by Houston Groutsmith | Oct 3, 2019 | Grout Cleaning Houston, Grout Sealing, Tile Cleaning Tips
No matter how much you love your home, dirty grout and tile can feel frustrating. Hiring a professional grout cleaning company to freshen your tiled spaces is the perfect solution. It provides many benefits to your home— that is, when you hire the right company.
At Houston Groutsmith, we’ve provided homeowners with professionals who know how to assess and resolve grout and tile issues for homes in the Sugarland, TX area for years. Due to our experience, we know what to look for in a professional so you can be sure you will get the cleaning you desire.
Here are 10 traits a grout and tile cleaning company should have to ensure your cleaning is completed to your standards.
1. Experience in Your Project Area
The overall experience of a company will give you an indication of its skill level. However, it is also important to ensure a professional grout cleaning company has experience in your specific project area. You can even ask about the training or experience of the exact employee coming to work on your home. Do they have training certifications or can you see some of their work?
2. Professional Equipment and Solutions
One of the biggest benefits to a professional grout and tile cleaning is that companies can get a much deeper clean with their equipment than you can with store-bought or homemade products and elbow grease. But if a company is not up-to-date on cleaning technology or professional cleaning solutions, you won’t be getting the thorough clean you desire.
You should also watch out for products and equipment that can be potentially damaging to your grout and tile, such as harsh steam or carpet cleaners.
3. Good Communication
Any contractor or company you allow to work on your home needs to have good communication skills. This will keep you on top of your project and will make scheduling easier. They should be clear in what their processes will look like and the products they will be using. They should also be available to answer your questions.
If you find that scheduling with the company is a difficult process, they likely are not effective communicators.
4. Trustworthiness/Reliability
When you let any professional into your home, you want to feel secure that they are trustworthy and reliable. Will they show up on time? Will the project be completed in the time frame they have laid out? If issues arise during the cleaning process, will they make you aware? Reliability is key.
Referrals are one of the best ways to diagnose if reliability and trustworthiness are traits a company possesses. Look for reviews indicating the company’s team arrived on time and was respectful of previous clients’ homes.
5. Knowledgeability
Every type of tile from porcelain to natural stone needs different care. The cleaning process should never be one size fits all. Different types of grout will also require different types of care. Look for a professional grout cleaner with a vast array of knowledge who doesn’t offer only one type of cleaning service.
6. Affordable Yet Fair Pricing
It’s nice to get a good deal on any home maintenance project, but pricing alone shouldn’t be your deciding factor. Look for a company that is affordable yet fair in its pricing. If pricing is too cheap, it often means cheap products, processes, or lackluster work. Fair pricing will look out for you as a homeowner while still offering the highest level of care and attention to your grout and tile.
7. Insured and Bonded
Insurance does two things. It protects your home in the event of an accident, and it also protects you as the homeowner from liability if an injury occurs on your property. Before allowing anyone into your home, check that they are properly insured to keep you out of trouble.
8. Positive Reviews
A good rapport with past clients can go a long way in indicating that a professional grout cleaning company holds high standards for itself. You don’t want a company that simply works to complete a project and cash your check. Look for a company that values your home the way you do. If previous clients felt valued and loved the worked completed, you know that company will provide you with most of the traits we have already mentioned.
9. Aligned Values
What do you value most in your grout and tile cleaning? Is it the use of green or acid-free products? Is it an effective clean regardless of the products used? Is it the protection of the rest of your home? Is it innovation in technology?
Whatever you want, not just from a cleaning but from the company in your home, should align with the traits and values of the company you hire for your cleaning. Such aligned traits will help determine if a company is a good fit for your home. Don’t be afraid to ask questions regarding the detailed processes and products that company will use in your space.
10. A You-Based Mission and Vision
It’s not wrong to believe that when a company works in your home, the service should be about you. After all, it’s your home they are dealing with. If you can find a mission statement on a company’s website, what does it say? Is it about enabling you as a homeowner and meeting your needs?
