These Stained Showers Were Fully Restored Thanks to Our Grout Sealing Process in Manhattan, NY
November 09, 2018
Grout sealing is a process in which a special sealant is applied to the grout to help repel water and other liquids. It also prevents stains, mold, mildew, and bacteria growth. Sealing is important because the most common composition of grout is either cement or sand. This means it can be very porous, prone to absorbing dirt, grime, liquids, and other harmful agents. Freshly installed grout looks beautiful, but when it deteriorates, it becomes unsightly, giving the entire surface an unclean appearance. Sealing the grout will help reduce its degradation, slow-down its wear and tear, and prolong its life-span. Grout is an essential component of tile installation. It holds the tiles in place and prevents water from leaking into the walls or floors. For this reason, it should be fully protected and properly maintained.
Depending on the area where the grout is, it can be subjected to different kinds of damages. For instance, in the shower, bar soap residue can seep into the grout lines, leaving nasty stains. These stains can be prevented if the grout is properly sealed. A married couple from Manhattan, NY was having problems with the condition of their showers. The soap residue had discolored and damaged the grout lines. It also left ugly stains on the floor tiles, giving the showers a rundown appearance. The couple tried to clean the surfaces using some DIY methods they found online, but despite their best effort, the condition of the showers didn't improve. Their unsuccessful attempts at cleaning the showers themselves led them to ask one of their friends for advice. He recommended Sir Grout Manhattan because he had heard we could restore most type of surfaces. Our grout sealing experts in Manhattan, NY were able to solve all the issues and leave the grout lines fully protected.
The couple followed their friend's advice and went online to visit our website. They wanted to get more information about us, so they read everything carefully. As they were browsing the site, the picture gallery got their attention. They were amazed to see all the dirty and stained showers were left clean, refreshed, and flawless. After looking at the pictures, they read testimonials and comments from previous satisfied clients. The couple was impressed with all the positive feedback we have received from our customers. This convinced them we could solve their showers' problems. They decided to fill out the "Request a Quote" form to schedule a free in-home consultation.
A couple of days later, we arrived at their house for the showers' assessment and to offer an effective solution for the problems. After briefly greeting the owners, we began the evaluation. We immediately noticed the soap scum accumulation on the showers' floor had formed a gray, filmy layer on the surfaces and made them look stained. This is caused when the minerals in hard water react with the fatty acids in bar soap residue. We also noticed the grout was full of dirt and badly discolored. We explained to the couple that they couldn't get rid of the blemishes because the grout lines were damaged. Furthermore, the grout was unsealed and exposed to all sorts of damaging external agents. To remove the stains, restore, and seal the grout, the showers needed professional maintenance.
We offered a grout sealing service to seal the grout lines with our special sealant and shield them from future damages. We would also remove all the stains from the surfaces with our top of the line products, professional equipment, and tested methods. We assured the owners the showers would have a beautiful new appearance when we finished our work. The couple was happy with our assessment and the solution we proposed. They accepted our offer and agreed to set up a date for the job.
We returned to our clients' house on the appointed date to begin the restoration of the showers' floors. Our grout sealing process is a multi-step procedure that requires thorough execution. We began by cleaning the surface using our special pH-neutral product and a high-speed scrubber. Our exclusive cleaner is soap-free and safe for tiles and grout. It won't leave any residue that could be absorbed by the grout lines and won't stain or discolor the tiles. Also, its revamped new formula can help inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. Once the floor was no longer dirty, we were ready for the next step. We cleaned the old, damaged, stained grout lines and performed all the repairs that were necessary. After making sure the grout was completely fixed, we removed the soap scum stains with a hard water stain remover.
Everything was fully restored, so we were ready to proceed with the sealing process. To seal the grout lines, we applied our state-of-the-art ColorSeal. This product prevents the absorption of liquids and provides protection against dirt, grime, and all other harmful external agents. Once our sealant is applied, maintaining the surface isn't a problem because it makes cleaning routines easier and faster. Excessive scrubbing will not be necessary to clean the floors. Furthermore, it comes in a wide range of colors so the owners can match the grout with the tiles, enhancing the appearance of their surfaces. We performed all the steps in both showers. After the process, the floors were sealed, renewed, and in great condition. With the right maintenance, the showers would remain looking beautiful for a long time.
When we finished the work, we invited our clients to see the outcome. The owners were beyond happy with the renewed appearance of the floors. They were pleased to see that the grout lines no longer had a darkish color and that the nasty stains had been removed from the surfaces. The couple was impressed by the quality of our work, and after thanking us, they said our performance had gone beyond their expectations. From that point on, they would recommend our service to all their friends, family, and neighbors.
We always take time to teach our clients how to perform proper maintenance on their restored surfaces. We provide them with long term results that are easy to maintain. Before we left, we gave the owners some recommendations and suggestions to make cleaning routines easier, faster, and safer. This would ensure the top condition of the surfaces would last for a long time:
- Establish a cleaning routine for every one or two weeks. Use only 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 also has ingredients that can help provide protection against bacteria and fungi. Soap-based cleaners leave residue that seeps deep into the grout lines, promoting mold and mildew growth. Cleaners with acidic properties, on the other hand, are harsh and can discolor the grout and break it. These types of products should be avoided.
- Use liquid soap instead of bar soap. This alternative won't leave any residue on the tiles and grout. Soap scum is nothing more than bar soap foam that has re-hardened on the surface, leaving ugly stains. Not using these soaps will help prevent soap scum accumulation in the showers.
- Keep the showers dry and well ventilated. This is important to prevent fungi growth due to the humidity of the environment. Leave the door ajar or a window open, especially after hot showers. Also, when drying the surface, use a squeegee, a towel or a terry cloth. Squeegeeing is a great way to prevent soap scum buildup.
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