Tile Care Tips, Got Ugly Grout

Basic Maintenance Tips
How To Take Care Of & Clean Your Tile And Grout

1. Always notice the condition of your grout & caulk while you shower. Attend to any openings immediately! Wipe down all of the walls with a towel after use. This removes water & soap scum before they dry. If you don't wipe, at least squeegee the walls down. This will greatly help in keeping it clean.

2. Always have a leaky shower head or faucet fixed right away. A small crack in the grout or caulk can lead to an expensive repair if it is not repaired. Leaky plumbing can also lead to expensive wall damage if not attended to right away.

3. Be aware of trouble areas in your shower and inspect them regularly. Areas include rim of a bathtub, spigots, spigot covers, shower windows, soap dishes, shower doors and stall shower base. At least once a month carefully visually inspect all these areas as well as all the tile in your shower for missing or cracked grout. Fixing these small problems early can save you money in tile repair.

4. For showers with high humidity and low ventilation or with mold problems regularly bleach the area down. We use a 50/50 solution of water and bleach in a spray bottle or a bleach containing tub & tile cleaner. Spray on and allow it to soak for several minutes and rinse down. This should kill mold and mildew before it has a chance to breed and grow deep into the grout lines. Depending on how bad your problem is you may want to do this anywhere from once every two months to once a week. Always test any cleaners before using. Check with manufacture recommendations. This may not be recommended for some natural stone or marble. Mold is destructive and should be stopped as soon as it is detected.

5. Once a week or at least once every 30 days, spray all the walls down with a tub & tile cleaner. Allow the cleaner to soak for several minutes and sponge clean. Then rinse with clean water. This simple 10 minute process done once a month can add years to your tile and grouts appearance.

Do's & Don'ts

*	Do not use cleansers containing acid or bleach for routine maintenance.
*	Do not use wax cleaners, oil based detergents or sealers to maintain your tile. (sealers may be used on grout joints and natural stone.) Swiffer wet cleaners are not recommended.
*	Do not use AMMONIA or VINEGAR - they will discolor the grout.
*	Do not use harsh cleaning aids like steel wool pads or scouring pads containing metals.
*	Do not use a cleaning agent that contains color on unglazed ceramic tile or natural stone.
*	Do not wash down your tiles with the same dirty water you washed your dishes with. You will be putting food and grease stains into the grout. Always use a clean cloth with clean soap and water.
*	Do not apply sealers on the tile or stone. Grout sealers are for Grout only!

*	Do have your grout sealed.
*	Do test scouring powders on a small area first (not recommended for natural stone).
*	Do have any damaged or broken tiles removed and replaced only by a qualified contractor.
*	Do notice the condition of your grout & caulk. Attend to any openings immediately!

RE-GROUTING
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q: What is a sealer and should I seal my bathroom tile?
A: The sealer is a liquid that is applied to the grout about 2 days after the grout work is done. Once it is applied it soaks into the grout and dries creating a protective barrier against water and dirt. We strongly recommend you seal your grout and tile after it has been newly re-grouted or any new tile installation. It can greatly extend the life of your grout and even make it easier to clean as the dirt will tend to float on the surface rather then penetrate deep into the grout. We can also steam clean your grout for like new appearance and then seal it for results that last.

Q: How often should I seal my grout?
A: To protect your tile and grout you may want to perform regular maintenance including steam cleaning or regular cleaning a few times a year. It is also very important to visually inspect your entire area for any missing or cracking grout or caulking. You should fix any such failing caulk or grout right away. If you like, we can come in and power clean your walls, tend to any missing grout or caulk, making sure your walls are safe from any leaks. We will then re-seal your grout. Feel free to call about this service.

Q: How do I keep my shower looking clean and new?
A: If you are going to clean it on your own the most effective way of all is to simply dry the walls and tub with a towel after every use. By doing this soap scum and hard water will have no chance to build up. Mold can only grow in a high moisture environment so if you dry it you should have no problems with mold. Another good method is to use a shower squeegee to dry the walls after your shower.

Q: What do I do if I find some grout or caulk has opened up?
A: Make sure you call us to fix this problem or fill it yourself. A small hole that allows water to get behind your tile or tub can over a period of time, even a short time, make this seemingly insignificant problem into a huge mess and a costly repair. It is a good idea to stop once every month and eye-up the entire shower looking for holes or openings. These minor problems can be fixed with a minimum of effort but left alone can become a real problem. If you think your grout is failing you should have it re-grouted. Give us a call, we'll take care of it for you.

Q: Why is my grout cracking?
A: If you have an older tile installation and the grout keeps disappearing you may have a problem. If you tap on the tiles and hear a hollow sound this means that the surface below the tile has deteriorated and the tiles have lost their bond. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, try resetting the tiles yourself or call us and we will do the job for you.

Tile is known for its durability and ease to clean. However, most people are not aware of how to protect, maintain and preserve their tile floors to keep them looking beautiful. Unfortunately, stained grout can impair the entire tile's appearance. Grout is a cement-like material which is porous and absorbent. Grout holds in many contaminants like bacteria, dirt, grease, stains, odor, and mold. The solution to dirty grout can begin with our cleaning procedures and sealing or staining applications.