Get Clean Grout and Tile with a Trusted Professional
You shouldn’t have to worry about the appearance of your Sugarland grout and tile. The Houston Groutsmith team is licensed and bonded to help protect your home. We utilize the newest cleaning technology and avoid harsh carpet cleaners or acid-based cleaning solutions. We treat your home as our own and seek to empower you with the right knowledge to properly care for your tile.
Our team of professionals can give you the highest level of clean while protecting the integrity of your grout and tile, leaving you with tile you can be proud of. Get a free estimate today!
by Houston Groutsmith | Sep 4, 2019 | Grout Cleaning Houston, Grout Sealing, Tile Cleaning Houston, Tile Cleaning Tips
Since the beginning of time, mold has been a nuisance for homeowners, so you’re not alone in dealing with its appearance. Our South Houston Groutsmith team has found that while homeowners know mold growth is or can be a real problem in their spaces, they do not know how to effectively combat it.
Here are some of the ways we recommend caring for your South Houston tiled spaces to keep mold from overtaking their surfaces.
What Stimulates Mold Growth?
Unlike most plants, mold does not require sunlight to grow, which is why it is often found in dark areas. But there are three essential elements required for the production and spread of mold:
- Warmth
- Moisture
- Organic materials
Where all three of these materials are present, you can be sure to experience mold growth. So, the best way to reduce mold spreading is to cut off one or all of these sources.
Here are some ways to help inhibit mold growth in your home.
1. Proper Ventilation
Rooms that experience excessive moisture should be properly ventilated. This can be done through a vent or by opening a window. The most important room to ventilate is the bathroom.
Due to steam from hot water running in your shower, bathrooms are extremely humid rooms. That humidity plays into mold’s development, growth, and spreading. Be sure to run your bathroom vent through the entirety of your shower and leave it running for up to twenty minutes after your shower has ended.
If you are lucky enough to have a window in your bathroom, consider cracking it open during your shower to allow steam and water vapor to escape. Homes that lack sufficient air movement provide the perfect conditions for mold development, which is another reason why cracking a window can keep your bathroom (or any room) mold-free.
2. Squeegee
This tip is specifically designed to help keep mold out of your bathroom shower. After each shower, use a squeegee to remove excess water, running it from the top of your shower to the bottom. If you have glass shower doors, make sure to do this on the glass as well.
3. Wipe It Up (Right Away)
It’s tempting to tell yourself that you’ll clean up a spill later. But one of the best ways to protect your tile and grout from mold growth is to clean up spills and splatters right away (and it’s free too).
Moisture, grease splatters, food particles, and other organic materials that fall to your floor and are left for any period of time have the opportunity to penetrate into your tiled surfaces. But cleaning up a spill right after it occurs eliminates these mold growth stimulants from garnering this opportunity and will keep your tile much cleaner and mold-free.
If your home has a pool, make sure to dry the tiled areas after family and guests have returned inside from the fun.
4. Keep Damp Cloths Off the Floor
The fibers in cloth materials are just the kind of organic substances that mold feeds off of. You may have noticed that damp clothes and towels quickly garner a mildew smell—because they give mold and mildew everything they need to thrive.
Throw those clothes on the ground, and you give mold the chance to move from cloth to tile.
After a shower, be sure to properly hang your towel to dry, keeping it off the floor and keeping it from accumulating mold. Don’t throw wet clothes, cloths, or blankets onto the tile in your bedroom or laundry room. Ensure they go into a basket, but allow them the opportunity to dry out beforehand if possible.
And an often-forgotten source of wet material is area rugs. Entryway rugs, shower mats, even kitchen mats can get wet from spilled water, not fully dried-off kids, or tracked in rainwater. Check your rugs periodically to ensure you are not allowing wet mats to sit on your floor and produce mold.
