Our Grout Sealing Experts Restored and Protected the Limestone Surfaces at the Refinery Hotel in Manhattan

October 19, 2018

Limestone is one the oldest flooring materials. It dates back centuries ago when it was used all around Europe to build cathedrals and churches that stand sturdy to this day. This testifies to the timeless elegance and beauty that this natural stone provides. It's highly durable and adds an air of sophistication to any space. There are dozens of styles and muted earth tones to choose from as well, making it ideal for a variety of settings. For the Refinery Hotel in Manhattan, NY, using limestone for the entire lobby was the right choice. It gave the place a classic yet modern appearance that went well with the hotel's décor. However, even with its enduring appeal, the foot traffic given by the hundreds of guests in the hotel is likely to take a toll on the stone and cause deterioration. The surfaces can get scratched, stained, and discolored. The grout lines can acquire a darkish, unclean appearance. This can give the limestone an unsightly look that is not suitable for a hotel.


All the facilities in the Hotel's lobby are equipped with limestone. This includes the public restrooms, bar, restaurant, and elevator cabs. For this reason, the surfaces require a high level of maintenance to keep them looking their best. The crew in charge of the hotel's maintenance performs regular cleaning routines, but the daily wear and tear had caused the stone to lose its appeal. It looked dull and scratched. The grout lines were full of dirt, soiled, and deteriorated. The staff did their best to improve the condition of the surfaces using several methods and products, such as ammonia, vinegar, and baking soda. Unfortunately, all the attempts were unsuccessful. There were no positive results. In fact, they saw signs of more deterioration in some areas. The surfaces needed sealing to be fully protected and restored. Fortunately, our grout sealing experts in Manhattan, NY were able to solve all the issues.

The maintenance crew notified the manager of the condition of the limestone in the lobby's facilities. He went to inspect the surfaces and noticed their unappealing condition. He decided to look for professional assistance. The manager went online and searched for the best hard surface restoration company in Manhattan, NY. He found Sir Grout Manhattan in the top results. As he was checking the site, the picture gallery caught his attention. The pictures showcased the outstanding results we provide our customers. He was relieved to see we had restored countless natural stone surfaces. After browsing the gallery, he read testimonials from previous satisfied clients. The feedback certified the success of our processes and the quality of our work. The manager was convinced we could bring back the appeal of the lobby's surfaces. He scheduled a free consultation by filling out the "Request a Quote" form.

We arrived a few days later for the evaluation and to offer the most effective solution for the restoration. The manager greeted us, and after a brief introduction, we proceeded with the inspection of the surfaces. At first glance, we noticed the grout lines suffered from accumulation of dirt and grime. Because of this, the grout had turned a darkish color that gave the surfaces a dirty, unclean appearance. This was caused by heavy foot traffic, improper cleaning methods, and harsh products. This daily wear and tear caused the floors to become dull and scratched, losing their elegance. The biggest flaw we spotted was that the limestone and the grout lines lacked sealant. We explained to the manager that because of this, the surfaces were exposed to all sorts of damage from external agents. This job required special processes, professional equipment, and high-quality products.


We offered a grout sealing service to seal all the grout lines and the limestone floors using our advanced techniques and exclusive stone-safe products, ensuring optimal results. We would also hone and polish all the lobby's facilities to restore their charm and elegance. We assured the manager the entire lobby would have a brand-new appearance when we finished. He was pleased with our assessment and the solution we proposed. The manager accepted our offer and agreed to set up a date for the job.

We returned to the hotel on the scheduled day to begin with the restoration. It was going to be a thorough, skillful process that required the most efficient methods and consisted of several steps. A considerable number of surfaces needed our attention. We worked on the entire lobby, including public restrooms, bar, restaurant, and elevator cabs. We started by cleaning the surfaces using a stone-safe cleaner and a high-speed scrubber. This product now has an enhanced formula that can help inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. The surface can stay clean for an extended period of time after its application. When the floor was no longer dirty, we performed all the necessary repairs in the grout lines and left them pristine and spotless. Once this was completed, we stripped the floor's coating and made sure it was ready for the honing process.

