be satisfied with the out come of the cleaning. This is so we
can be sure the cleaning will meet your expectation. If you are not satisfied with the test area, color sealing your grout is the
next best option.
Should I get my grout sealed after cleaning ?
Yes, it is a good idea to get your grout sealed after a cleaning. The sealer will penetrate the grout, fill the voids and protect
it from staining and discoloration.
Grout Color Sealing
What is Color Sealing ? Grout color sealing is a colored sealer that is applied to your grout lines. It is the highest level of grout protection available. There are many colors to chose from.
Why would I want to color seal my floor ?
There are two very good reasons for color sealing your floor. Number 1 is that it will make your floor look fabulous, the
other Number 1 reason is less maintenace. Your floor will stay cleaner longer and be much easier to clean than regular grout.
Color seal will make the grout lines uniform across the whole floor. You can also choose a color that better matches
the tile.
Will the color sealer wear off over time ?
No, it's very tough stuff. It would be very hard to remove it once it is down and dried. Also, the grout lines are recessed
compared to the tile. This way the grout lines are protected from direct foot traffic. The color sealer is anchored by the gritty
surface texture of sanded grout. It does not easily come off.
Will my grout lines look "painted" after color sealing ?
No, no one will be able to tell it's not grout. Your friends and neighbors will only comment on how good it looks.
Can I do it myself ?
Yes, you can. But it takes some practice to get good at it and it will be very time consuming with out any previous experience
. Also, it is all done on your knees. If you are going to do it invest in a good set of knee pads. If I haven't talked you out of
it yet, good luck.
Shower Stall Restoration
How do you restore shower stalls?
All grout and caulking are removed and replaced with new. This is the only way to restore a shower stall. Cleaning alone
will not be enough. Grout is porous and will absorb soap, minerals. Cleaning does not get deep enough to really get
discoloration out.
What tools do you use to remove the grout ?
We use a Fein Supercut with diamond blades, grout saws, box cutters, razor blades and other tools.
Is it expensive ?
Most bath & shower stalls will be between $500 and $1500, depending on your shower size. We do our best to keep
prices reasonable so people can afford it. But it is very detailed work and what you get in the end is worth it. Your shower
stall will look new. It is much more cost effective than replacement.
I may have some water damage. Do you do repairs?
During the quote we inspect the shower for loose tiles, water damage etc. Yes, we do repairs. We will repair any damaged
areas and replace only what is necessary. This might include backer board, wooden studs and tile.
Is it necessary to seal the shower?
We recommend it. Sealing the shower will help keep soap scum and mildew from getting a foothold in the grout. Sealing
the shower stall is an additional cost, and requires another visit since the grout must cure before sealing.
Natural Stone Restoration
My marble/travertine/limestone floor needs to be cleaned, can you do this?
We can just clean but when people say "clean" they usually mean restoring the shine to the stone. We can clean, polish
or restore your floor. It depends on the condition of the floor and your budget. Usually we can top polish a floor that is in
good shape, which means a floor that has minimal amount of scratches and no topical coating (ie wax, or a finish) on it.
I have scratches on my floor. Will polishing remove scratches ?
Polishing alone will not remove scratches. If scratch removal is necessary we will use diamond impregnated pads of the
correct coarseness to remove scratches. Deep scratches will need to be removed using coarser diamonds. The lower
diamond grit we use and what grit we need to finish with dictates the cost of the job.
Example: Using a 200 grit diamond to remove scratches we would then have to go through the grit progression of 200-400-800-1500 then powder polish for a high polish. Or 200-400-800 then honing powder for a matte finish. As you see the lower the grit we start with the more expensive the restoration is.
Should I seal my natural stone floor?
My recommendation is to play is safe and seal the floor using a high quality penetrating sealer. Why take a chance on
staining your stone and have a potential difficult and costly stain removal repair.
I have a slate floor, can this be cleaned ?
Most slate floors have a finish on them that needs to be stripped off. The finish in many cases will be very dirty. Our process
strip off the finish then seal the floor with a penetrating sealer. Stripping the floor also cleans the stone. If you want a
more glossy finish an enhancing sealer can be used.
Ceramic Tile Grout Cleaning & Sealing