5. Store Soaps and Creams Elsewhere
Mold has to eat, just like any other living organism. Therefore, water is not the only factor contributing to mold growth. Soap scum provides it with food too. Keep soap scum out of your bathroom by removing, drying, and storing your soaps and creams outside of your shower.
Wipe up any soap residue that is left on the wall or floor tile.
6. Routine Cleanings
Cleaning your floors plays a large role in reducing mold’s ability to grow and thrive. Establishing a schedule for daily cleanings, weekly deep cleans, and annual professional services can go a long way in protecting your grout and tile surfaces.
Your daily cleanings should be removing any soap, grease, dirt, water, and food buildup on the tile. Weekly cleanings should utilize a safe and effective cleaning agent to more thoroughly and deeply scrub your grout and tile, ridding the pores of any bacteria they may be harboring and thoroughly cleaning the surfaces.
But to really keep your tile and grout in top shape and mold-free, hire a professional tile cleaning company for an annual cleaning.
7. Regular Sealing
To keep water and soap residue from penetrating the pores of your bathroom tile and grout, have them professionally sealed. By applying a sealer, you create a protective barrier over the surface of your tile. This inhibits mold growth by keeping moisture and the organic materials needed to feed mold from collecting. And where mold does not have moisture or food, it cannot thrive.
Defeat Mold in Your Home
Don’t give mold a leg to stand on in your home. By utilizing these tips, you can help keep mold at bay. And when you are ready for a professional to give you the edge on mold, we are ready to help. If you live in the South Houston area, our team is ready to tackle your grout and tile needs. Get a free estimate.
by Houston Groutsmith | Aug 1, 2019 | Tile Cleaning Houston, Tile Cleaning Tips
When you want a beautiful and luxurious feel to your bathroom, you invest in a natural stone shower. Travertine is a popular tile choice because it adds elegance to a room and its neutral color palette matches most home styles.
But the main travertine shower problem for South Houston homeowners is how to keep them looking fresh and beautiful — even with daily use.
What if there was a way to help take the headache out of caring for the travertine in your shower? Well, there is. Professionally sealing your grout and tile surfaces is the solution for keeping your travertine pristine, as the luxurious investment you meant it to be.
1. Saves You Time and Elbow Grease
Cleaning your shower tile can be one of the biggest headaches in homecare. While you use a shower to clean yourself, that shower becomes filled with dirt, grime, and soap scum that rinses over its surface.
Having your shower tile sealed makes the cleaning process far easier. It will reduce the cleaning time and cut the amount of elbow grease needed to get your shower tile thoroughly cleaned.
Instead of having to scrub out scum and stains, cleaning will involve easily wiping down your shower’s tile with a natural stone cleaner and watching its surface look beautiful again.
2. Reduced Mold Growth
Mold is more likely to appear in moist areas. No place harbors more excess moisture than your bathroom, in particular, your showers. Your shower is therefore prone to experiencing the onset of mold and mildew.
Travertine and the grout surrounding it are both porous substances. They harbor bacteria and moisture in their pores. But this is where sealing steps in.
Sealers help to create a protective barrier over your natural stone tile to keep water and debris from collecting and producing mold. Without moisture absorption, mold cannot grow or thrive.
3. Makes Your Shower Stone More Sanitary
By creating a seal over your shower, protecting it from mold growth and dirt collection, your tile stays more sanitary. Unsealed tile harbors bacteria that your at-home cleanings are unable to properly remove.
Wiping down your surfaces will only do so much to lift dirt and bacteria from tiled areas. Even using an abrasive object like baking soda to lift dirt and clean grout can only penetrate so far. Sealing is the only way to effectively keep the filth out of the pores in travertine and its grout.
4. Prevents the Onset of Stains
Travertine is prone to staining for the same reason it is prone to mold growth— pores. As a natural, porous stone, travertine absorbs liquids and can become discolored and stained.
