For small businesses that perform their own janitorial, projects such as tile and grout cleaning can be a challenge. When trying to tackle this problem, some business owners, like homeowners, may consult resources like Youtube for a quick tutorial. While this cleaning process certainly isn’t rocket science, it can also be tedious and time-consuming work. If the project is done incorrectly, or if proper precautions aren’t taken, you can actually create more problems for yourself. In this post you’ll learn the answer to how professional tile and grout cleaning actually works.
The Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning Process
The first step begins with a trained eye, as the condition of the grout and the type of tile should be assessed. This is a key component of the professional service. A reputable professional should do an on-site inspection to identify the condition of the grout and diagnose the cleaning challenges. These can include:
- -Mold growth
- -Missing pieces of grout, or broken grout
- -The color of the grout
- -The type of tile
- -Broken tiles
- -Evidence of water damage
- -The condition of the sealer
A close inspection ensures that the grout is cleaned in a way that protects it from damage – and looks great afterward. It’s important to note that some cleaning agents out there can discolor or damage tile, degrade any sealer, and make the grout change color.
After inspecting the grout, the pros at Business Cleaning Solutions will consult you on the exact steps that will be undertaken to make the grout look great. If a substantial amount of grout or tile is missing, damaged, or cracked, then cleaning might not be the best course-of-action. In those extreme cases, they’ll advise you on actions you can take to make sure the floor is protected against future water intrusion and damage including having a flooring company re-do the grout entirely.
Tools of the Trade
To restore the look of your grout, pro cleaners have a number of tools and techniques at their disposal. Efficacy is key. Commercial products are concentrated and have a more powerful effect, which is one of the key differences between pro cleaning and many of the products used during a DIY effort.
Some flooring has old top sealer that must be chemically stripped off before any actual scrubbing is done. This involves laying down stripper, scrubbing, rinsing and wet vacuuming the floor.
After a floor is prepared for the actual cleaning a combination of machine and hand scrubbing is deployed. Commercial cleaning agents include penetrating, deep-cleaning solutions to remove surface dirt in the grout, along with any build-up that has seeped into the pores.
Rotary scrubbing machines are weighted down to increase pressure and scrubbing power. They are fitted with various brushes in order to achieve stronger agitation. Hand tools include grout brushes for targeting those narrow grout lines and corner spaces.
Grout Restoration Involving Light Acid Wash
For tougher grout cleaning jobs, a light acid wash is utilized to chemically emulsify any deep-set stains and other foreign substances. Professionals take numerous precautions during light acid washes as this aggressive method can degrade certain surrounding materials such as carpeting. After an acid washing and rinsing a long-lasting sealant is applied. Penetrating and impregnating sealer acts as barrier, preventing future dirt, grease and grime from entering into the tiny crevices in the grout.
In other words, your grout stays cleaner for longer because dirt can’t sneak down into cracks. Plus, it’s easy to take care of going forward since fewer particles are getting trapped below the surface.
Quick and Easy Cleaning
At Business Cleaning Solutions we can get your tile and grout floor cleaned and sealed on the same day. Even freshly cleaned floors can tolerate light traffic in as little as a few hours. Our tile cleaning service will have you back to your routine in no time.
In many cases the improved grout looks so good that it can appear to have been redone and replaced. Hiring a professional grout cleaner means not getting down on your hands and knees, no accidental damage, and no time-consuming scrubbing with sub-par equipment.
So, for less mess and stress schedule one of our Service Consultants to take a look at your tile and grout today!