We ran three sets of honing pads with increasing levels of grit. We continued grinding until all the dull spots, scratches, and stains were removed. When this was completed, we began the polishing process. To polish the stone and achieve the gloss desired by our client, we increased the level of grit and grinded using a series of abrasive materials and our special powders. Once that was done, we continued by sealing the stone with our exclusive and unique Stone Armor. This sealant is especially useful on floors because it protects the surfaces from the wear and tear of heavy foot traffic, and shields them from all sorts of liquids, providing protection against stains and other damaging agents. It also enhances the limestone by giving it a brand-new look.

To finish the process, we sealed the grout lines with ColorSeal. This high-quality sealant blocks the absorption of water and protects the surfaces against dirt, grime, and all other harmful external agents, all while making cleaning routines easier and faster. It also enhances the look of the grout lines by giving them a uniform color and a refreshed appearance. It comes in a wide range of colors and we used the one that matched the hotel's limestone. The tiles were buffed, protected, and looking beautiful. With the right maintenance, this great condition would last for a long time.

The surfaces had been fully restored and the lobby looked fantastic. All the dirt, stains, and scratches had been removed from the stone, revealing its natural charm. The grout lines on the floors had a pristine, spotless appearance and a vibrant new color. The limestone was completely sealed and protected against all damages, thanks to our special sealants. All the facilities looked in top condition and they were finally free of all the issues that caused the natural stone to lose its allure. This level of restoration was only possible with our professional tools, top-notch techniques, and our high-quality exclusive products.

We invited the manager to see the outcome of the process. He saw the floors and was amazed because they no longer looked dull or dirty. The limestone had recovered its allure and beauty. He continued inspecting the rest of the facilities and he was pleasantly surprised with the pristine condition of everything. The manager was happy with the results and said our performance had gone beyond his expectations. He asked us to perform monthly maintenance on the lobby's facilities. After thanking us, he stated that from that point on, he would recommend our services to everyone he knew. Sir Grout Manhattan had become his company of choice for hard surface restoration.

Before leaving, we gave the maintenance crew some recommendations and suggestions to perform safer and more effective cleaning routines. We recommended using pH-neutral soap-free cleaners like Sir Grout's Natural Hard Surface Cleaner. Our product doesn't leave residue and won't cause damage to the tiles and grout. It now has ingredients that can help provide protection against bacteria and fungi. It is also important to keep the surface as dry as possible. Spills shouldn't be left lingering on the floors for long periods of time. If any spill occurs, it should be removed immediately using a towel or a terry cloth. We asked that they avoid using abrasive tools because they can scratch the limestone tiles. When scrubbing the surfaces, excessive force is not necessary after our sealants are applied. They will be able to clean the floors with minimal effort.

We do not recommend using soap-based or acidic cleaners. These products contain harsh agents that can deteriorate the grout or stain the tiles. They leave a residue that causes damage to the grout lines and can discolor or even break them. This can lead to more severe issues, such as water leakage. Also, we suggest avoiding dirty mops when cleaning the floors. Rinsing a dirty mop into the cleaning solution leads to grime build-up. For this reason, only clean mops should be used. These easy to follow recommendations, our experienced process, and our superior products would help keep the floors looking spotless and pristine.

It is possible to restore your natural stone surfaces to their prime days with Sir Grout Manhattan's professional help. Our award-winning grout sealing processes will leave any surface fully protected and with a brand-new look. We provide the most experienced and qualified assistance that will make your natural stone alluring once again. As a leading company in the hard surface restoration industry, we offer the most effective techniques to help you. Don't hesitate to contact us by calling (718) 557-9283 or by filling out our "Request a Quote" form for a free in-home consultation. We will attend you gladly. Also, keep up to date with our latest info and promotions by subscribing to our newsletter.

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