Many homes have tile & grout. It is durable and comes in many colors and designs which makes it an attractive flooring option. Likewise, this type of flooring requires some special consideration when it comes to proper cleaning and maintenance. Professional tile and grout cleaning services can provide years of beauty and functionality. We are often asked many questions about tile and grout- let’s take a look at some of the top questions homeowners are asking.
Why should I have my tile & grout cleaned?
Just like carpet, soil builds up over time dulling your tile’s appearance and discoloring your grout. Regular mopping and wiping up spills cannot remove the soil that has penetrated the porous grout lines. A thorough, professional tile & grout cleaning is the only way to remove the deep-down dirt and rejuvenate the appearance of your tiled areas.
Why should I have my tile & grout sealed?
Grout is a porous material that absorbs soil and spills. Having sealant applied will help create a protective barrier, giving you more time to clean up dirt and liquid spills before they soak into the grout. After cleaning we recommend that you have the grout sealed. If you choose this option, your Scrubby Corp technician will apply a coat of impregnating sealant to your grout.
We can apply sealant on the same day that we clean, and you can walk on the surfaces approximately four hours after application. We recommend not using a shower for 24 hours after the sealant is applied. When our trained staff applies the sealant, a barrier is created, minimizing the amount of soil that can seep into the grout pores.
This helps the grout stay cleaner, loner and maintenance are simple because the soil doesn’t penetrate deep into the pores, instead of remaining on the surface for you to clean off. The impregnating sealant does not change the appearance of the tile or grout. Newer installations may have a latex or urethane grout which does not require sealing.
How do you clean my tile & grout?
Professional tile & grout cleaning services use specialty cleaning agents designed specifically for tile, grout and natural stone. These are formulated to remove mineral sealing, yellowing soap scum, greasy soils, etc. and rinse free using a high-pressure, rotary water jet sprayer and extraction system.
How do you seal my tile & grout?
We use an impregnating sealant. These sealants are water or solvent based solutions that penetrate below the surface and become repellents. They are generally hydrophobic (water repelling) but are also oleophobic (oil repelling). Impregnators keep contaminants out but do not stop interior moisture from escaping. Using proper cleaning products your sealant will repel soil for a long time.
How often should I have my tile & grout cleaned?
As with carpet, many factors must be considered when determining the frequency of cleaning. Foot traffic, children, pets and routine floor maintenance will affect how often you need to have your tile & grout cleaned. Sealant and maintenance care are also important factors in determining how often a professional is needed. Sealant helps to keep dirt on the surface for maintenance cleaning & removal.
It is important not to use acidic cleaning agents for maintenance. Acidic cleaning agents would compromise the sealant allowing dirt to seep into the porous material and making it hard, if not impossible, for common maintenance. We recommend cleaning with warm water and a neutral pH cleaning agent such as dish detergent.
How long will it take to have my tile cleaned & sealed?
For an average size room (up to 250 square feet), it typically takes 45-90 minutes to clean the tile & grout. This can vary based on several factors including the size of the tile, amount of soil in the grout lines, and room configuration. If you choose to have sealant applied, it typically takes 2-3 hours to complete the entire process.
How long after the sealant is applied before I can return to normal use of my tiled area?
We recommend that you wait 2-3 hours before walking on floors to allow the sealant to dry. It will take 24 hours for the sealant to cure completely. So, shower and tub areas should not be used before the next day. We suggest that you avoid any liquid meeting the sealant during that time.
Do I have to use a special cleaner after the sealant is applied?
To preserve the life of the sealant, we recommend that you use a neutral cleaner on your floor (non-acidic.) Rinsing after mopping will also help. You will want to avoid bleach and other harsh chemical cleaners as these can clear away at the sealant and cause it to break down prematurely. Our technicians can recommend be best tips for cleaning and maintenance between professional cleanings.
