A Tile Floor in Fairfax, VA Regained Its Original Look after an Outstanding Grout Cleaning

November 12, 2017

White is commonly associated with cleanliness and open spaces. That is why some people choose this color for certain areas of their home, especially smaller rooms. That was the case with this homeowner, who wanted to visually add some space to her bathroom since it was small. She always thought that a darker color would make it look cramped. That was her main motivation for having white tiles installed on her bathroom floor. The problem with white areas is that grime really stands out. As you can see in the pictures below, this bathroom had acquired an aged look over the years. The tiles looked dirty with grimy, stained grout lines. Fortunately, our soon-to-be client discovered that hiring a reliable company that could offer a grout cleaning in Fairfax, VA was all it would take for her bathroom to regain its original beauty.


This Fairfax resident had bought this house years ago, and she had to do some remodeling before moving in. One of the rooms she focused on was the bathroom. She wanted to install durable and stylish tiles. Space was an important factor when choosing the color. Since the bathroom was small, she thought that white would be the best choice. In her opinion, white spaces look more spacious than darker-colored spaces. Therefore, she chose pure white tiles with white grout lines. After a while, the tiles were not so white anymore. They had a smoky white hue that made them look dirty. The worst part was the grout between the tiles. The grout lines had cracked and crumbled, and the remaining grout had a brownish color, making the grime buildup evident.

Looking for an Expert
The homeowner decided to ask her best friend for advice. The friend, who had recently gone through a remodel himself, recommended that she look for a solution before it was too late. He said he had to completely replace his kitchen floor just because he didn't notice the signs of deterioration on time. Our homeowner went online and looked for companies that offer grout cleanings in Fairfax. She found Sir Grout Washington DC Metro among her top search results and decided to visit our website. After reading some testimonials, the woman made up her mind and contacted us. She scheduled a free, in-home consultation to get her floor evaluated.

Assessing the Surface
On the day of the assessment, our grout restorers went to the house and took a look at the bathroom floor. They immediately identified signs of deterioration and created an action plan to restore the floor. The homeowner agreed, and they scheduled a new appointment to carry out the procedure. Before leaving, our team asked some questions about her habitual cleaning routine. The homeowner said she frequently applied a mix of vinegar or lemon juice and water to remove the dirt. Then she would remove the solution with a regular cleaner found at the supermarket. Our specialists knew what had caused the damage.

Soap-Based Cleaners
It is important to mention that most cleaners found at supermarkets contain soap, which can contribute to your surface's deterioration. Soap-based cleaners leave a sticky film on hard surfaces that attracts dirt. This can lead to dirt buildup. Also, this waxy film can alter the color of your tiles. In fact, tiles that have been cleaned with appropriate cleaning products can stay clean much longer than ones that have been cleaned with soap-based cleaners.

Grout: Main Characteristics and Problems
Grout is crucial for installing a tile surface. It is used to fill in the space between the tiles. There are two types of grout: sanded or cementitious grout and epoxy grout. Sanded grout is more commonly used, but it is highly porous and can allow liquids and dirt to permeate its surface. This can lead to dirt buildup, staining, chipping, cracking, and even crumbling, which can result in tile detachment. To prevent this from happening, you should have your grout lines sealed so they do not absorb any liquids. In the case of this homeowner, the grout lines on the tile floor had not been sealed and acidic solutions had seeped into them. Such seepage caused the grout lines to dry out, discolor, and disintegrate in some areas.

The Process: Thorough Cleaning
A few days later, our technicians returned to the client's home and were prepared to perform the restoration. They began by cleaning the surface with the right cleaners and a high-speed scrubber. Next, they used vapor steam cleaning on the most difficult areas. This removed the deeply embedded grime and mold.

The Process: Color Sealing
The next stage of the procedure involved repairing the grout and sealing it to prevent it from getting damaged again in the future. For this step, our experts used ColorSeal, Sir Grout's proprietary grout sealant. It is especially designed to create a shield that protects your grout lines from liquids. ColorSeal can last as long as the grout itself if well-maintained. This state-of-the-art product recolors grout lines, making them look like new. Also, it comes in a myriad of colors, allowing homeowners to choose their favorite shade and match it to their tiles.

A Successful Outcome!
Once the job was done and the floor had achieved the desired appearance, our team showed the homeowner the results. She was very happy with the outcome. The woman thanked the team with a handshake and said that we had exceeded her expectations.

Maintenance Tips and Recommendations
Before our technicians left, they gave the client some recommendations on how to maintain the floor. They said that it was very important to use a soapless, pH-neutral cleaner to clean the surface on a regular basis. Another tip we gave her was to remove excess water after using the shower.

If your grout looks dark, grimy, and stained, you need professional help to restore it to its original appearance. Sir Grout Washington DC Metro knows how! We have the experience and staff you need to give your surfaces a fresh look. Contact us at (703) 997-8552.

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