As these stains set in, they can become difficult or even impossible to remove. But sealer protects your stone from penetrating stains, making them easier to remove and keeping them from ever having the opportunity to discolor your travertine or the surrounding grout.
5. Prevents Etching
As a natural stone, travertine can be prone to etching. Etching is the creation of dull spots on natural stone due to chemical reactions between the natural stone’s makeup and acidic substances. Natural stone has a certain luster to it, but certain cleaning agents and products that come in contact with its surface can eat away at your stone and cause it to dull and, in severe cases, even cause the texture of the stone to change.
Sealer provides a layer over the stone to keep these substances from causing etching, which can sometimes be irreversible.
6. Makes Your Travertine Tile Last
Sealing keeps you from needing excessive grout and tile replacements and restorations. By protecting your tile from dirt and stains, your tile will last longer. Having grout sealed also helps to keep the bonding of grout intact instead of being scrubbed away by harsh products and abrasive methods over time.
Having your tile sealed is not a super expensive process, but having to replace grout and tile can be extremely expensive. Sealing tile preserves your tile and saves you money.
How Often Should I Seal My Shower Tile?
Most residential showers undergo multiple uses every day. Because of this, shower tile sealings wear down faster than other tiled areas of the home. And because the sealer can wear down and showers have an abundance of moisture, soap scum, and dirt continually coating their surface, you should have your South Houston shower professionally resealed annually.
However, if you notice your tile absorbing moisture, discoloring, or the grout becoming significantly dirty, you should have your tile professionally cleaned and sealed sooner than a year.
While you can purchase DIY sealers at the store, nothing can coat your travertine natural stone the way a professional grout and tile company can.
The benefit of hiring a professional is that they can effectively clean your tile before applying the new sealer, leaving you with like-new tile that is easier to clean and won’t absorb the filth in your shower.
Protect Your South Houston Tile with a Professional Sealing
When you want to quit worrying about your travertine shower and simply start enjoying its beauty, having a professional grout and tile sealing can help give you all the benefits above. At Houston Groutsmith, our team’s goal is to see you enjoying your home, not stressing over its care.
Check out the value Houston Groutsmith offers for professional grout and tile sealing services in the South Houston and Sugar Land areas. You’ll see common problems most homeowners look to us to solve, and see before and after pictures of how we helped them protect their grout and tile. When you are ready to seal your tile, look to our team for a free demo and estimate.
by Houston Groutsmith | Jul 9, 2019 | Grout Cleaning Houston, Tile Cleaning Houston, Tile Cleaning Tips
One of the most satisfying feelings for a South Houston homeowner is a sparkling clean home. The bathroom tends to become particularly messy from everyday use, and having it professionally cleaned can bring ultimate satisfaction.
While there are many reasons to have your shower tile professionally cleaned, the reality is that it’s not plausible or possible to have a professional cleaning on a daily or even weekly basis. So how can you keep that fresh, clean feeling in your bathroom in between professional cleanings?
The key is to implement a routine and follow the proper cleaning processes specific to grout and tile cleaning.
Perform Daily Cleaning
If you desire to keep your shower tile and grout looking its best, you should implement a daily cleaning routine. It does not have to be difficult, just something that quickly cleans your shower and dries the excess moisture.
For a daily routine, you will want a few products on hand:
- Squeegee
- Microfiber cloth
- Mild cleaning agent
Step 1:
After your shower, squeegee all surfaces from top to bottom: tiled walls, seats, and glass doors. Make sure you have removed as much moisture as possible.
Step 2:
Apply the cleaning agent to your grout and tile. Allow the cleaning agent to sit for a few minutes while you perform your after-shower routine.
Step 3:
Once the cleaning agent has set in, wipe your shower with a microfiber cloth to remove all moisture. You don’t need to apply major elbow grease during this cleaning. Allowing the cleaner to sit and repeating this process daily will prove sufficient help come time for a deeper clean.
