Tile and Grout is fast becoming the most popular choice when installing new kitchen or bathroom floors. Many people choose to install tile and grout in the hallways too. It looks much better than the typical linoleum floor. There are so many choices of ceramic and porcelain that you can accomplish about any "look" that you trying to achieve. Everyday though we come across people who are very unhappy with this investment in their home. Are you one of them? It seems after a year or two the floor is increasingly more difficult to keep clean. The tile looks dull and the grout is filthy. This happens even if your cleaning the floor often. Unfortunately, most floors are not sealed after it is installed. This starts the problem. Grout will absorb grease and dirt very fast when it is not sealed. When it gets to the point where you think nothing can be done, you feel terrible because you think you need to replace the floor. Another very sizable investment. Even after days of being on your hands and knees scrubbing and cleaning, your still UN- happy. There is good news! Most Tile & Grout can be restored to "like new" condition; or very close to it. This starts with having a Professional Floor Cleaning Company inspecting and giving you a FREE demo of their service. This way you will know what to expect from a professional restoration. We will cover what is involved with restoring and maintaining your floors.

Cleaning and Restoration
Most floors over one year old will need to be restored to bring it back to "like new" condition. If the floor was properly sealed upon installation, restoration will most likely not be needed. Restoring tile and grout requires a few steps. First we degrease the floor to remove as much oils and grease as possible. Next, we restore the grout with a special grout line restoration product. This will help remove most if not all surface staining. This process also "opens" the grout for proper sealing. When doing these 2 steps mechanical agitation, strong rinsing and vacuum equipment is required. After the cleaning and restoration the sealing will begin.

Sealing
There are 2 basic types of sealing. Clear or color seal. A clear sealer is used on most grout where you want to keep that same color. The sealer is liberally supplied and worked into the grout lines. It is vital to use a high quality durable impregnating sealer for this process. Cheap silicone sealer do not last very long. After sealing it is important to maintain the floor using the right cleaning agents and tools. You will not need to use ammonia, bleach, or other harsh chemicals. This will only damage the sealer and grout. See the Tile & Grout Maintenance procedure below for after restoration maintenance.

Color Sealing
If you are not happy with the way your grout looks,you can change the color of the grout without replacement. Instead of a clear seal you choose a color of your liking. This process gives your grout a "Brand New" appearance. It gives the floor a whole new look. This process makes the grout lines resistant to staining. Once again it is important to maintain the floors properly following this process.

Maintenance
Once the floor is restored and sealed maintain, the floors with a professional cleaning every 6 to 12 months. This will keep your floors looking new forever. The sealer will last longer and no more scrubbing grout lines again. Interim maintenance should be done with a professional Tile & Grout Cleaner. The Hoover Floormate is an excellent tool to use these products with.

5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SPARKLING CLEAN, SURFACES:

Recommendation #1

Easy Care Tips To Keep Those Hard Surface Floors Sparkling Clean

At entry points to areas with hard surfaces, place entry mats for soil and moisture removal. The less brought in, the less to clean.

Regular vacuuming. Some surfaces don’t always appear to need cleaning, assume it does. As sure as dust settles on a windowsill, so it does on the floors. Be sure to use a vacuum with a floor height adjustment on the lowest setting.

Avoid Spills as much as possible. Hot liquid spills are especially hazardous and also a lot harder to clean up because they can penetrate more rapidly. Spot removal procedures should be expedited as soon as accidents occur.

After performing a wet maintenance, open windows or utilize fans to get air circulating. The faster it dries the better the results and less chance for rapid re-soiling.

If area rugs or throw rugs are used to decorate of ‘soften’ interior hard surfaces, be sure to use non-skid pads for your safety. (Available at most reputable flooring outlets) The ‘backings’ used by most manufacturers of area rugs are abrasive. Contrary to popular belief the non-skid pads are excellent. It is recommended that they are taken up and floors cleaned under them every month.

Chairs and tables in hard surface areas could cause serious damage to floors if legs and corners are not protected. Teflon or felt can be used to prevent abrasive damage caused by the furniture.

If you live in a part of the country affected by snow and ice, be sure to leave shoes that may have salt or liquid deicer on them at the door. Chemicals used in these products cause rapid and irreversible damage.

Dry sand on hard surfaces in coastal areas should be removed as soon as noticed. Wear patterns and scratches will dull your floor and reduce enhancement efforts.

Clean and rinse them often, once per month in low traffic areas and at least weekly in high traffic or kitchen areas. Rinse with plain water unless using the recommended cleaner/ protector product mentioned earlier.

Allow dwell time for stubborn spots and stains, cleaning products are not magic, the longer they sit on that stubborn spot the better they work. Extra rinsing may be needed after stain is removed. If a stain appears permanent, DON”T PANIC, call us. We use specialized equipment for dislodging foreign matter from your grout lines and high power vacuums to remove it.

Recommendation # 2: Decide whether you want to work with an honest, reputable company--or are you willing to risk working with the company that offers the lowest price, knowing that it may be your health at risk and that the company may not be in business tomorrow.

Recommendation # 3: Ask the right questions of a tile and grout cleaner before you hire.

Interview potential tile and grout cleaners by asking the following eight (8) questions:

1) How do I know when my surfaces need cleaning?

2) How often should I get my surfaces cleaned?

3) How long have you been in business?

4) Are you properly insured?

5) What type of equipment do you use?

6) Is your equipment HEPA equipped?

7) What training have you had in tile and grout cleaning?

8) Will a trained technician be on site at all times?

9) What is your Guaranty?

Recommendation # 4: Once you are satisfied that you are working with an honest, competent professional, invite him into your home or office and ask for a specific quotation in writing. A written quotation gives you the assurance that you know exactly what your job will cost--no surprises.

Recommendation # 5: A very important and often over looked detail is to sweep and clean high traffic areas frequently, once a week minimum to keep your floors free from dust dirt and debris so that if you spill something it won’t mix with the soil on the floor and carry it into the grout.

By following these five recommendations, you'll gain all the information you need to make an informed, intelligent decision.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you have--provide you a cost estimate or come into your home and give you a free written estimate--without cost or obligation of any kind. To reach me, call 407-862-9514.