As a side note, be sure to run your vent fan during your showers to help remove excess moisture, and allow it to run after your shower until the air in the bathroom is no longer humid. Ensure that all family members at least squeegee the moisture from the shower.
Don’t Let Products Sit in the Shower
Remove products from your shower. This is a tip that world-renowned tidying expert Marie Kondo promotes, and as a professional grout and tile cleaning company, we could not recommend it more.
Soaps left in your shower creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, not to mention that it can create a scum buildup. After you have showered and used your products (shampoos, conditioners, body soaps, shaving creams, etc.), remove them and dry them off before placing them in a cupboard.
Provide a Weekly Deep Cleaning
Your shower could use a deep clean at least once a week. It’s a great idea to schedule a pre-set day each week to set aside half an hour to an hour to scrub out your shower. This routine cleaning really will make the difference in the overall cleanliness of your tile.
For your deep clean routine, you will need:
- Tile/grout cleaner(s) (You can use store-bought cleaners or DIY recipes.)
- Scrub Brush (Do not use metal bristles on tile or grout.)
- Toothbrush
- Baking soda (as needed for gentle abrasion)
- Microfiber cloth
Step 1:
Begin by applying your cleaner to the shower tiles and grout. Spray on your mixture or apply a paste containing baking soda to the tiles and grout. A baking soda paste should always be applied to grout to help lift dirt and brighten stains. Allow the tile cleaner to sit for a minimum of 10 minutes.
Step 2:
Apply a mold killing agent to areas sprouting noticeable mold. Always use adequate ventilation and a mask when scrubbing mold as spore can get into the air. Be careful when using agents containing bleach. Allow the mold cleaner to sit for even longer than your normal tile cleaner before completing the following steps on the affected areas.
Step 3:
Use your scrub brush and ample elbow grease to thoroughly clean the tile. For even deeper cleanings with your grout, use a toothbrush to concentrate on the grout lines.
Step 4:
Rinse the shower thoroughly. Then dry all moisture using the microfiber cloth. Keep your vent fan running for twenty minutes after the cleaning to remove excess moisture and prevent mold growth.
Use Only Approved Products
Different tiles and grout will require different cleaning products or will need certain cleaning agents omitted from their ingredients. (For example: Avoid acids like lemon and vinegar on stone tile.) Make sure you utilize only products that are approved for your specific tile type.
If you have questions about correct product usage, our team of South Houston grout and tile cleaning professionals has the answers.
Work from Top to Bottom
Start from the top of your shower and work your way down. Your floor tile should be the last portion of your tile cleaned.
Gravity works while you are cleaning, so if you clean lower portions of your shower first, as you rinse off the dirty, higher portions, all that dirt and grime will run over the surfaces of your clean tile and can get trapped in the clean grout.
This cleaning pattern should be used on all forms of tile and grout including kitchen backsplashes, fireplaces, and any other vertical surfaces.
Make Professional Cleanings and Sealing Part of Your Home Routine
Getting into a pattern of cleaning your tiled surfaces will help to extend their life and prevent the need for excessive professional cleanings.
However, calling in a professional to clean beyond the reach of your home cleanings will eventually be needed, and we can help. See our grout and tile cleaning services to learn how our team can provide the ultimate satisfaction of a clean shower and bathroom for your South Houston home.
For even further prevention and help with DIY cleanings, have your tile and grout professionally sealed. This service helps prevent stains and the excessive buildup of dirt and bacteria. Contact us to receive a free estimate on any of our professional services.
by Houston Groutsmith | Jun 10, 2019 | Grout Cleaning Houston, Tile Cleaning Houston
Is the tile in your home due for a grout and tile cleaning?
When dirt, grime, and mold overtake your grout and tile surfaces, a professional cleaning service can add many benefits to your home. But the key to a professional cleaning is the company you hire to do the job.
Not all cleaners will provide the same attention and care to your tile. So, before you turn your grout and tile investment over to a cleaning company, here is a list of questions to ask to help ensure you hire the right professional for your needs.
1. What types of cleaning products and processes do you utilize?
Every professional grout and tile cleaning service will have its own set of techniques and products. You will want to find a company that uses products you feel safe having in your home as well as processes that won’t damage the integrity of your grout and tile.
Many grout and tile cleaning companies will use heavy-duty carpet cleaners on your floors, which can do damage to your grout. Don’t be afraid to ask what repercussions their specific cleaning process could have on your home. You need to be ready with all of the facts.
The same goes for cleaning products. Don’t be afraid to ask about the potential effects of the cleaning products on the health of your family or pets. Chemical-filled products can get the task done but are not always the safest option.
2. What does a tile and grout cleaning look like for the rest of my home?
In the process of taking care of your grout and tile, a company should take care of the rest of your home as well. What lengths will the company go to in order to protect surrounding surfaces and belongings?
Carpets that touch the tile in questions should be covered. Will the company provide a layer of protection on floor surfaces that the cleaners will be walking across? Will they remove decoration pieces or give you notice to do so before cleaning your rooms?
3. Are you licensed and insured?
You may find that checking for licensing and insurance is extremely common among home contractors who work on major home construction projects, but these are also important to grout and tile cleaners. Any professional you have in your home should carry insurance to cover any incidents or accidents that may occur on your property. Without it, responsibility can fall to you as the homeowner.
4. What kind of warranties does your company provide?
The best part of a warranty is it can add peace of mind. A company that provides warranties on its work means that it will correct certain issues that arise within a specified timeframe. A company that provides a warranty stands behind its work and is ready to rectify mistakes should they occur. Ask about what occurrences the warranty will cover and how long it will last.
This can leave you with peace of mind, knowing that you have a reliable company ready to ensure your tile and grout cleaning is everything it needs to be.
5. How much does a cleaning cost, and how do you determine the price?
Ultimately, you’ll want to know how much you’ll be paying for your professional cleaning services. However, don’t just opt for the lowest bidder. Search for a company with a good reputation to ensure your money is money well spent.
But beyond mere price, ask a company how they determine the price of their services. This will help you understand not only what you will be paying but exactly what you will be paying for. Services rendered will be different from company to company, and by breaking down the pricing process, you’ll be better able to assess which company is giving you the best deal.
6. Can I see customer reviews on your work?
Endorsements from former clients can be a great indicator of the type of work you will receive from a company. Don’t be afraid to ask the companies you are interviewing for reviews from former clients. Companies with good reputations will be eager to show you.
You can also take some time to search their company website or other review sites like Yelp. These outside sites will have all manner of reviews, good and bad, if they exist. When sifting through reviews, look for indications that a professional cleaning service is timely, reliable, and a good communicator.
7. How many years have you been in business?
Experience is king. The longer a company has been in business, the more projects they have completed like yours. When you are looking for an effective grout and tile cleaning — the kind of cleaning that eliminates stains, mold, and deep-seated grime — more years mean more expertise, fewer problems, and quicker project turnaround.
8. How do I maintain my clean tile after your team leaves?
Worthwhile tile and grout cleaners are not in business just to get a check every time your tile gets dirty. They really desire to see your tile transformed — and last! They will have great tips and advice on what kind of products and maintenance your tile may need. You may consider having your tile and grout professionally sealed to help with the upkeep.
Worry-Free, Professional Cleaning Services
You deserve pristine tile in your home, and we can help. Our Houston Groutsmith goal is to provide South Houston metro homeowners with a safe and effective cleaning process, leaving you with tile you can be proud of. We use the latest technology with a non-acidic process to properly clean and care for all your grout and tile needs.
Our team is extremely friendly and helpful, and we are ready to answer any questions you may have about the services we provide. For more information on how our team can transform your tile, see our grout and tile cleaning services. And when you’re ready for a cleaning, contact us to get a free estimate and demo.
